While attempting to set up your Xbox 360 console as a Media Center Extender, you receive the error message: "Xbox 360 Setup is Finished. The correct ports cannot be opened"

While attempting to set up your Xbox 360 console as a Media Center Extender, you receive the error message: The current configuration of the Windows Firewall is preventing a successful connection to the Xbox 360.

This issue occurs when you've turned off Windows Firewall on the computer. During Media Center Extender Setup, Windows Firewall has to be updated to allow communication between the Windows Media Center-based computer and the Xbox 360 console. If the Windows Firewall service has been stopped, these updates cannot occur. Therefore the Windows Media Center Extender Setup program won't install.

Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect the computer.

1. Start Windows Firewall.
   1. Click Start and then click Run
   2. Copy and paste (or type) the following, and then press ENTER:
      services.msc
   3. In the list of services, double-click Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
   4. On the General tab under Service status, click Start.
   5. Click OK.
2. Run the Windows Media Center Extender Setup program again.

If you previously did not use Windows Firewall and want to return to that configuration, follow these steps:

Note If you want to turn off Windows Firewall, make sure that you wait until after you install Windows Media Center Extender.

Warning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

1. Click Start and then click Run.
2. Copy and paste (or type) the following, and then press ENTER:
   firewall.cpl
3. On the General tab, click Off (not recommended), and then click OK.

For more information about Media Center Extenders, visit the following Web site:

Additional support

Please visit the following Web site for information about how to contact Xbox Customer Support: