Error message when you try to start a network projector on a Windows Vista-based client computer: "Unable to change Windows Firewall settings"

Consider the following scenario in the Active Directory domain environment:

• You configure a Group Policy object for "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security."
• You customize the "Rule merging" settings of the firewall properties to "No" in the Group Policy.
• You configure the "Connect to a Network Projector" rule group and set the rules to "Enabled" and "Allow."
• In the clients local firewall configuration, the "Connect to a Network Projector" rule group is set to "Enabled" and "Allow."

In this scenario, when you try to start a network projector on a Windows Vista-based client computer, you may receive the following message:When you click Yes to allow the computer to communicate with the network projector over the network, you receive the following error message:

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix on Windows Vista-based computer, you must have Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Vista SP2 installed.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information notes

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and MUM files (.mum) installed for each environment are listed separately. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about the Windows Firewall rules, visit the following Web site:

Additional file information for Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista