Article ID: 947252 - Last Review: February 8, 2008 - Revision: 1.1

Error message when you try to use the Remote Debugging Monitor in Visual Studio on a Windows Vista-based computer: "The Windows Firewall is currently blocking remote debugging"

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to use the Remote Debugging Monitor (Msvsmon.exe) in Microsoft Visual Studio on a Windows Vista-based computer, you may receive the following error message in the Configure Firewall for Remote Debugging dialog box:
The Windows Firewall is currently blocking remote debugging.
When you try to unblock the Remote Debugging Monitor, you receive the following error message:
Could not configure the Windows Firewall. Incorrect function.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Manually set the Windows Firewall settings to unblock the Remote Debugging Monitor. For more information, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site:
    http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb385831.aspx (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb385831.aspx)
  2. Click Start
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    the Start button
    , type msvsmon /nofirewallwarn in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start
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    the Start button
    , type Notepad in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
  2. Copy the following lines to Notepad.
    netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Microsoft Visual Studio Remote Debugging Monitor - UDP 137" dir=in action=allow enable=yes localport=137 protocol=udp
    
    netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Microsoft Visual Studio Remote Debugging Monitor - UDP 138" dir=in action=allow enable=yes localport=138 protocol=udp
    
    netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Microsoft Visual Studio Remote Debugging Monitor - TCP 139" dir=in action=allow enable=yes localport=139 protocol=tcp
    
    netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Microsoft Visual Studio Remote Debugging Monitor - TCP 445" dir=in action=allow enable=yes localport=445 protocol=tcp
    
  3. In Notepad, click Save on the File menu.
  4. In the File name field, type file_name.bat, and then click Save.
  5. Run the batch file.

STATUS

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

APPLIES TO
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
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