How to add the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in to MMC

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security in Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008 is a stateful, host-based firewall that filters incoming and outgoing connections based on its configuration. While typical end-user configuration of Windows Firewall still takes place through the Windows Firewall Control Panel, advanced configuration now takes place in a Microsoft Management Control (MMC) snap-in named Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. The inclusion of this snap-in not only provides an interface for configuring Windows Firewall locally, but also for configuring Windows Firewall on remote computers and by using Group Policy.

To open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security in Control Panel

1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, click System and Security (in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2), or System and Maintenance (in Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.
3. Click Administrative Tools at the bottom of the screen.
4. Double-click Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

To add the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security snap-in to MMC

1. Click Start, and then in the Start Search box, type mmc, and then press ENTER.
2. If a User Account Control prompt appears, verify the information presented, and then provide the requested permission or credentials.
3. On the File menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in.
4. In the Available snap-ins list box, click Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, and then click Add.
5. If you are running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, select either Local computer, or else select Another computer and then type the name of the computer you want to manage. Click Finish when you are done.
6. Click OK.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 to add Group Policy Management Console or other snap-ins that you want to use. You might also want to add Event Viewer to view audit log files.
8. Before you close the snap-in, save and name the custom console for future use.

Although typical end-user configuration of Windows Firewall still takes place through the Windows Firewall program in Control Panel, advanced configuration now takes place in the Microsoft Management Control (MMC) snap-in named Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. This snap-in not only provides an advanced interface for configuring Windows Firewall locally, but also for configuring Windows Firewall on remote computers by using Group Policy. Firewall settings are now integrated with IPsec settings, allowing for some synergy: Windows Firewall can now allow traffic based on whether it is secured by IPsec.