Windows Firewall Malfunction

[MegaScience]

I've exhausted all possibilities for my router not letting me host. I believe Windows Firewall is blocking it.

When I try to open Windows Firewall, it asks:

Windows Firewall settings cannot be displayed because the associated service is not running. Do you want to start the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service?

[YES]    [NO]

When I try, it says this:

Could not start the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service on Local Computer.

Error 5: Access is Denied.

I've tried both solutions on support.microsoft.com and their last resort is reinstalling Windows so...any other suggestions?

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[MegaScience]

Hmm, no edit button.

Before you say anything, I tried Ephialtes guide and just plain portforward.com, not working for me.

[tails]

turn it off.

[rkynick]

turn it off.

[yuki]

turn it off.

..And so a Well-Thought out plan was created...

[Starcraftman]

I think the security difference between Windows firewall being on/off is minimal because windows firewall is the most FAIL firewall out there. Use a free one like Zone Alarm. They are better.

[MegaScience]

I never wanted to use Windows Firewall, but since it's service is off, I can't turn it off or add ports (or whatever) to it. You shouldn't read the topic name then insta post, read the topic post -_-

turn it off.

And obviously if it was already on I'd have tried to turn it off first, and mentioned that here. It's not on, so -_-

Just so you know, I think the service only gives control to the firewall, so it can still stay on without the service working. There's little locks in the top right of my network connection icons so...

[jordguitar]

If the service is not started then it is off. Also virus. You got one.

[MegaScience]

1: Used Trojan Remover to find any viruses, nothing.
2: I don't know how, but yesterday I went to Windows Firewall and it opened like it was always open o.o Not only that, shutting it off let me host :D

By the way, Trojan Remover is pretty good. One time I got a virus that disabled my virus scanners, spammed me with popups, and made fake icons for "Windows Firewall" and "Security Center" that went to some virus scanning site. Those icons were remade if you deleted them. Then I used Trojan Remover.

Not only did Trojan Remover actually turn on, it found all the stuff, stuff that remade icons and crap, and my computer was cured :D.