Change Windows Firewall state with Group Policy Management Console

Firewall Management is displaying the needs attention indicator . Click the indicator to see the message. If you receive the following error message:

"Windows Firewall is controlled by a Group Policy. The plugin does not operate while Windows Firewall is controlled by a Group Policy. Windows Firewall should be in <Not Configured> state in Group Policy Editor"

Then Firewall Management is unable to manage the firewall on the endpoint because the Windows Firewall is already controlled by group policy.

To change the firewall state with Group Policy Management Console:

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Type Group Policy Management.
3. For your group policy, navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security > Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security Local Group Policy Object.
4. Click Windows Defender Firewall Properties.
5. Set the following to Not Configured:
   • Firewall state
   • Inbound connections
   • Outbound connections
     
6. Verify the Inbound Rules and Outbound Rules sections are empty.
   
7. Click Ok. 

This resets the Windows Firewall to its default, unconfigured state, allowing the Firewall Management plugin to manage the Windows Firewall on the endpoint.