I have been following this error on another THREAD. There have been a couple of resources there that have helped I guess and I'll refer to them:

Check for the service for Windows Firewall Service if it is started or not.

1. Click on Start

2. In the start Search box type Services

3. Right Click on - RUN AS ADMIN

Check if the below mentioned services has the mentioned status and start up type.

windows firewall Started Automatic\Manual.

base filtering ENGINE Started Automatic\Manual.

windows firewall autorization driver Started Automatic\Manual.

Also check the dependency services that are required for Windows Firewall Service to run.

To check that double click on the service and click on the dependency tab.

Under base filtering engine it shows automatic and it is not started. Under its dependencies there are two dependencies one being: DCOM Server Process Launcher when I go and find that service it is SET to automatic and it is started. The other being RPC Endpoint Mapper it also is set to automatic and it is started as well. When I try to start the Base Filtering Engine service it gives me this error "Windows could not start the Base Filtering Engine service on Local Computer Error 5: Access is denied." Though I'm running the Services program as Administrator.

I'm having the same problem.

Look and see if this file is missing from your machine -c:\windows\system32\drivers\mdsdrv.sys

That is the firewall authorization driver that is mentioned in the dependencies for the windows firewall. For some reason, my driver is missing. I haven't removed any system files.. and this is the first time I've seen that behavior.


I have GONE to the mentioned location and I'm missing this file as well. The only fix that the other people have reported as a might work possibility is to do a clean install. I really don't WANT to go through that again! Any help is greatly appreciated!