The time has finally come to retire Win XP. I will be replacing XP on three PCs with Win 7.
In the past, when installing XP prior to installing NIS, I would disable the Windows Firewall and leave it disabled.
However, according to "Windows 7 Inside and Out - Deluxe Edition" (see below). So, what should I do? Thanks.
In Windows 7 (unlike earlier versions of Windows), Windows Firewall can coexist with third-party firewall programs. Windows now defines firewall categories (such as port filtering and IPsec filtering); different firewalls can handle different categories, letting you use the best tool for each task. A properly written third-party firewall can take ownership of a category, and Windows Firewall no longer protects that category, even when Windows Firewall is turned on. If the third-party firewall is stopped or removed, however, and no other firewall is registered for the category, Windows Firewall takes over.
Bott, Ed; Carl Siechert; Craig Stinson (2011-06-30). Windows® 7 Inside Out, Deluxe Edition (Inside Out (Microsoft Hardcover)) (Kindle Locations 10411-10415). Microsoft Press. Kindle Edition.