NIS did not turn off Windows Firewall?

I have been using NIS since around 2003, and all of the previous versions of recent years have always turned off the Windows Firewall, Security Center, and Defender.

Now, I have 2 XP Pro 32 bit PC's, upgraded both from NIS 2008 to NIS 2009. I had an issue with one of them, so I had to un-install NIS 2009, used the Norton_Removal_Tool and re-installed NIS 2009 fresh, without upgrading from NIS 2008.

 

I don't know why, but I just happened to check the Windows Firewall to make sure it was disable as it had always been in the past. To my surprise, is was actually enabled on BOTH PC's and, based on the number of enties  in the exceptions list, it has been enabled for a LONG time! Even, most likely, BEFORE I upgraded from NIS 2008 to NIS 2009.

 

Anyone know why this might be happening? What is the best course of action, should I manually remove all items from the Windows firewall exceptions, de-select the local area network under the advanced tab, then click OK, then turn off the Windows Firewall? Or, can I safely just turn off the Windows Firewall and re-boot the PC?

 

I don't actually know how long the Windows Firewall has been enabled along WITH the built-in firewall of NIS, probably the better part of a year.

 

Any help will be appreciated,

thank you.