How to Allow Limewire Through Vista's Firewall

If you live to download music like I do, you've probably heard of limewire by now. If not, it's a great means of getting music which I highly suggest you look into that. I have recently switched to Microsoft's Windows Vista, which in hindsight really was the biggest mistake of my life to date. I am down right frustrated with everything that Vista has to offer to me, which at this point has been nothing but problems. I would like to, if I may, save you a bit of frustration and help you enable limewire and other programs on your computer.

After downloading and installing the program from the website, http://www.limewire.com attempt to run the program. In the bottom left hand corner there are connection strength bars that turn from red to green when connected. Right next to that there is a picture of a planet. This planet basically represents you, and if there is a brick wall in front of it you will not be able to connect. There is a very simple way to bypass this.

First, shut down and disconnect limewire. Next go to start, then control panel. From that screen click on the security heading, this will direct you to a new window where you will see different options. Choose "allow a program through Window's Firewall" under the Window's Firewall heading. Windows Vista will then ask you to allow the action to take place, click allow. If necessary click the exceptions tab, at the bottom of the window there will be a button that says "add program". Click that button. From there you will need to click browse and find limewire on your computer. Once you have done that, click okay and then apply. You will now be able to use this program.

If you have another form of protection on your computer such as Norton you will also need to configure the firewall on that program also. This can be done by going to the icon tray at the bottom of your screen. Find the icon that represents that program and right click on it. Then click on settings. Doing this will take you to where you can pick your firewall settings. Follow the same steps that you previously did to allow the program through Window's Vista's firewall. If you are comfortable with the idea, I would recommend uninstalling the second firewall. This would make it easier to add programs in the future and save you a great deal of time.