Windows Firewall and McAfee Firewall are both turned off

Hi.

Try restart Windows Firewall service manually follow these steps:

1.- Click Start , and then type Services in the Search box.
2.- Right-click Services. and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted, enter your administrator user name and password, and then press Enter.
3.- Scroll until you see Windows Firewall, and then double-click Windows Firewall.
4.- Click the Startup type box, and then click Automatic.
5.- If Service status is Stopped, click Start.
6.- Click Apply, and then click OK.
7.- Scroll until you see Base Filtering Engine, and then double-click Base Filtering Engine.
8.- If Service status is Stopped, click Start.
9.- Click Apply, and then click OK.
10.- Restart Windows and confirm whether Windows Firewall is enabled.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted on the status for further assistance.

Despite running Services as admin, when I open Windows Firewall (actually it is Windows Defender Firewall) and Base Filtering Engine, all options are greyed out.  However, all settings are already on what you suggested, i.e. Automatic, not stopped.

Have just started using Windows 10 (after years on Windows 8) and am generally happy with it, but I am constantly getting a notification telling me that "Windows Firewall and McAfee Firewall are both turned off; tap or click to see available options".

But I go to Windows Security, under in Firewall & network protection it says "no actions needed" ... and "Firewall is on".

So what gives?  How do I stop this silly message appearing?

You should get rid of the McAfee software completely, as it will sooner or later lead to grief (if it hasn't already).  The built-in Windows Defender and firewall should be all you need. 

What I can recommend is that you completely repair the operating system, but first you must backup your files, although with this method the data is not lost but it is a good idea to backup as a security measure, third-party applications if they are uninstalled, check this link.

https://www.intowindows.com/repair-windows-10-i...

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

You should get rid of the McAfee software completely, as it will sooner or later lead to grief (if it hasn't already).  The built-in Windows Defender and firewall should be all you need. 

I will probably do that... I never intended to renew the subscription after the free trial ended.  So I'll just get rid of it now.

What I can recommend is that you completely repair the operating system

Seriously?  I've literally only had this new PC for about three days... surely too early to be having to "completely repair the operating system"??

You should get rid of the McAfee software completely, as it will sooner or later lead to grief (if it hasn't already).  The built-in Windows Defender and firewall should be all you need. 

I will probably do that... I never intended to renew the subscription after the free trial ended.  So I'll just get rid of it now.

Go to the McAfee site and get their removal tool.  It's the best way to make sure that it's completely gone.  Go directly to step two in the instructions.

What I can recommend is that you completely repair the operating system...

Good lord.  That's absolutely unnecessary at this point!

Go to the McAfee site and get their removal tool.  It's the best way to make sure that it's completely gone.  Go directly to step two in the instructions.

I had already used the standard Windows uninstall on anything McAfee... which I guess is step 1 on the link you posted.  Fingers crossed it has done the job... not had any messages yet about firewall not being enabled, but it's early days.