Fix: NOD32 Antivirus "Failed to read firewall configuration" Error

Symptoms:

You install ESET NOD32 antivirus on a Windows system and keep getting 

error messages saying:

 "Failed to read firewall configuration"

Even if you try to uninstall and re-install, the error remains..

How to Fix:

follow these steps for full cleanup of the NOD32 leftovers and a successful installation:

Uninstall ESET and then do the following: (please note: some of these files/folders/drivers/ may not be there, which is OK)

Boot into Safe mode

1. Delete files and folder

Folders:
C:\Program Files\ESET
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\ESET
C:\ProgamData\ESET (vista)

Registry keys:
-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESET
-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ESET

2. Go to Window's Services and disable ESET Services
a. ESET Service
b. ESET Http Server

3. Go to Device Manager and disable drivers for ESET.

a. In Device Manager, go to View on the menu bar and select "Show Hidden devices". This opens up "Non-Pug and Play Drivers" in devices manager .
b. Disable "ehdrv" and "epfwtdir" drivers.

Boot back into normal mode and download "Windows Installer Cleanup Utility":
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;290301

Run this program and make sure ESET is gone from the list.

Make sure you have the latest Windows Update and any other anti-virus program removed.

Reinstall ESET.


Note:
It is recommended to install SP1 or SP2 for a Vista system.
Also, always make sure you try to install the latest version of the antivirus from ESET.

KB971033: How to Block Or Uninstall Windows 7 Activation Update

Microsoft has pushed their latest Windows 7 Activation Update checker which checks whether Windows 7 is activated legally through Microsoft or it has been cracked using several activation methods. Installing this update creates a process that checks for activation method of the Windows every now and then to see if the Windows is legal.

In some cases even legit licenses suffer from these genuine validation warnings.

Fortunately Microsoft has made it easy for the people who don’t want this update to uninstall it. If you haven’t downloaded and installed this update then you can disable it using the following method:

Block Windows 7 Activation Update KB971033 Installation

1. Go to Start Menu and write Windows Update in the Start Menu Search
2. Select Windows Update to go to Windows Update program
3. Select Optional Updates
4. Search for the update labeled “Update for Windows 7 (KB971033)”
5. Right click it and select Hide Update

This will disable this update from automatically installing into your system.

Uninstall Windows 7 Activation Update KB971033

If you have already installed this update. Follow these steps to uninstall this update the safer way.

1. Go to Control Panel –> Programs –> View installed Updates
2. Search for “Update for Windows 7 (KB971033)”
3. Right click it and select Uninstall.
4. It is now advised to block the updated as described above to prevent it from reinstalling itself.

Disable the Windows 7 Activation Update KB971033

If the update is already installed and you don't want to remove it completely, you can just prevent it from running using a "Software Restriction Policy". 

This procedure will work on Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise only, because Home versions don't include the Local Security Policy tool needed for the job.

Open Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Administrative Tools > Local Security policy
Right click on Software Restriction Policies and create new Policy
Go to Additional Rules and right-click for more options.
Create two New Hash Rules and on each rule browse and choose one of these files:

C:\Windows\System32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe
C:\Windows\System32\Wat\WatUX.exe

Apply, close & Restart Windows.
The update was installed but the operating system is now blocking it from ever running.