There is a difference how firewall works on Windows XP and Windows 7 - there are two different firewalls, actually. Windows XP uses those miniports (NDIS Intermediate Driver) which creates “fake” network adapters to filter traffic. Windows 7 implements filters directly and thus there is no need for miniports (Windows Filtering Platform).

Windows 7 way is better, shinier and also less problematic but also relatively new. Windows XP is tested through time and when it works, it’s rock solid but with several major drawbacks making it my little nightmare when deployed to millions of users. :slight_smile: