Why can't I access my local hard drive when the firewall is active?

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

On Windows XP, after installing the paid version of Avast, if I open a command prompt and try to access a UNC path like “\David\Backups” (which translates to a local drive on my computer) I get the command prompt error message “The network path was not found”.

If I then stop the firewall in the Avast user interface, I can then access the path with no problems.

[Interestingly, if I then re-start the firewall I can STILL access the path until I reboot. ???]

I have the Home/Low risk zone set, so why can’t I access a drive on my own computer? Is there anything I can do about this? I want the UNC path because this is in a script used by more than one computer on my home network.

2

Hi goobster,

You can add a packet rule in the avast! Firewall, to access your drive through UNC path. For that go to,

avast! GUI → Firewall → Firewall Settings → Expert Settings → Policies → Packet Rules(on bottom right) → Check the Windows Networking In and Windows Networking Out. → Click on OK.

Try to access the drive and report back. Hope you will be able to access it.

Have a wonderful day. Good Karma! :slight_smile:

3

Thanks iYogiSolutions1, adding the Windows networking to the packet rules fixed it. I can now successfully access UNC paths.

4

You are welcome.

5

Thanks Same problem and this fixed it.

6

Yes fixed it for me also Many thanks