How to use Groove on a computer that is running a personal firewall

This article describes how to use Microsoft Office Groove 2007 and earlier versions of Groove on a computer that is running a personal firewall. Because there are many personal firewalls that have different configuration options and interfaces, this article includes step-by-step instructions for Windows Firewall only.

If you use a personal firewall, you may have to configure the firewall to allow Groove traffic. Some personal firewalls, such as ZoneAlarm, allow or prevent connections based on network ports. Some firewalls, such as Windows Firewall and Norton Personal Firewall, can allow or restrict connections based on the associated application.

To use Groove with a personal firewall that restricts connections by type or by port, make sure that the firewall allows the following:

• Internet access.
• Outgoing connections on port 80.
• Outgoing and incoming connections on ports 2492 and 1211 for best performance. Groove uses these ports to obtain the most efficient communication.

To determine how to set these options, see the documentation for the personal firewall that you use.

To use Groove with a personal firewall that restricts connections by application, add Groove to the list of exceptions. For example, Windows Firewall in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and in later versions of Windows blocks incoming connections for most programs and services. If you have a current version of Groove, Groove detects this restriction at startup and then prompts you to add Groove to the list of exceptions. If you have an earlier version of Groove, you may have to manually add Groove to the list of exceptions. To do this on a computer that is running Windows XP, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Windows Firewall.
2. Click the Exceptions tab.
3. If Groove Application is listed, click to select the Groove Application check box, and then click OK. If Groove Application is not listed, click Add Program, click Groove Virtual Office in the list of programs, and then click OK.

If you use a different personal firewall, see the documentation for the firewall to determine how to set these options.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.