Here's another post addressing this problem.
The only problem is that the things I'm finding are for Vista and Windows 7 and I'm not sure that it's safe to use them with 8.
I can't tell you how many time I've wished I left well enough alone. LOL
I down loaded the registry files but haven't done anything with them.
Mike
Manual Fix
Download both the registry files
Windows firewall - Firewall
Base filtering engine - BFE
Launch them,You should get a UAC prompt now
Click YES & Restart your PC
Now,Press Windows+ R key and type
regedit and click ok
go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\BFE
Right click on it-permissions
Click on ADD and type
Everyone and click ok
Now Click on Everyone
Below you have permission for users
Select full control and click ok
Now,open RUN and type
services.msc and click ok
start base filtering engine service and then windows firewall service
If you still have this error Windows could not start Windows Firewall on local Computer. See event log, if non-windows services contact vendor. Error code 5.
Download and launch this key,click YES
Shared access
give full control permission to this key similar to previous one HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SharedAccess
Right click on it -permissions
Click on Add and type...
Everyone and select Full control
You should able to start firewall now
You may also be missing security center windows defender ,BITS and windows update services
Download
Security center -wscsvc
Windows defender - windefend
BITS - BITS
Windows update - wuauserv
Launch them and click YES when you get a UAC prompt
Good luck