Firewall - allow wmpnetwk.exe or not?

[Avastfan1]

Dear Avast Forum,

I installed and updated to Windows Media Player 11.  Should I allow or deny the following firewall alert (ZoneAlarm) which appears everytime I boot my computer?

'ZoneAlarm Security Alert

Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service is trying to access the trusted zone.

Identification: Identified
Application: wmpnetwk.exe
Destination IP: 127.0.0.1ort 1029

More Information Available:

This Program has previously asked for Internet access.

SmartDefense Advisor:
Recommendation: Select Remember this setting and click allow.'

My setup is Window$ XP SP3, ZA Pro, Avaast and MBAM.

I did look at the 'more info' button. However I find the information from ZA sometimes a little to general and non-specific.

Thanks in advance,

Avastfan1

PS: I realise this is the Avast forum but the advice and answers I receive here are first-class!!

[bob3160]

SmartDefense Advisor:
Recommendation: Select Remember this setting and click allow.'

You've already received an informed answer.

[Eddy]

If you don't need/want the media sharing, just disable it.
Tools > Options > Sharing > disable sharing

[Avastfan1]

Dear Bob and Eddy,

Thank you for your responses. I clicked on tools, options then library then 'configure sharing'.

Surprisingly the 'Share my media' box under sharing settings was already deselected.

Does this mean that I didn't fix it?

How can I prevent Window$ Media Player from initiating the outbound connection every time my computer starts up?

- In my 'startup' folder on the start menu there are no items relating to Media Player
- I have been all through the options menu items and found nothing to the equivalent of 'start Media Player on computer boot

Your help would be much appreciated.

To be honest I would never allow any Window$ service to establish outbound connections.

Thanks in advance!

Avastfan1

[Eddy]

Try this:
Go where I said (Tools > Options > Sharing > disable sharing), enable it, close wmp, reboot, go there again, disable it, close wmp, reboot. See if that solves it. Sometimes windows is for a unknown reason not storing a changed setting.

[bob3160]

Sometimes it also helps to reboot once a change has been implemented.