Can't access certain windows functions.

Feb 12, 2018
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Hi,

It appears my Windows firewall is off and I'm unable to switch it on. I tried to switch it on from the Action centre, but it just hangs, doing nothing. I've gone into services.msc to see that windows firewall is already on Automatic settings, but when I try to start it, it comes up with "Windows could not start the Windows Firewall on Local Computer." I went to the following:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/fix-windows-could-not-start-the-windows-firewall-on-local-computer
and did as told and no change.
I then read a comment about it could be that I've not updated windows, which I haven't for a while as I switched off updating a while ago. However, when I tried to turn it on, it again hangs.
I'm also unable to turn on System restore.
I've run virus scans and there's no malware on my computer.

Can anyone offer any suggestions please?

I'm running Windows 7