I am using two computers to play a two player network game: one is a Windows 11 Pro machine and one is a Windows 7 Ultimate machine. The Windows 7 machine is locked out of Internet access by means of Parental Control.

The reason I blocked my Windows 7 computer out of Internet access was that I am under the impression that it will be vulnerable to hackers. At the same time, I still want to use my Windows 7 computer for basic functions, offline network storage, and IPX/SPX/TCP/UDP network gaming, while being protected from outside threats. Perhaps that is a misconception, but for my purpose, I would like to still usage until it breaks down permanently and yet protect it from whatever I can protect from it. I would opt to use Windows 10, but I have no drivers supporting that operating system.

All was well until I turned off the Windows 7 computer and turned it back on as a test. When I tested games Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour and the legacy versions of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne ([b]not[/b] the new Reforged version), I can see no games being created when there were. Thinking it was Parental Controls that created the problem, I disabled it, but the problem persisted nonetheless, especially when I reinstated Internet access to the Windows 7 computer, but there were no resolutions.

I asked around the Internet, but I have yet to have an answer. I asked OpenAI, but the bot would just offer generic solutions that do not pertain to the problem. I tried looking for DirectPlay, but while Windows 11 has it, Windows 7 had no such option.

One thing that might help: I enabled and disabled Parental Control by checking and unchecking the topmost checkbox of the page respectively, I did not go through with the Clear Schedule buttons located below. Should I do that?

Anything that might help me is welcome.

I have been using TP-Link products in the past and I have found satisfaction in using them. I will still continue using TP-Link, as I am a pleased patron.

Thank you.