FWP_E_IN_USE (0X8032000A): Fix "Object Referenced" Error Now

This Error Drives Me Nuts Too

You try to delete a firewall filter or WFP provider, and Windows snaps back with FWP_E_IN_USE (0x8032000A) – "The object is referenced by other objects and, therefore, cannot be deleted." I've been there, staring at the command line, muttering. The good news: it's almost always a stuck reference, not corruption.

Quick Fix – Kill the Reference

Skip the registry hunting. Do this in order:

1. Close everything – every browser, every VPN client, every security tool. Some apps hold WFP providers open even when idle.
2. Open an admin Command Prompt (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin)).
3. Run netsh wfp show state – this dumps active filters. Look for the exact object name from your error.
4. If you see it, run netsh wfp delete filter <filter-id> – replace with the actual ID.
5. Still blocked? Reset Winsock: netsh winsock reset then reboot.

That clears 90% of cases. The error triggers most often when you're uninstalling a third-party firewall (I see this with Comodo and ZoneAlarm) or manually removing a rule while Windows Defender is still scanning.

Why It Happens

The Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) is a layered system – think of it as a stack of sticky notes. When you try to pull out the bottom note, the ones above it yell "I'm sitting here!" The FWP_E_IN_USE code means the filter or provider you want to delete is still referenced by another running filter, a socket, or a driver. The system refuses because it can't safely orphan that reference.

In my years running a help desk, I've found this happens most often after a partial uninstall of a VPN or security suite. The main app goes away, but its WFP callout driver (like vwififlt.sys for virtual WiFi) sticks around, holding the reference.

Less Common Variations

1. Stuck WFP Callout Driver

If netsh wfp can't find the object but the error persists, the reference is probably in a kernel-mode driver. Check running drivers with fltmc instances or driverquery. If you see a suspicious minifilter (example: avc3.sys from an old antivirus), disable it:

fltmc unload avc3

Yes, you need to know the exact driver name. Use driverquery /v | findstr /i "filter" to list them.

2. WFP Provider Lock in Windows Defender

Windows Defender's real-time protection can hold a reference to its own WFP objects. You'll see this when trying to delete a custom firewall rule you created. Turn off real-time protection temporarily (Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings). Delete the rule, then turn protection back on.

3. Corrupt WFP Store

Rare but nasty. If none of the above works, your WFP store might be corrupted. You'll see this after a failed Windows update. Rebuild it:

netsh wfp reset

This resets ALL WFP settings back to defaults – including Windows Firewall rules. You'll need to reapply any custom rules afterward. Run this only as a last rescue.

Prevention for Next Time

• Uninstall security apps properly – always use the vendor's removal tool (e.g., McAfee has MCPR.exe). A simple uninstall leaves WFP providers behind.
• Don't delete filters while a scan is running – Windows Defender's real-time scanning can grab references unpredictably.
• Use the correct permissions – run your delete commands as SYSTEM, not just Admin. The SYSTEM account has deeper access to WFP. Use psexec -i -s cmd.exe from Sysinternals to open a SYSTEM shell.
• Reboot after uninstalling anything network-related – it saves you the headache of chasing orphaned references.

I've seen this error trip up IT pros and home users alike. The fix is almost always a clean reset of the active references, not deep surgery. Start with the quick steps above, and you'll likely be back to normal in five minutes.