multiple active firewall profiles in Windows 7.

Windows Firewall:


Windows Firewall was first time introduced in Windows XP SP2. All network connections goes through the firewall. You can set exceptions for programs you want to have network access. 
Windows Firewall settings are determined by the profile that you are using. Windows XP supports multiple firewall profile, but you can have only one profile active, even when you have multiple network adapters connected. 


Firewall in Windows 7:

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 supports Private, Public, or Domain firewall profile that can be active  each network adapter that is most appropriate for the type of network to which it is connected.


This means that if you are at a outdoor with a wireless hotspot and connect to your corporate domain network by using a VPN connection, then the Public profile continues to protect the network traffic that does not go through the tunnel, and the Domain profile protects the network traffic that goes through the tunnel. 


This also addresses the issue of a network adapter that is not connected to a network. In Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, this unidentified network will be assigned the Public profile, and other network adapters on the computer will continue to use the profile that is appropriate for the network to which they are attached.


How to change the Firewall profile:


To change the firewall profile, launch the Windows Firewall from control panel -> System and Security -> Windows Firewall.  
In the Windows firewall you will find Advanced Settings. On the advanced Settings dialog you will find the Windows firewall properties and you can even modify the settings of the profile.