Please follow these steps to add XML Spin to the "safe rules" within the Windows Vista Firewall.

To load the "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security"

1. Log on as an administrator
2. Press the start button and click on "Control Panel"
3. Left-click on the "Classic View" option in the left hand panel of the control panel screen.
4. Click on the "Administrative Tools" icon.
5. Look for and click on the "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" short-cut icon.
6. The "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" dialogue will appear.

To allow XML admin to accept incoming connections and to make outgoing connections you need to configure an "Inbound Rule" and an "Outbound Rule" rule for it, as follows:

Configuring "Inbound Rules" for XMLSpin

1. In the left-hand column of the "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" dialogue, left click on the "Inbound Rules" icon.
2. Now, on the right hand column that appears, left click on the "New Rule..." link, the "New Inbound Rule Wizard" will appear.
3. Make sure the "Program" radio button is selected and then press the "Next" button at the bottom of the dialogue.
4. Next, make sure the "This program path" radio button is selected and then press the "Browse" button, to its right.
5. Navigate to the "xmlspin.exe" file. (The default location for the "xmlspin.exe" is: C:\Program Files\Configur8orV4\XMLSpin).
6. Left click on the "xmlspin.exe" file and press "Open" button, it will now appear with its path to the left.
7. Press the "Next" button.
8. Make sure the "Allow the connection" radio button is selected and then press the "Next" button at the bottom of the dialogue.
9. Tick the appropriate options for when your new rule should apply. Each option has a description that you will need to read. Usually you would leave all 3 options ticked.
10. Press the "Next" button and then name your new inbound rule and type a description for it. This is useful for a future user to ascertain the importance of this rule.
11. Press the "Finish Button" and your new in-bound rule will be complete.

XMLSpin needs to communicate both inbound and outbound so now an outbound rule needs creating.

Configuring "Outbound Rules" for XMLSpin

1. In the left column of the "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" dialogue, click on the "Outbound Rules" icon.
2. Now, on the right hand column that appears, click on the "New Rule..." link and the "New Outbound Rule Wizard" will appear.
3. Make sure the "Program" radio button is selected and then press the "Next" button at the bottom of the dialogue.
4. Next, make sure the "This program path" radio button is selected and press the "Browse" button on its right.
5. Navigate to the "xmlspin.exe" file. (The default location for the "xmlspin.exe" is: C:\Program Files\Configur8orV4\XMLSpin).
6. Left click on the "xmlspin.exe" file and press "Open" button, it will now appear with its path to the left.
7. Press the "Next" button.
8. Make sure the "Allow the connection" radio button is selected and then press the "Next" button at the bottom of the dialogue.
9. Tick the appropriate options for when your new rules applies. Each option has a description that you will need to read. Usually you would leave all 3 options ticked.
10. Press the "Next" button and then name your new inbound rule and type a description for it. This is useful for a future user to ascertain the importance of this rule.
11. Press the "Finish Button" and your new out-bound rule will be complete.

If you use an alternative 3rd Party firewall or have additional hardware firewall protection you will need to consult the documentation that came with it.