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Adding to the Windows Firewall Exception List
Windows Installer Editor Reference
The Windows Firewall that is included with Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP1,
and later, controls which applications and ports on the destination computer can accept
incoming traffic from the Internet or a network. When Windows Firewall detects
incoming traffic, it blocks the connection and prompts the end user to block or allow the
connection. If the end user allows the connection, the application or port is added to the
Windows Firewall exception list, so that future connections to that application or port are
not blocked.
On the Firewall Exceptions page, you can specify application files and ports to be added
to the Windows Firewall exception list during installation. This adds custom actions to
the installation, which add the exceptions to the Windows Firewall exception list. When
your application is installed, it can accept incoming traffic and open required ports on
the destination computer without end user intervention. This is useful for games and
other similar applications.
If your installation contains an exception that is already in the Windows Firewall
exception list on the destination computer, it will not overwrite that existing exception.
Also, only exceptions that are installed with your application are removed when your
application is uninstalled.
Example: Your installation installs a multi-player network game, which requires multiple
users to communicate with each other over the Internet. On computers that use
Windows Firewall, end users are prompted the first time another player tries to
communicate with them. If you add the port that the game uses to the Windows Firewall
exception list, then the game communication can occur without prompting the end
users.
Operating system notes
The ability to add Windows Firewall exceptions to an installation is not restricted by the
operating system that is running on your build computer. The operating system on the
destination computer determines whether the exceptions are implemented.
When the destination computer is running Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003
SP1, or later, the exceptions are added to the Windows Firewall exceptions list.
When the destination computer is running an operating system that does not have
Windows Firewall, the installation runs normally and the Windows Firewall
exceptions are ignored.
To add to the Windows Firewall exception list
1.
Select Installation Expert > Firewall Exceptions page.
2.
From Current Feature, select a feature or condition. (Because any item you add
must be assigned to a specific feature, you cannot add an item when All Features
is selected.)
Items that you add to a feature are installed on the destination computer only if the
feature is installed.
Items that you add to a condition are installed only if the feature is installed and the
condition is true.
3.
Click Add at the right of the Firewall Exceptions page.
The Exception Type dialog box appears.
4.
Specify the type of exception to add:
Assembling an Installation
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