I am wondering whether anyone knows what the difference is between enabling
items in the Advanced->Settings of the Windows Firewall versus enabling the
ports in the Exceptions list.

For example, Advanced->Settings includes IMAP. Enabling it presumably allows
IMAP traffic through the firewall. Is there a difference between doing it
that way or just adding the relevant ports to the Exceptions List where it
would appear I have more control (eg: limiting connections to my internal
IPs or to designated external IPs)

Thanks, Stephan