Using xmlrpc under XAMPP

[passenger53]

I wish to utilize xmlrpc for a WP plugin that interfaces to Adobe Lightroom. I have struggled with this very much, mostly because I'm a noob and have much to learn. When I attempt a connection, I get a 404 error. If I copy xmlrpc.php from its original location at c:xampp\php to c:\htdocs\wordpress, it will work as expected.

Here are my questions:

1. Shouldn't the original location (c:xampp\php) work, as I would think it should be in the PATH statement?

2. Is it appropriate to allow xmlrpc to work by copying the file or am I created a security hole?

3> Is there a better way to make xmlrpc work as desired?