Add an exclusion to windows security

While Windows Security does a great job when it comes to new file types that could be a threat to a Windows user, sometimes false-positive happens. You might have a file type that you know very well is not a security threat, but Windows identifies to safeguard you. The same applies to any process or program you know is not a problem. In this scenario, you can add that file type or process as an exclusion.

1. Type Windows Security in the Start menu, and click on it open it.
2. Navigate to Virus & threat protection.
3. Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings
4. Under Exclusions, click on Add an exclusion button.
5. Then select from files, folders, file types, or Process.

When you do it for the folder, the exclusion will apply to all subfolders within the folder as well. That said, while the File type, file, and folder exclusion is simple, Process exclusion needs a different approach.

Since there is no file browser, you need to enter the full path and filename of the process or program. This will make sure if the program launches, it will not be restricted. If you do not want to add a full path, you can add the exact name of the process. If it launches from anywhere, it will not be blocked.

You can further customize in two more ways.

• Add a path such as “C:ProcessFolde*” and it will exclude files opened by all processes located in that folder.
• If you use program-name*, then it will exclude files opened by all processes named test, regardless of the file extension.
• You can use environment variables in your process exclusions as well, such as %ALLUSERSPROFILE%ProgramFolderprogram-name.exe

Environmental variables allow you to exclude the program for all the users and control many scenarios.

Group Policy Method: Add a File type or Process Exclusion to Windows Security

Open Group Policy editor by typing gpedit.msc in the Run prompt( Win +R) followed by pressing the Enter key. Navigate to the following path:

Computer configuration > Administrative templates > Windows components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus > Exclusions.

You have the following exclusions—

• Extension,
• Path, and
• Process.

It is similar to what we have shown through the Security app. Still, it can be used by IT admins to apply for multiple computers or a computer running in a corporate environment.

I hope the process was easy to understand, and you have learned how to add exclusion through the UI and the Group Policy. In case you are using Windows 11/10 Home, you can enable Group Policy for it and then use this method.

This post will help you if Windows Defender Exclusions is not working.

Read next: How to exclude a folder from Windows Defender scan.

In Windows 10 Creators Update, there is a new app called Windows Defender Security Center. The app, formerly known as «Windows Defender Dashboard», has been created to help the user control his security and privacy settings in a clear and useful way. It combines all essential security features under a single dashboard. It can be used to add an exception to Windows Defender Virus Protection. Here is how.

Before you proceed, here is what you need to know. Don’t confused Windows Defender with Windows Defender Security Center. Windows Defender is the built-in anti-virus software which provides real-time protection against threats. The Windows Defender Security Center app is just a dashboard which allows you to track your protection state. It can be used to configure various security options like SmartScreen. It shows an icon in the system tray.

You can launch Windows Defender Security Center from the Start menu. Navigate to the letter «W» using the alphabet navigation feature of the new Start menu and click the «W» letter in the grid as shown below.

There, you’ll find the shortcut to the new Security Center app.

The app unifies many useful security options you might want to track and control. The user interface of the Windows Defender Security Center app comes with a toolbar on the left and the main area which occupies the rest of the window area.

Once you open the app, it shows a special start page. The start page comes with the following sections:

• Virus & threat protection
• Device performance & health
• Firewall & network protection
• Family options

Each section has its own icon. A special check mark indicates that a section has no issues.

Virus & threat protection is what we are looking for. Before proceeding, ensure that your user account has administrative privileges. Now, follow the instructions below.

To add an exception to Windows Defender in Windows 10, do the following.

1. Open Windows Defender Security Center as described above.
2. Click on the Virus & threat protection icon.
3. Click on the link Virus & threat protection settings.This will open the following page:
4. Scroll down to Exclusions and click on the link Add or remove exclusions.
5. The following page will open:Here, click on the button Add an exclusion.
   In the drop down menu select one of the following options:

   - File
   	- Folder
   	- File type
   	- Process

6. Specify the desired object to exclude, e.g. a folder and you are done.

Here is something you need to know.

File — this option removes a specific file from being scanned by Windows Defender.
Folder — this option removes a specific folder from being scanned by Windows Defender. All its contents will be excluded recursively.
File type — here you can add a file extension (e.g. *.txt) as an exclusion.
Process — this option can be used to add a process as an exclusion, so any file used by this process won’t be scanned by Windows Defender.

See the following screenshot:

That’s it.