Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus and antimalware program that comes with newer versions of Windows. It is designed to detect, prevent and remove threats from a computer. However, it is possible to exclude specific programs from Windows Defender scans. This can be beneficial in cases where a particular program is known to be safe, but Windows Defender keeps detecting it as a potential threat.
Excluding a program from Windows Defender scans is a simple process that only requires a few steps. Here’s what to do:
1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing “Settings”.
2. Select “Update & Security”.
3. Under “Windows Defender” section, select “Exclusions”.
4. Here you will see all the program exclusions, if any, that have been added. Click on “Add an exclusion”.
5. From the drop-down menu, choose the type of exclusion you would like to add. The available options are File, Folder, Process and File Type. Choose the one that best applies to your needs. For example, if you are trying to exclude a program, you would select “Process”.
6. Enter the path of the file or folder you wish to exclude. If you are unsure of the path, you can use the “Browse…” button to find it.
7. Once you have entered the path, click “Add”.
The program should now be excluded from Windows Defender scans. You can repeat these steps to add additional programs and files to the exclusions list.
It is important to keep in mind that while excluding certain programs and files may help to improve scan performance, it can also present a security risk. If you know a particular program is safe, it is generally best not to exclude it unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, you should always keep your system up-to-date with security patches as this will help mitigate potential risks.