How to Add Files and Folders Exclusions in Windows Defender Antivirus?

Are you getting false positives with Windows Defender Antivirus? Windows Defender Antivirus includes an option to exclude files and folders, as well as file types and processes from getting scanned and blocked. Here are the steps to exclude files, folders and other items from getting scanned on Windows 10.

 

Step 1: Open the Windows Security app via

1. icon in the notification area on the taskbar.

2. Search the Start menu for Windows Security.

3. Open an area from Windows Settings.

Step 2: Click Windows Defender Security Center > Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection option.

Step 3: Under Exclusions, click Add or remove exclusions option > Add an exclusion button.

Step 4: Select the content you want to exclude from Windows Defender Antivirus:

File: Excludes only one file per exclusion.
Folder: Excludes a folder and its content, including sub-folders.
File type: Instead of excluding files and folder locations, you can configure the antivirus to ignore files with a specific extension no matter their location.
Process: Excludes background processes by name.

Step 5: Continue with the on-screen directions to add the new exclusion depending on your selection.