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Windows Defender, integrated into Windows 10, runs in the groundwork and scans your files for malware. To improve operation for tasks like compiling code or running virtual machines, you can add together an exclusion and Windows Defender volition never scan those files.

Exclusions can also help if you're running into false positives where Windows Defender marks legitimate files equally malware.

Alarm: Be careful virtually what y'all exclude. Windows Defender won't browse your excluded files and directories for malware. You wouldn't want to exclude everything in your Downloads folder, for example!

Offset, nosotros need to launch Windows Security to change some settings. Open the Commencement menu and blazon "Windows Security." Then, select the "Windows Security" app.

Launch Windows Security from Start menu in Windows 10

In Windows Security, navigate to "Virus & Threat Protection." So, click "Manage Settings."

In "Virus & Threat Protection Settings," scroll down to the very bottom of the page, and click "Add or Remove Exclusions."

Select add or remove exclusions to Windows Defender in Windows 10

On the Exclusions page, y'all can add or remove files that you want to exclude from Windows Defender scans. To add an exclusion, click the "Add An Exclusion" push button beside the large plus symbol (+).

A minor bill of fare will pop up allowing y'all to define your exclusion by File, Folder, File blazon, or Process.

Exclusion types menu in Windows Security for Windows 10

What you lot choose depends on what type of exclusion yous are trying to make. Hither's what each pick does.

  • File: If you select this, a box volition popular up assuasive you to browse your calculator to select a unmarried file that will be excluded from future scans. Select the file you'd similar, and then click "Open up."
  • Folder: Similar the File option, this will permit your browse your computer for a specific folder to exclude from scans. The binder's contents and subfolders will exist excluded as well.
  • File type: A box will pop up asking you to enter a file extension (e.yard., ".MID") representing the file type that you'd like to exclude. All files of that type will exist excluded from hereafter scans. This 1 is dangerous considering y'all might accidentally exclude a large course of potentially chancy files, such equally PDF or DOC files.
  • Process: A popular-up will ask yous to enter the proper noun of a procedure (a running program, i.east., "explorer.exe") to exclude from scans. If a sure programme you know is safe keeps getting flagged by Defender, you lot can enter it here.

Select one of these options and make the necessary selections in the pop-up dialog that follows.

Selecting a file to exclude from Windows Defender scans in Windows Security Settings for Windows 10

Once you add an exclusion, information technology will bear witness up in a list on the Exclusions page.

A list of Windows Defender scan exclusions in Windows 10

If you'd like to remove an exclusion you've already defined, hover your mouse cursor over the particular until the downwardly-pointing carat pointer appears, then click the "Remove" push that pops upwardly.

Removing an exclusion from Windows Defender scan settings in Windows 10

When y'all're all washed, close Windows Security and your settings will be saved. The adjacent time your system does a Defender scan, the items yous added to the exclusions list will no longer cause problem.