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To add an exception in Windows Defender, open Windows Security and add an exclusion under Virus & threat protection settings. Choose the smallest scope that fixes the problem: one file, a folder, a file type, or a process. Exclusions stop Microsoft Defender Antivirus from checking the selected target during real-time scanning, so they can increase your security risk.
How to add an exclusion in Windows 10 or Windows 11
Windows calls an antivirus exception an exclusion. Microsoft’s instructions for Windows 10 and Windows 11 use this path; wording may vary slightly as Windows updates.
- Open Windows Security. You can search for it from Start, or go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security.
- Select Virus & threat protection.
- Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings.
- Scroll to Exclusions and select Add or remove exclusions.
- Select Add an exclusion, then choose File, Folder, File type, or Process.
- Select the file or folder, or enter the file type or process path when prompted.
These steps follow Microsoft’s Virus and Threat Protection in the Windows Security App.
Which exclusion type should you choose?
The choices differ in how much they exempt and what scanning may still occur. In general, use the narrowest option that solves the issue.
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| Choice | What it covers | Scan behavior and exposure |
|---|---|---|
| File | One named file | Stops real-time scanning of that file; the narrowest file-based scope. |
| Folder | The selected folder and all files inside it | Stops real-time scanning of the folder contents, which may include far more than one application or executable. |
| File type | Every file with the selected extension, such as .docx or .pdf |
Exempts all matching files from real-time scanning; this broad scope is rarely a good first choice. |
| Process | Files opened by the specified process | Exempts those files from real-time scanning, but on-demand or scheduled scans may still scan them unless a file or folder exclusion also applies. |
For a process exclusion, Microsoft recommends entering the full path and filename. If you exclude only a filename, malware could use the same name as a trusted process to evade detection. Microsoft also documents wildcard examples such as C:MyProcess* and test.*, and permits environment variables in process exclusions. Avoid broad wildcard patterns unless you understand exactly what they cover. See Microsoft’s process exclusion guidance.
What an exclusion changes—and what it does not
Microsoft warns: “Adding an exclusion to Windows Security means that Microsoft Defender Antivirus will no longer check those types of files for threats, which could leave your device and data vulnerable.” This applies to Defender Antivirus real-time scanning. Scheduled Defender scans and third-party antimalware products might still scan excluded files or processes, so an exclusion does not turn off every scan.
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Microsoft says adding a single-file or folder exclusion is safer than turning off all antivirus protection. Keep the exemption limited to the trusted item or workflow that needs it, and remove it when it is no longer needed.
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- In Windows Security, return to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Exclusions > Add or remove exclusions.
- Select the exclusion you want to undo.
- Select Remove.
Removing an exclusion restores Defender’s real-time checking for that target.
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If Windows Security detected a threat
Do not use an exclusion as the default response to a malware alert. An exclusion prevents checking of a chosen target; an allowed threat is an item Windows Security identified as a threat and that the user chose to allow. The Allowed threats page lists those items, and Windows Security will not act on them while they remain allowed. If you allowed one by mistake, select it there and choose Don’t allow, as described in Microsoft’s Windows Security guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not disable tamper protection as a routine step
Tamper protection helps prevent malicious apps from changing important Defender settings. Microsoft says an administrator can still change settings in Windows Security while tamper protection is on, while other apps cannot change those settings. The exclusion instructions do not require turning tamper protection off; do not disable it as a routine workaround. See Microsoft’s tamper protection guidance.
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