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Windows Defender, integrated into Windows ten, runs in the groundwork and scans your files for malware. To ameliorate performance for tasks similar compiling code or running virtual machines, you can add an exclusion and Windows Defender will never scan those files.

Exclusions tin can too assist if you're running into false positives where Windows Defender marks legitimate files as malware.

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

Starting time, we demand to launch Windows Security to modify some settings. Open the Outset 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." Then, click "Manage Settings."

Click manage settings in Windows Security on Windows 10

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 desire to exclude from Windows Defender scans. To add together an exclusion, click the "Add together An Exclusion" push beside the large plus symbol (+).

Click Add an exclusion in Windows Security Settings for Windows 10

A small card will pop up allowing you to define your exclusion by File, Binder, File type, or Process.

Exclusion types menu in Windows Security for Windows 10

What you choose depends on what type of exclusion you lot are trying to make. Here's what each choice does.

  • File: If yous select this, a box volition pop upwardly assuasive yous to browse your computer to select a single file that volition be excluded from future scans. Select the file you'd like, then click "Open."
  • Folder: Like the File option, this will let your browse your figurer for a specific folder to exclude from scans. The folder's contents and subfolders will be excluded likewise.
  • File type: A box will pop up asking you to enter a file extension (eastward.g., ".MID") representing the file blazon that you lot'd similar to exclude. All files of that type will be excluded from future scans. This ane is unsafe because you might accidentally exclude a big grade of potentially chancy files, such as PDF or Medico files.
  • Process: A pop-upwardly volition ask you to enter the name of a process (a running plan, i.e., "explorer.exe") to exclude from scans. If a sure program yous know is safe keeps getting flagged by Defender, y'all tin enter it here.

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

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

Once you add an exclusion, it will show upward in a list on the Exclusions folio.

A list of Windows Defender scan exclusions in Windows 10

If you'd like to remove an exclusion yous've already divers, hover your mouse cursor over the item until the downward-pointing carat arrow appears, then click the "Remove" button that pops up.

Removing an exclusion from Windows Defender scan settings in Windows 10

When you're all done, close Windows Security and your settings will exist saved. The next fourth dimension your system does a Defender scan, the items yous added to the exclusions list will no longer crusade problem.