Add File/Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security

Windows Security (formerly known as Windows Defender) is a free anti-virus software built into the Windows operating system.

Since Windows 10 version onwards, Windows Security has been raised by Microsoft to a new level, it is rated by experts as one of the best free antivirus tools available today.

And if you have a bit of knowledge about using a computer, this software is actually enough for you to be safe, no need to install additional specialized anti-virus software.

And in each anti-virus software, there is a function that is an exclusion list, which means that the anti-virus software will ignore this file / folder and not scan it. This is an extremely important feature of every anti-virus software…

The reason is because many tools/programs are written in AutoIT language or for some reason, anti-virus software mistakenly recognizes that file/folder as dangerous software and blocks it, or even deletes it. always.

Therefore, if you are confident with a certain file/folder, either you need to run that file for work, for game installation, for copyright activation. then you can add it to your anti-virus software's exclusion list.

Yes, and in this article I will show you how to add files or folders to the exclusion list in Windows Security in the simplest way.

I. How to add a File or Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security

In this article, I will share with you how to do it manually and how to use support tools, and I will guide you on Windows 10 and Windows 11 guys!

#first. Add files/folders to the exclusion list manually

1.1. On Windows 10

+ Step 1: You press the Windows + I key combination to open Windows Settings => then select Update & Security => select Windows security => and select Virus & threat protection as shown below.

Add File/Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security Picture 1

+ Step 2: Then you go to Virus & threat protection settings => and select Manage settings

Add File/Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security Picture 2

+ Step 3: Here, go to Exclusions => and select Add or remove exclusions

Add File/Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security Picture 3

+ Step 4: Finally, you choose File, Folder…. or whatever you want to exclude.

Add File/Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security Picture 4

1.2. On Windows 11

It is completely similar to that on Windows 10 operating system, you press Windows + I to open Windows Setting => then go to Privacy & security => select Windows Security

Add File/Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security Picture 5

Select Virus & threat protection

Add File/Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security Picture 6

=> Then you do the same steps (from Step 2 onwards) on the Windows 10 instructions.

#2. Use the Defender Exclusion Tool to add exclusions to Windows Defender

If you often use this feature, I recommend you to use this method, because it is very fast, simple and 100% safe.

This is an extremely compact tool, no need to install when using, you just need to download and use it. Vietnamese interface is always supported for you.

Step 1: Download the Defender Exclusion Tool first:

Download Link / Backup Link

+ Step 2: After downloading the file => you run the file ExcTool.exe => if you want to change to Vietnamese, you can go to Options => select Language => and select the Vietnamese language.

Now to use it is simple:

1. Add Files to the exclusion list in Windows Security (Windows Defender)
2. Add Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security
3. Remove exclusions
4. Import list
5. Export list

Add File/Folder to the exclusion list in Windows Security Picture 7

However, that's still not that fast. But also a faster way is that you add the exclusion feature to the right-click menu.

Do: You go to Options => then select Add to context menu => select Add File to context menu.

Micah Soto

Update 15 December 2021