How to stop Windows Defender from deleting files

Windows Defender is Microsoft's built-in solution to protect your computer from viruses and malware. However, it sometimes automatically deletes files that you know are safe but are flagged anyway. This can be incredibly annoying. Here's how to stop Windows Defender from deleting files.

 

Add exceptions in Windows Security

The easiest way to prevent file deletion is to go directly to the source through Windows Security. If you trust a file or folder that Windows Defender keeps deleting, you can add it to the exclusions list.

Step 1:

Open settings on your computer then click on Privacy & security then look to the side, select Windows Security.

 

Step 2:

In the next interface, click Virus & threat protection to adjust.

 

The new interface appears, scroll down to Virus & threat protection settings and click Manage settings .

Step 3:

In the Exclusions section, users click Add or remove exclusions to add exclusion components.

Here, users click Add an exclusion and then select the type of content they want to exclude so that Windows Defender does not delete it.

 

Recover deleted files and folders

Windows Defender doesn't delete files, but quarantines them to limit their impact on other files on your computer. You can restore these files and folders if you're sure they're safe.

Step 1:

We also access the Virus & threat protection interface in Settings, then select Protection History .

 

Step 2:

Deleted files will be displayed in this interface and you can retrieve them. Click on the file then select Actions then click Allow to retrieve the deleted file.

Disable Storage Sense

While not Windows Defender, Storage Sense is a feature that deletes files and folders to free up storage space. It is limited to the Recycle Bin and will automatically delete after 30 days. If you need to restore data, you can turn off Storage Sense.