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Windows Defender - how to stop it scanning individual files on my laptop

Anonymous
2020-03-30T07:56:56+00:00

Is this something that can be done?  Whilst I need security on my machine, I do not need Windows Defender to scan every single file before I open it.  This slows down my machine considerably.  Is there a way around this?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-03-30T09:11:40+00:00

    Thank you so much Jerico, that is brilliant, don't know how I missed that earlier.

    Do you know if it possible to exclude a whole drive, rather than have to put several exclusions in to list different folders?

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-03-31T09:23:01+00:00

    Thank you Glen, I shall try that.  I did notice last night that files were still being scanned despite me adding several folders to the exclusion list.  Is simply adding folders no good, do I need to list all the files within those folders as well? Or perhaps I just needed to restart for it to work?

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-01T08:44:50+00:00

    Hi HazelIR943,

    You do not have to restart in order to activate an exclusion.

    Go to the "Exclusions" screen and below (+ Add an exclusion) you see a list of

    the exclusions that are currently set. You can remove an exclusion by selecting it and

    click on "Remove".

    What folders do you have in your exclusion list?

    I would think that you would be more interested in excluding particular Files that you

    want to bypass, rather than folders.

    Since your intent is just to speed up your PC, the MpCmdRun.exe file is the most

    effective one to exclude.

    Can you examine your task manager and determine if there is another background

    program that may be using a lot of your resources.  Antimalware Service Executable

    usage will be high if there is a scan in progress.

    Do you know whether or not you have a scheduled scan with Windows Defender that

    might be running when you see the slowdown?

    Good luck,  Glen

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-03-30T10:05:09+00:00

    Thank you again Jericho.

    Can I just check, does turning of Real-time protection stop Defender from scanning email attachments?  This I would not want.

    Ideally what I want is for all my own files on my machine not to be scanned everytime I open them, however would like any shared files incoming (i.e. email attachments) scanned.

    Hope this makes sense to you?

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-03-30T08:01:03+00:00

    Hello HazelR_943,

    Good day!

    I'm Jericho, a fellow customer and an individual advisor. I am happy to assist you!

    You may follow the steps provided in the link below:

    https://www.windowscentral.com/how-exclude-file...

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install.

    Hope that helps! Please let me know if you have other queries/concerns.

    Cheers,

    Jericho

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