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Windows Antivirus Will not allow me to to add exclusions.

Anonymous
2020-10-22T06:13:47+00:00

I go to Windows Security/Virus and threat protection/manage settings/Exclusions

I hit add exclusion, select the folder I want to exclude then hit ok. It then makes me grant admin rights and then nothing happens (I am the only account and it is admin). There is nothing on the exclusion list. 

I have no other antivirus software installed. 

I have tried this with a clean boot, disabling all startup programs and services.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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Anonymous
2020-10-24T07:19:11+00:00

Hi Ty1976,

Why don't you try setting the exclusion from something other than the Settings screen.

It may be beneficial to know, if the exclusion will set OK using PowerShell.

Right click "Start" and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".

On the PowerShell screen, type the following cmdlet. Include the quote marks.

Set-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:* and the path to the folder that you want to exclude"*** then  <enter>.

Exit  <enter>

Return to the "Add an exclusion" screen in Settings, to see if the exclusion is listed.

If it is, there may be a problem with the Settings UI, for the exclusion process.

Try running SFC again, until it runs clean. If that doesn't clear up the problem, then you

may need to perform a Repair Upgrade.

If exclusion, using Settings, is important to you.

Good luck,  Glen

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Anonymous
2020-10-27T21:46:06+00:00

Hi TY1976,

I suspect that the exclusions that show up in the Registry Key are in effect, regardless of

the fact that they don't display in Settings.

You set the exclusions for specific items that you wanted Microsoft Defender to ignore.

Have you seen any instance, where Defender is alerting you to the presence of any of those

Items now?

You could test the effectiveness of your exclusions, by obtaining a copy of the EICAR test file.

See if it alerts, then exclude it, to see if it does not. This may be more trouble than it is worth.

According to all of the restrictions that are described on their web page.

https://www.eicar.org/?page_id=3950

If you discover that your exclusions are really not in effect, then your OS must have some

corruption that SFC cannot fix. In that case, Repair Upgrade may be necessary to correct

your problem. However, a Repair Upgrade performed at this time, will also upgrade your

PC to W10 v20H2. Be aware, if that is not acceptable to you at this time.

If you need assistance in performing a Repair Upgrade, please reply.

 I can't offer any more than this.

Good luck,  Glen

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19 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-10-27T01:40:20+00:00

    Hi Philipp,

    Check the "exclusion" that you found described in the Registry at

    Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Path,

    and examine the Dword value for the exclusion that is present.

    My Dword for an exclusion is 0. And my exclusion displays properly in the list.

    If you find something other than 0, this may explain why yours is not in the list.

    Of course, you cannot modify the Dword at this location, and I am not sure if it has

    anything to do with displaying in the list or not.  At least it is something check.

    Sometimes, Windows does not allow modifications in certain locations, but does so

    in others.  Please reply if this looks interesting, and I will try to locate where it can be

    modified.

    Glen

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-10-23T21:52:52+00:00

    i have the same Problem for some time now. Unable to add Exclusions i click on it select a folder or File and add it, it asks me to confirm and after doing that nothing happens. No other Anti-Virus installed. Already did sfc scannow.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-10-23T04:19:55+00:00

    Sorry still can't add an exception

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