This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(172.8, 24%, 26%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EM%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Why would I get a "Protected folder access blocked" notification from Defender when I open an xls under the conditions listed below?
The app is EXCEL.EXE, the folder is D:\Documents\Receipts.
I have made no changes since this happened. I did not add Excel.exe to the allowed list, but I can now open the xls without any Defender notifications coming up.
Sure I can ignore the incident, but any ideas about what happened? This block notification should not have happened. On top of that, nothing got blocked.
Windows 10 Pro 19042.685
Office 2019
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(89.60000000000001, 81%, 18%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ERA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Does the Excel file include any macro code or extensions?
It could be false-positive, you may open start and search for feedback and open Feedback Hub app and report this issue.
Hi, @Mark_391
Was the issue resolved?
If any reply is useful for you, please accept it as answer.
If you have any issue or concern, please reply to us directly.
Best Regards.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(153.6, 95%, 24%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EE%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The exact same thing happened to me today as well. It was just odd. I had created an excel spreadsheet from scratch yesterday. When opening the file today I received the Windows Security Alert notification. The file opened, however, when the file tried to autosave it presented an error message. The file is stored on my OneDrive. I went back into Protection History and allowed on this device. I think perhaps there is a conflict between OneDrive and the various executable files?
Regarding macros or third-party links: Nope, I verified neither of these exists. I will say when I originally created the sheet, I did copy and paste a few items from a website. I pasted it as text only. I did use the following to ensure something was not hidden: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/find-links-external-references-in-a-workbook-fcbf4576-3aab-4029-ba25-54313a532ff1 no links are embedded in file.
I did notice that several other executable files of mine were also blocked, Adobe.exe, ptedit54.exe (Brother P-Touch label printer I use). There were blocked again from a folder on my OneDrive.
Assuming there is an additional layering of security Microsoft has put in place? When I get a warning, I want to ensure the system is not compromised as it's never a fun experience.
Hi,
Maybe one of the EXCEL.EXE processes is host to a 3rd party service, which Windows Security is not trust of.
You could try adding Excel.exe to the allowed list.
If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.