Windows Defender deleted my download without permission

Question

I downloaded a large archive from Edge browser, but the file was deleted immediately after finish. It says virus detected and there is NO WAY to restore it!

Now I have to waste another 3 hours to re-download that file!

Is this a bug or design issue? If not, could someone tell me how to stop this (without turning off Windows Defender)?

Answer 1

This is absurd.

I am attempting to download a zip file from a reputable website, I know the file is safe as the hosting website has existed for decades, and I have been a member of said website for decades. I know that they do exhaustive security screening.

Meanwhile.

I download file. Windows deletes it.
I disable windows security 100% all of it, nothing left active. Windows deletes it anyway.
I add an exception for the folder where my downloads are saved. Windows deletes it anyway.

THIS is very frustrating.

There is nothing in the security log, nothing in the windows event viewer. It just arbitrarily deletes my data without requesting permission to do so, despite the aforementioned steps taken to prevent such action.

Answer 2

Homie we been waiting MONTHS for you to reply. Seems like you all wanna point fingers back at the user and claim "user error" when its really a faulty system. Youre being told PDF's and basic image files are being deleted by the defender and only provide a solution that leaves us vulnerable when it was a garbage system that allowed this in the first place, a system that was forced on us btw

Answer 3

This is the screenshot

Answer 4

Hi Tong

Thanks for reaching out! My name is Jiyas. I'll be glad to help you today.

Windows Defender removes dangerous files automatically to safeguard your computer from potential threats. This is not a bug, but a security feature.

You can temporarily turn off real-time protection to download the file and then make an exception from being scanned. But remember to turn it back on immediately after restoring the file.

Go to Virus & threat protection settings and toggle off Real-time protection.

Then settings (or Manage settings).

Scroll down and click on Add or Remove exclusions.

Click on Add an Exclusion and choose File or Folder to exclude the specific file or folder from scans. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add....

Also don't forget to look for the Protection history or Quarantined threats section.

If your file is there, look if an option to restore the file is available.

Feel free to ask back any questions and let me know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

Answer 5

I know. But I don't think deleting file without any backup is a good idea. Sometimes Microsoft Defender would make mistakes and delete my normal downloads. And not every file can be downloaded again easily. Some take long time, some requires payments, and some might require another approval. So are there any options not to make my files gone? (like isolating dangerous downloads instead of deleting them)