Windows Security skipped 1 file, how can I see what it was?

Question

I scan my computer with Windows Security frequently-- usually once a day. About once a week I'll do a full scan, and maybe once every other week I'll do an offline scan, but for daily scans I do quick scan.

Tonight I did a quick scan and in Notifications it says that Windows Security skipped 1 file due to my exclusions or network settings, something like that. It's never skipped a file before, and I haven't set any exclusions-- in fact, when I go to the screen for exclusions there are no exclusions showing.

I want to know which file was skipped, because I want to be sure there's nothing suspicious going on, but I can't see any place to list any files that were excluded. Is there a way to list the excluded file(s)?

I did a second quick scan and got the same message.

I did an offline scan and didn't see any messages.

I'm doing a full scan now to see if it shows the message.

If I haven't set any exclusions, what other reasons might it have for excluding a file? And how can I see which file was skipped? What's especially puzzling is that I've never seen it skip a file before.

EDIT -- Full scan completed and shows the same message in Notifications: "The Windows Defender Antivirus scan skipped an item due to exclusion or network scanning settings." But I haven't changed any settings, I have no exclusions set, and this is a private home network. If this is perfectly okay then that's fine, but it's never skipped any items before tonight, and I just want to know what item was skipped so I'll know whether or not I've got a possible problem.

* Moved from Win 10/Security

Answer 1

Hello to you all,

I don't usually comment on websites like these, but this recent issue with Windows Defender Antivirus really cost me so much time chasing my tail trying to work out what was going on.

Anyway, I have recently searched manually for updates for Windows 10 and the following two files were downloaded and installed today:

Security Intelligence Update for Windows Defender Antivirus - KB2267602 (Version 1.313.24.0)

Update for Windows Defender Antivirus antimalware platform - KB4052623 (Version 4.18.2003.8)

After re-starting my laptop (don't ask me why I did it), I straight away carried out a quick scan of my laptop using Windows Defender Antivirus and the problem with the notification of "Item skipped during scan" had gone.

I wish you all luck after downloading the updates and hope you have the same outcome as I did.

Cheers from Australia!

Answer 2

Hello Greg.

I have the same problem as Michael. Your suggestion is too much work.

Can you please explain why Windows Security says that it skipped a file when we have no exceptions set? Is this a virus causing this? Is it a bug in Windows Security? 

And also, it would be helpful if we could see which file(s) it skipped.

Thank you.

Answer 3

I ran Malwarebytes - it found nothing.  I ran windows defender again - and it's still saying it skipped a file.  I checked all logs - and there's nothing that tells me what file was skipped or why it was skipped (I have no exclusions in my scans).  I would still like to know what file was skipped by the scan.

Answer 4

Hi Michael. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator here to help you.

See here to find Windows Defender scan results:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

But while Defender is adequate real-time protectino, if you're going to run on-demand scans Defender is not the best option. Instead Download, install and run a full scan with the most powerful on-demand free scanner Malwarebytes:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/.

In the Malwarebytes Settings > Security tab set it to include scanning for Rootkits.

If necessary run it in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

Then download, install and run a full scan with AdwCleaner:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle... Remove whatever it finds.

Check for any remainders in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001411.htm

Then check for damaged System files by running System File Checker from Step 10 in this checklist:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki....

If completing all of Step 10 in above Checklist doesn't fix it then run a Repair Install which reinstalls WIndows while keeping your files, programs and most settings in place, by installing the Media Creation Tool from this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m..., open the tool and choose Upgrade This PC Now. This will solve most problems and also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method.

If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version in it's Settings > Account Details tab.

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

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 5

Hi, where would you see skipped files in this log?

I dug through all my logs and can't see a thing.

Also, I've had this same issue with skipped files.