Can multiple Windows 10 Pro Defender Exclusions be added in Group Policy or must they be input one at a time?

LoughLad 21 Reputation points
2022-06-28T18:06:35.367+00:00

Windows 10 Pro Build 19044

My machine is a Digital Audio Workstation Laptop and I require to be able to prevent Windows Defender Antivirus from performing any actions on a large number of specific folders

In the Local Group Policy Editor, I know if I go to:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components >Microsoft Defender Antivirus > Exclusions

then Path Exclusions > Enabled > Options > Show Button

It brings up a "show Contents" box with a user editable area "Path Exclusions" with "Value name" & "Value"

This is where I become not so clear on what I must do...

If, for example I wanted to exclude a folder called "Folder 1" in Program Files I need to add the full path:

C:\Program Files\Folder 1 in Value Name" and then add 0 in Value to ENABLE the exclusion.

Is it correct that Windows Defender will then exclude Folder 1 and all files and sub folders from any real time protection and scans?

As I have around 30 folders that I wish to exclude (all music related), do I really have to enter each path one at a time or is there

a way to batch import them, maybe from a text file?

Many thanks

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  1. LoughLad 21 Reputation points
    2022-06-29T16:31:07.183+00:00

    Well I am disapointed that no one has made any suggestions especially as this forum was recomended to me by member of the Microsoft Answers forum.

    Poor show, very poor show.

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  2. Limitless Technology 39,351 Reputation points
    2022-07-01T08:42:03.22+00:00

    Hello

    Thank you for your question and reaching out. I can understand you are having query related to Defender Exclusions

    If you have wildcard then all its sub folders will be excluded.

    For Example :

    1. C:\myfolder*\Data includes any file in C:\myfolder\Archives\Data and its subfolders, and C:\myfolder\Authorized\Data and its subfolders

    2.C:\Serv**\Backup includes any file in C:\Serv\Primary\Denied\Backup and its subfolders and C:\Serv\Secondary\Allowed\Backup and its subfolders

    Reference :

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/configure-extension-file-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus?view=o365-worldwide

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

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