How to exclude a file, folder or process from being scanned by Windows 10 Defender

Guide on how to exclude a file, folder or process from being scanned and be falsely classified as a threat by Windows 10 Defender. You should do this for files that you know to be clean. You can submit the file for analysis to www.virustotal.com for a wider analysis.

1. Search for Virus & treat protection in Windows Search and open it.

2. Select Virus & Threat protection settings.

3. Scroll down to the end of the page and select Add or remove exclusions under Exclusions.

4. Select type of exclusion and its path.

To restore a file already deleted check this guide.

Windows Defender related tools:

Defender Control - Allows to permanently disable Windows Defender. While Windows Defender has a pause option, it will automatically be re-enabled after 2 hours.
Defender Injector - Easily add files to Windows Defender's whitelist.
WinDefThreatsView - Alternative tool to managing Windows Defender detected threats and suspicious files. Also allows remote management.
ConfigureDefender - Tool to manage Windows Defender settings. Review and presentation here.

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