Frequently Asked Question

Malware and antivirus software

How do I exclude certain files or folders from real-time scanning? (3.0)

File-level scanning of some email servers, backup software, gaming applications, etc. can occasionally cause abnormal system behavior. To exclude specific applications or folders from the ESET NOD32 Antivirus real-time scanner, see the step-by-step instructions below:

 

 


NOTE: If the application you are excluding communicates using a network protocol (HTTP, FTP, etc.) you must also follow the steps below:
  1. From the Advanced Setup tree, click Antivirus and antispyware → Web access protection → HTTP → Web browsers.

  2. If the application you wish to exclude is listed, double-click the corresponding check box. A red "X" will appear. Click OK to save changes—you are finished. If you do not see the application you are trying to exclude, proceed to step 3.
    Fig. 1-3

  3. Click the Add button to browse and select the .exe file of the desired application. The application will appear in the list of applications to exclude. Double-click the corresponding check box until you see the red "X". Click OK to save changes.

 

  1. Open the main program window by clicking the icon in the Windows notification area or by clicking Start → All Programs → ESET → ESET Smart Security or ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

  2. Press the F5 key to display the Advanced Setup window.
  3. From the Advanced Setup tree, click Antivirus and antispyware → Exclusions and then click the Add... button.

    Fig. 1-1
  4. The Add exclusion window will be displayed. Using the directory tree, browse for the folder or file you wish to exclude. The directory path will automatically display In the Exclusion: field. Click OK to save the exclusion.

    NOTE: To exclude the contents of an entire drive, the * symbol can be used as a wildcard. For example, to exclude scanning of the entire C: drive, you would enter C:* in the Exclusion: field. To exclude all .doc files from scanning, you would enter C:*.doc in the Exclusion: field. For additional information on the use of wildcards to exclude file/folder scanning, press F1 from the Add exclusion window (Fig. 1-2).

    Fig. 1-2

  5. Click OK again and close the main program window. Restart your computer.

 

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