How to Exclude Files and Folders in Malwarebytes on Windows

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

MalwarebytesWindowsExclude FilesFoldersAntivirusSoftwareSecuritySettingsConfigurationProtectionComputerExceptions

Malwarebytes is a popular anti-malware software that protects your computer from various online threats including malware, ransomware, and other potential risks. While Malwarebytes provides robust protection for your system, there may be scenarios where you need to protect certain files or folders from being scanned or blocked by the software. This may be because these files are identified as potential threats by Malwarebytes due to some heuristic behavior analysis, but you know that these files are essential and safe for your workflow, especially in the case of custom scripts, special applications, or developer files.

In such cases, it becomes necessary to exclude files and folders from Malwarebytes scanning to avoid false positive results and improve your workflow efficiency. This process can be especially useful in software development environments where some exe files or scripts may be identified as malware despite being safe. In this detailed guide, we will explain how you can effectively exclude files and folders in Malwarebytes on Windows systems.

Understanding exclusions in Malwarebytes

Before diving into the steps, it's important to understand what exclusions mean in the context of Malwarebytes. Exclusions, sometimes referred to as "whitelisting," is a feature that allows users to prevent Malwarebytes from scanning or block specific files, folders, websites, or applications. By placing a file or folder on the exclusion list, you instruct Malwarebytes to essentially "ignore" these items during a scan.

Why create exclusions?

There are several reasons why you might create an exclusion in Malwarebytes:

• False positives: Sometimes, legitimate software can be flagged as malware because certain behaviors appear similar to malicious activity. Excluding these files can prevent unnecessary alerts.
• Performance optimization: Constantly scanning large files or databases can slow down your computer. By excluding non-critical or trusted files, you can improve system performance.
• Development and testing: If you are a developer or tester, some of your work files or executable files may trigger Malwarebytes incorrectly. It is beneficial to exclude these from scanning to streamline your development processes.

Step-by-step guide to exclude files and folders

Now, let's look at the process of adding files and folders to the exclusion list in Malwarebytes:

Step 1: Open Malwarebytes

First, make sure Malwarebytes is running on your Windows PC. You can start the application by clicking its icon in the Start menu or finding it in the "Programs" list if it's not already open.

Step 2: Go to Settings

Once Malwarebytes opens, navigate to the "Settings" tab. You can usually find this in the upper right corner of the interface. Clicking on it will take you to a new menu that controls various aspects of the software's behavior.

Step 3: Access the Exclusions section

Inside the “Settings” menu, you will find several options listed on the left panel. Look for “Exclusions” and click on it. This section is dedicated to managing all your exclusion rules.

Step 4: Add exclusions

To add a new exclusion:

1. Click the "Add exclusion" button usually found at the top of the exclusions page.
2. A new pop-up window will appear, giving you options for the type of exclusion you want to create. These options typically include:
   • Exclude a file or folder
   • Leaving the website
   • Excluding an application
3. To exclude files or folders, select the "Exclude files or folders" option.

Step 5: Choose the file or folder

After selecting the file or folder exclusion type:

1. A File Explorer window will appear, allowing you to navigate through your computer's directories.
2. Browse to the location of the file or folder you want to exclude and select it.
3. For files, click "Open" after selecting the file you want. For folders, select the folder, then choose "OK" or "Select Folder" on the dialog box to confirm your selection.
4. Once you have selected the files or folders to exclude, please confirm your choice by saying “Yes” when prompted.

Step 6: Save your changes

After selecting the files or folders you want and adding them to the exclusion list, be sure to save your changes. Your files and folders should now be set to be ignored during future scans.

Additional considerations

Although adding exclusions is generally simple, there are a few additional points to consider:

• Regular review: Review your exclusion list periodically to make sure all entries are still valid and necessary. This will help ensure that you are not inadvertently reducing your computer's security.
• Minimize exclusions: Try to limit exclusions to only those files and folders that are necessary. The more exclusions you add, the more potential vulnerabilities you will expose.
• Depth Exclusion: Using depth, specify whether the exclusion should apply only to a specific file or folder or include all nested files and folders for broader exclusion.

Example scenario

To better understand how and why you might exclude files or folders, consider the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: Development environment

You are a software developer working on an application that is being flagged by Malwarebytes due to its unrecognized nature. By excluding the development folder, you ensure a smooth development process without interruptions from constant scanning and notifications.

Scenario 2: Large data files

Your work involves handling large data files that are safe but take a long time to scan. Excluding these files from regular scans can greatly increase system performance and still allow security checks to focus on more sensitive areas.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined, you can easily configure Malwarebytes to exclude certain files and folders, providing more flexibility and control over your computer system's security protocols. This is an essential skill to ensure both security and productivity, especially when working with sensitive or frequently flagged files. Remember to regularly maintain and review your exclusion list to ensure continued protection without interrupting your workflow. With these provisions, you enjoy both robust security and operational efficiency.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update