[KB2769] Exclude files or folders from scanning in ESET Windows home products (15.x–16.x)

Issue

  • File-level scanning of some email servers, backup software, gaming applications or similar is causing abnormal system behavior
  • Exclude specific applications or folders from Real-time file system protection and all scan activity (Startup scan, On-access scanning and Computer [On-demand] scanning)
  • Processes Exclusions
  • Detection Exclusions

Solution

Video Tutorial

 Are you a Mac user?

Exclusions might weaken the protection of your device

We recommend only excluding necessary files and folders. Excluding parts of your disk from scanning may weaken the protection of your device.

  1. Open the main program window of your ESET Windows product.

  2. Press the F5 key to open Advanced setup.

  3. Click Detection Engine, expand Exclusions and click Edit next to Performance Exclusions.

Figure 1-1
  1. Click Add → Browse (...).
Figure 1-2
  1. Use the directory tree to browse for the file or folder you want to exclude, select it, and click OK.
Figure 1-3
  1. Click OK → OK to save the exclusion.
Using wildcards

Use wildcards to exclude a group of files. Use a question mark (?) to exclude a single character and an asterisk (*) to exclude a string of characters. We recommend not using wildcards in the middle of a path.

For more information about using wildcards, visit ESET Online Help topic Add or Edit performance exclusion.

Figure 1-4

If you are still experiencing issues with your app, you may need to exclude the app from Web access protection if it connects to the internet.

Exclude a safe website from being blocked by Web Access Protection in ESET Windows home products (16.x).

Detection Exclusions

To add an exclusion using a detection name or SHA1 file hash, use Detection Exclusions. Excluding by detection name or SHA-1 file hash poses a high-security risk and is recommended only for advanced users.

Last Updated: Jul 26, 2023

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