Microsoft Defender and the entire Windows security platform are supposed to protect our computers. The problem is that sometimes it does its job by affecting the overall performance of certain safe applications that don't need to be scanned every moment. While we can add exclusions in Microsoft Defender, Microsoft's strategy is to complicate that process so the user thinks twice. However, the Defender Exclusion Tool from Sordum simplifies it to a couple of clicks.
A frequent recommendation on the Web when an application has performance issues is to configure its folder or main executable as an exclusion in Microsoft Defender. On more modest systems, Defender's constant scanning process can end up "hijacking" entire cores and consuming unnecessary resources, just to verify programs and files that are safe.
Obviously, Microsoft doesn't want it to be too easy to configure exclusions: In Windows 10, the path is Settings - Update & Security - Windows Security - Virus & threat protection - Manage settings - Add or remove exclusions. But if you've decided to experiment with this and want to know how to add exclusions in Microsoft Defender easily, all you need is a copy of Defender Exclusion Tool.
How to Add Exclusions in Microsoft Defender with Defender Exclusion Tool
Defender Exclusion Tool is completely portable, but requires elevated privileges to run, and SmartScreen has a thing or two to say about it (after all, the program modifies security settings in Windows). Its interface adopts the operating system's language, and its Spanish translation is very good.
It all comes down to the use of five buttons: one to add files, another to add folders, a third that deletes selected entries, and the last two to import or export entire lists. Another possibility is to drag the file to the Defender Exclusion Tool window and let its exclusion be configured automatically. If you want to view/confirm the changes, click on the Defender icon. That will open the exclusions section without having to go through the entire Windows menu.
Defender Exclusion Tool has already been updated to extend its support to Windows 11, but it works with any edition starting from Windows 7. To finish, a simple reminder: Adding exclusions in Microsoft Defender is a direct adjustment to the operating system's security, and we recommend not touching Windows files (the developer makes the same recommendation). That said, never stop experimenting. Click below!
Official site and download: Click here
