How to prevent Windows Defender from deleting program files in Windows 10

  • Windows Defender is always running and scanning your system when it’s idle.
  • On average, the antivirus scans your system twice a week to make sure there is nothing malicious on it.
  • Windows Defender flags files that it deems unsafe and should not be allowed to run on your system.
  • If you download an executable file that Windows Defender thinks is malicious, it will delete it before you can even open File Explorer to see where the file was downloaded.

 

Unlock the secret to preserving your precious program files on Windows 10 by outsmarting the vigilant Windows Defender.

Add program files to Windows Defender’s exclusion list: Open Windows Security by clicking on the shield icon in the taskbar, go to Virus & threat protection, click on Manage settings, and under Exclusions, click on Add or remove exclusions. Select the folder containing your program files and add it to the exclusion list.

Restore Deleted Files in Windows 10

If you’re experiencing issues with Windows Defender deleting program files in Windows 10, there are a few solutions you can try. Here are two workable methods:

Fix 1: Exclude Program Files from Windows Defender
1. Open Windows Defender by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Go to “Virus & threat protection” and click on “Manage settings.”
3. Scroll down to the “Exclusions” section and click on “Add or remove exclusions.”
4. Choose the option to exclude a folder and navigate to the location of your program files (e.g., C:\Program Files).
5. Save the changes and restart your computer.

Fix 2: Use Third-Party Software
If the first method didn’t work, you can try using third-party software like EaseUS. This software allows you to restore deleted files in Windows 10, even if they were deleted by Windows Defender.

Remember to regularly update your Windows Defender and run virus scans to ensure your system is protected.

To prevent Windows Defender from deleting program files, add the specific file or folder to the exclusion list.

Prevent Windows Defender from Deleting Files Automatically

Prevent Windows Defender from automatically deleting program files in Windows 10 by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Open Windows Defender and go to the “Virus & threat protection” page.

Step 2: Click on “Virus & threat protection settings” and scroll down to find “Manage settings”.

Step 3: Toggle off the “Real-time protection” option.

Step 4: Download and install the EaseUS program from a reliable source.

Step 5: Open the program and select the C drive or the directory where your program files are located.

Step 6: Add the program files and directories as exceptions in EaseUS.

By adding the program files and directories as exceptions, you can prevent Windows Defender from deleting them automatically. This is particularly useful if you are using network drives or servers where files might be falsely identified as threats. Remember to regularly update your virus definitions and run manual scans to ensure the safety of your system.

Turn off Storage Sense to Stop File Deletion in Windows 10

To prevent Windows Defender from deleting program files in Windows 10, you can turn off Storage Sense.

Here are the steps to do it:

1. Open the Settings page by pressing Windows + I.
2. Click on “System” and then select “Storage” from the left-hand menu.
3. Scroll down to find the “Storage Sense” option and toggle it off.

By turning off Storage Sense, you can prevent Windows Defender from automatically deleting program files on your computer. This is particularly useful if you have important files or programs that you want to keep without worrying about them being deleted.

Remember to regularly update your antivirus software and run virus scans to ensure the safety of your computer. Additionally, consider creating backups of your important files and storing them on a network drive or server for added protection.

Uninstall Faulty Updates that Delete Files on Windows 10

To prevent Windows Defender from deleting program files in Windows 10, you can follow these workable solutions:

Fix 1: Exclude program files from Windows Defender scans.
– Open Windows Security by searching for it in the taskbar.
– Go to “Virus & threat protection” and click on “Manage settings”.
– Under “Exclusions”, click on “Add or remove exclusions”.
– Select “Folder” and browse to the location of the program files you want to exclude.
– Click “Select Folder” to add the exclusion.

Fix 2: Disable real-time protection temporarily.
– Open Windows Security and go to “Virus & threat protection”.
– Click on “Manage settings” and toggle off “Real-time protection”.
– Confirm the action by selecting “Yes” when prompted.

Remember to re-enable real-time protection after completing your task to ensure your system stays protected.

Add Exclusions to Windows Defender

  • Open Windows Security.
  • Click on Virus & threat protection.
    Open Windows Security.
Click on Virus & threat protection.
  • Select Manage settings under the Virus & threat protection settings.
  • Scroll down to the Exclusions section and click on Add or remove exclusions.
  • Click on Add an exclusion.
  • Choose the type of exclusion you want to add, such as Folder, File, or File type.
  • Navigate to the location of the program file or folder you want to exclude from Windows Defender.
  • Select the program file or folder, and then click on Open.
    Navigate to the location of the program file or folder you want to exclude from Windows Defender.
Select the program file or folder, and then click on Open.
  • Click on Close to save the changes.

Disable Windows Defender to Prevent File Deletion

To prevent Windows Defender from deleting program files in Windows 10, follow these workable solutions:

Step 1: Disable Windows Defender temporarily to prevent file deletion.

– Open the Start menu and type “Windows Security.”
– Select “Windows Security” from the search results.
– In the Windows Security window, click on “Virus & threat protection.”
– Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” click on “Manage settings.”
– Toggle off the “Real-time protection” switch.

Note: Disabling Windows Defender leaves your computer vulnerable to threats. Ensure you have alternative antivirus protection in place.

Once you’ve completed the necessary tasks, remember to re-enable Windows Defender to maintain the security of your system.

By following this guide, you can prevent Windows Defender from deleting program files and avoid potential issues caused by false positive detections.

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Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.