How to exclude files from virus scans on Windows or macOS

How to exclude files from virus scans on Windows or macOS

McAfee Activate security software for Windows or macOS, such as LiveSafe or Total Protection, allows you to exclude individual files from being scanned for viruses using the product's Real-Time Scanning feature.

The term 'exclude' means that the files you choose are not scanned when they run, or when they read from or write to your hard drive. If the file selected for exclusion is an application executable, such as a .exe file on Windows, you can also exclude the read and write actions for this process from scanning.
 

NOTE: Excluding a file from the Real-Time Scanner does not prevent malware from being detected. Rather, it allows you to exclude known safe files and applications from being scanned to improve their performance. When you select a file or application .exe to be excluded, the act of excluding it can cause it to be detected if it is malware. In this case, the file or application executable disappears from the browse screen and appears in quarantine.

Solution

To exclude known safe files and applications:

1. Open your McAfee/Activate security software.
2. Click PC Security (on Windows) or Mac Security (on macOS).
3. Click Real-Time Scanning.
4. Click Excluded Files.
5. Click Add file.
6. Browse to, and select, the file that you want to exclude from scans.
7. Repeat the process as needed to exclude multiple files from being scanned.

The Real-Time Scanner does not scan your chosen files after you complete these steps.