How to disable Windows Defender and add a folder as an exception (e.g., C:\AWRoot)

🔧 Complete tutorial to disable Windows Defender and add a folder as an exception (e.g., C:\AWRoot )

This tutorial will guide you step by step to temporarily disable Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender Antivirus), and then to add a folder as an exception to prevent the software from blocking certain files, as in the case of installing Diagbox 9.200 .

🛑 IMPORTANT

Disabling Windows Defender makes your computer vulnerable. It is strongly recommended to do so only to install reliable software like Diagbox, and then re-enable it afterward.
If you simply add a folder as an exception , that is usually sufficient.

✅ Part 1: Temporarily disable Windows Defender (real-time protection)

Steps:

1. Open Windows security settings

   • Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings .

   • Go to "Privacy and security" > "Windows security" .

   • Click on "Open Windows Security" .

2. Access protection against viruses and threats

   • In the left panel, click on "Virus and threat protection" .

3. Manage settings

   • Click on "Manage settings" under Virus & threat protection settings .

4. Disable real-time protection

   • Disable the "Real-time protection" option (you may need to confirm with an administrator password).

📝 This action is temporary . Windows Defender will automatically reactivate this protection after a restart or after a few minutes. To avoid interruptions during installation, proceed quickly or add an exception now.

✅ Part 2: Adding a folder as an exception in Windows Defender (e.g., C:\AWRoot )

Steps:

1. Back to Windows Security

   • As before, go to:

     • Windows Settings ( Windows + I )

     • Privacy and security > Windows security

     • Click on "Virus and threat protection"

2. Access exclusion settings

   • Click on "Manage settings" under "Virus and threat protection settings".

   • Scroll down to "Exclusions" , then click on "Add or remove exclusions" .

3. Add an exclusion

   • Click on the "+ Add an exclusion" button.

   • Select "Folder" .

   • In the window that opens, navigate to the relevant folder:

     • Example: C:\AWRoot

   • Click on "Select a folder" .

✅ The folder is now excluded from Defender's scan. The files it contains will no longer be blocked or quarantined.

🔄 Reactivate protection after installation

1. Return to:

   • Settings > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings

2. Reactivate real-time protection .

💡 Extra tip

For installations of sensitive software like Diagbox, disabling SmartScreen can also prevent problems:

• In Settings > Privacy and security > Windows security > App and browser control , temporarily disable SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge and unrecognized apps .

📌 Conclusion

Now you know how:

• Temporarily disable Windows Defender protection.

• Add a folder like C:\AWRoot as an exception to avoid blocking.

• Reactivate protection after installation.

🔒 Remember to always reactivate Windows security after your actions to ensure the security of your system.