How To Prevent Windows Security From Deleting Files

If you want to prevent Windows Security from deleting files, you can follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Security by clicking on the Windows Security icon in the taskbar.
2. Click on "Virus & Threat Protection" in the left navigation pane.
3. Under "Virus & Threat Protection Settings," click on "Manage Settings."
4. Scroll down to the "Exclusions" section and click on "Add or remove exclusions."
5. Click on "Add an exclusion" and select the type of exclusion you want to add, such as a file, folder, or file type.
6. Choose the file, folder, or file type you want to exclude from being scanned and click on "Open" or "OK" to add the exclusion.

By following these steps, you can prevent Windows Security from deleting specific files

Understanding Windows Security and File Deletion

Windows Security is a vital component of the Windows operating system that helps protect your computer from various threats and malware. While it plays an essential role in ensuring the safety of your files and data, there may be instances where Windows Security mistakenly identifies certain files as threats and deletes them. This can be frustrating, especially if the files are important or valuable to you. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent Windows Security from deleting your files. In this article, we will explore different methods and strategies to safeguard your files from accidental deletion.

1. Creating Exclusions

Windows Security provides an exclusion feature that allows you to specify files, folders, or types of files that should be exempt from detection and deletion. By adding exclusions, you can prevent Windows Security from mistakenly flagging your files as threats. Here's how you can create exclusions:

• Open Windows Security by clicking on the Start menu, selecting Settings, and then clicking on Update & Security.
• From the left sidebar, click on Windows Security, and then select Virus & Threat Protection.
• Under the Virus & Threat Protection settings, click on Manage Settings.
• Scroll down to the Exclusions section and click on Add or remove exclusions.

You can choose to exclude specific files, folders, file types, or processes from Windows Security scanning and deletion. To exclude a file or folder, click on Add an exclusion, select the type of exclusion you want to create, and browse to the location of the file or folder. If you want to exclude a file type, click on Add an exclusion, select File type, and enter the file extension (e.g., .docx, .xlsx) you want to exclude. To exclude a process, click on Add an exclusion, select Process, and enter the name of the process you want to exclude.

Creating exclusions can help ensure that important files or folders are not mistakenly deleted by Windows Security. However, it is important to exercise caution when using exclusions, as adding an exclusion may leave your system vulnerable to genuine threats. It is recommended to exclude only trusted files, folders, or processes that you are confident do not pose any security risks.

2. Adjusting Windows Security Settings

In some cases, adjusting certain settings within Windows Security can help prevent file deletion. Here are some settings you can consider:

a. Custom Scans

Windows Security allows you to perform custom scans where you can specify the folders and file types that should be scanned. By carefully selecting the folders and types of files you want to include in the scan, you can minimize the chances of Windows Security flagging and deleting important files. To perform a custom scan:

• Open Windows Security and select Virus & Threat Protection.
• Under Quick Scan, click on Scan options.
• Select Full Scan or Custom Scan.
• If you choose Custom Scan, click on Scan now and select the specific folders or drives you want to include in the scan.
• Click on Scan to start the scan.

Performing custom scans allows you to have more control over the scanning process and reduce the chances of false positives and unintended file deletions.

b. Controlled Folder Access

Controlled Folder Access is a feature in Windows Security that protects your important folders from unauthorized changes by malicious software. It restricts access to certain folders and prevents any changes unless explicitly allowed. By enabling Controlled Folder Access and adding your desired folders to the protected list, you can prevent unauthorized modifications, including accidental file deletions. To enable Controlled Folder Access:

• Open Windows Security and select Virus & Threat Protection.
• Under Ransomware Protection, click on Manage ransomware protection.
• Toggle the Controlled Folder Access switch to On.
• Under Protected folders, click on "Add a protected folder" and select the folders you want to safeguard.

By utilizing Controlled Folder Access, you can add an extra layer of security to your important folders, helping prevent accidental file deletions caused by malware or unauthorized programs.

3. Using Third-Party Antivirus Software

If you consistently face issues with Windows Security mistakenly deleting your files, you might consider using third-party antivirus software. While Windows Security is a reliable antivirus solution, different software may have different scanning algorithms, reducing the chances of false positives and accidental file deletions. However, it's important to choose a reputable antivirus software from a trusted source that offers reliable protection.

When using third-party antivirus software, it's crucial to disable Windows Security to avoid conflicts between the two programs. Here's how you can temporarily disable Windows Security:

• Open Windows Security.
• Click on Virus & Threat Protection.
• Under Virus & Threat Protection settings, click on Manage Settings.
• Toggle off Real-time protection.
• Confirm the action when prompted.

Remember to re-enable Windows Security once you have installed and configured the third-party antivirus software.

Overall, using reputable third-party antivirus software can provide an additional layer of security and help prevent accidental file deletions caused by Windows Security.

Preventing Windows Security From Deleting Files

Now that we have covered some strategies for preventing Windows Security from deleting files, it's important to remember a few key points:

• Regularly update your Windows Security and keep it up to date with the latest virus definitions.
• Exercise caution when creating exclusions to avoid leaving your system vulnerable to genuine threats.
• Perform regular backups of your important files to an external storage device or cloud storage.
• Consider using trusted third-party antivirus software if you continue to face issues with Windows Security.
• Maintain a strong and secure password for your Windows user account to prevent unauthorized access.

By following these guidelines and implementing the strategies discussed, you can minimize the chances of Windows Security accidentally deleting your important files while still ensuring the safety of your computer and data.

Preventing Windows Security From Deleting Files

Windows Security is a vital component of the Windows operating system, designed to protect your computer from potential threats. However, there are instances when it may mistakenly flag certain files or programs as threats and delete them. To prevent Windows Security from deleting important files, follow these steps:

• Exclude files or folders: To prevent Windows Security from scanning and deleting specific files or folders, you can exclude them from the scanning process. This can be done by accessing the Windows Security settings and choosing the "Virus & threat protection" option. From there, click on "Manage settings," scroll down to "Exclusions," and click on "Add or remove exclusions" to add the files or folders you want to protect.
• Add files to the whitelist: Windows Security maintains a whitelist of trusted files and programs. By adding specific files to this whitelist, you ensure that Windows Security does not mistakenly detect them as threats. To add files to the whitelist, go to "Virus & threat protection" in the Windows Security settings and click on "Allow an app through Controlled folder access." From there, click on "Add an allowed app" and select the desired files.
• Update Windows Security: Keeping your Windows Security up to date ensures that you have the latest virus definitions and protection mechanisms. Regularly check for updates by going to the Windows Security settings and clicking on "Virus & threat protection." From there, click on "Check for updates" to ensure your system has the latest security patches.

By following these steps, you can prevent Windows Security from deleting important files and ensure the smooth functioning of your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers on how to prevent Windows Security from deleting files:

1. Can I disable Windows Security from deleting files?

Yes, it is possible to disable Windows Security from deleting files by modifying the settings. Here's how you can do it:

First, open Windows Security by clicking on the Start menu, typing "Windows Security," and selecting the app from the search results. Once the Windows Security app is open, go to "Virus & threat protection." Under this section, click on "Manage settings."

Next, scroll down to the "Exclusions" section and click on "Add or remove exclusions." Here, you can add folders, files, or file types that you want Windows Security to exclude from scans. By adding exclusions, you can prevent Windows Security from deleting specific files or folders.

2. Can I prevent Windows Security from deleting a specific file?

Yes, you can prevent Windows Security from deleting a specific file by adding it to the exclusions list. Follow these steps to exclude a file from Windows Security scans:

1. Open Windows Security by searching for it in the Start menu.

2. Navigate to "Virus & threat protection" and click on "Manage settings."

3. Scroll down to the "Exclusions" section and click on "Add or remove exclusions."

4. Select "File" and browse to the location of the file you want to exclude. Click "Open" to add it to the exclusions list.

After adding the file to the exclusions list, Windows Security will no longer detect it as a threat and won't delete it during scans.

3. Is it safe to disable Windows Security from deleting files?

Disabling Windows Security from deleting files should only be done with caution. While it may be necessary in specific cases, such as excluding certain files or folders that are falsely flagged as threats, it can also expose your system to potential risks. Windows Security is designed to protect your computer from malicious files, and disabling its delete function can leave your system vulnerable.

Before disabling this feature, carefully evaluate the files and folders you want to exclude and ensure they are safe. Additionally, keep your antivirus software up to date and regularly scan your system for any potential threats.

4. Can I restore files deleted by Windows Security?

If Windows Security has deleted a file that you later realize is not a threat, you may have the option to restore it. Here's how you can try to recover deleted files:

1. Open Windows Security and go to "Virus & threat protection."

2. Under "Current threats," select the file that was deleted by Windows Security.

3. Click on "Restore" or "Restore from quarantine" to recover the file.

Keep in mind that the ability to restore deleted files may depend on the specific actions taken by Windows Security and the type of threat detected.

5. How can I customize Windows Security settings to minimize file deletion?

To customize Windows Security settings and minimize the chances of file deletion, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Security and go to "Virus & threat protection."

2. Click on "Manage settings."

3. In the settings menu, you can adjust the level of scan options. For example, you can choose to perform quick scans instead of full scans, which may reduce the likelihood of files being flagged as threats and deleted.

4. You can also enable "Automatic sample submission" to provide Windows Security with additional data to improve its threat detection capabilities without deleting files.

By customizing these settings, you can maintain a balance between protecting your system and minimizing the chances of files being deleted by Windows Security.

To prevent Windows Security from deleting files, there are several steps you can take. First, always make sure to exclude important files and folders from the protection of Windows Security. This can be done by adding them to the exclusion list in the Windows Security settings.

Another crucial step is to regularly update Windows and its security features. This ensures that you have the latest security patches and updates, reducing the chances of Windows Security mistakenly flagging and deleting files.