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Excluding certain files or websites from scanning in AVG Antivirus

 

Although it is generally not recommended, you may want to exclude certain files, folders, or websites from being scanned by AVG Antivirus. This can speed up your scans and prevent false-positive detections.

Set exceptions only if you know that the files and websites you want to exclude are safe. If you are unsure about a file, you can scan it in Virus Total, or add the file to Quarantine and submit it to AVG Threat Labs.

Refer to the sections below to manage exceptions in AVG Antivirus:

Add an exception

Setting an exception will exclude individual files, folders, or websites from all scans and shields.

To set an exception:

  1. Open AVG Antivirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select General ▸ Exceptions, then click Add exception.
  3. Read through the questions to ask and click Next ▸ I understand risks.
  4. Add an exception in one of the following ways:
    • Type the specific file/folder path or URL into the text box, then click Add exception.
    • Click Browse, tick the box next to the file or folder, then click OK ▸ Add exception.

Your specified file, folder, or website is added to the exceptions list.

Add an advanced exception

Setting advanced exceptions allows you to define your exclusions more precisely.

To set an advanced exception:

  1. Open AVG Antivirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select General ▸ Exceptions, then click Add advanced exception.

The following advanced exceptions are available:

  • Website / Domain: Excludes all websites that contain the same domain name.
  • File / Folder: Excludes files / folders with the option to specify your exclusions.
  • Command: Excludes scripts presented on the command line.

Website / Domain

  1. Select the Website / Domain tab.
  2. Enter a URL domain to exclude all pages with this domain name, then click Add exception.

File / Folder

  1. Select the File/Folder tab.
  2. Type the specific file/folder path, or click Browse to navigate to it.
  3. Optionally, untick a feature that you want to allow with this exception:
    • Apply to all scans: Enables scans and disables the selected shields.
    • Apply to Behavior Shield: Warns you if any application behaves suspiciously.
    • Apply to File Shield: Scans any file added to or opened on your PC.
    • CyberCapture: Analyzes unrecognized files and warns you about new threats.
    • Hardened Mode: Determines which executable files are safe to open.
  4. Click Add exception.

Command

  1. Select the Command tab.
  2. Enter the Command and optionally provide Command parameters, then click Add exception

Manage exceptions

You can manage your current exceptions via the application settings:

  1. Open AVG Antivirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Select General ▸ Exceptions.
  3. Hover the cursor over the relevant exception, then select an option:
    • Pencil icon: Edit the exception.
    • Trash icon: Remove the exception from your list. The list updates automatically.

Further recommendations

For other related topics, refer to the following articles:

 

Although it is generally not recommended, you may want to exclude certain files, folders, or websites from being scanned by AVG Antivirus. This can speed up your scans and prevent false-positive detections.

Set exceptions only if you know that the files and websites you want to exclude are safe. If you are unsure about a file, you can scan it in Virus Total, or add the file to Quarantine and submit it to AVG Threat Labs.

Refer to the sections below to manage exceptions in AVG Antivirus:

Add an exception

To exclude files, folders, or applications from being scanned by AVG AntiVirus:

  1. Open AVG Antivirus and click ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences (the gear icon).
  2. Select the Scans tab.
  3. Choose the relevant scan type.
  4. Click Add exceptions.
  5. Select the file, folder, or application you want to exclude from being scanned, then click Open.
  6. If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The file path is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the X icon.

To exclude files, folders, or applications from being scanned by File Shield:

  1. Open AVG Antivirus and click ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences (the gear icon).
  2. Select the Core Shields tab.
  3. Choose File Shield.
  4. Click Add exceptions.
  5. Select the file, folder, or application you want to exclude from being scanned, then click Open.
  6. If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The file path is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the Trash icon.

To exclude websites or domains from being scanned by Web Shield:

  1. Open AVG Antivirus and click ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences (the gear icon).
  2. Select the Core Shields tab.
  3. Choose Web Shield.
  4. Click Add exceptions.
  5. Enter the URL of the website you want to exclude from being scanned and select the Web server services type, then click Add.
  6. If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The website is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the server panel in the exceptions list, then click the Trash icon.
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