Windows: prevent Windows Defender from scanning my project's files

agarny

Hi,

No doubt that many of you have come across that problem, i.e. build your Qt application on Windows and then realise that a fair amount of your CPU gets used by Windows Defender to scan your project's files.

Well, yes, I know that I can add exclusions to Windows Defender, as explained here by Microsoft. So, I first added the folder for my project, but it didn't make any difference.

Then, I came across another Microsoft page where they use Group Policies, but again to no avail.

Finally, I came across this PowerShell script, to which I added the folders to my project and my copy of CMake, Ninja and clcache, but again to no avail.

By no avail, I mean that if I build my project, then straightaway I see the Antimalware Service Executable process kicking in and using anywhere between 15% and 70% of my CPU.

FWIW, I am using the very latest version of Window 10, i.e. 21H1, together with Visual Studio 2017 with CMake, Ninja, clcache and Qt 5.12.11.

Cheers, Alan.

mchinand

I would use this with caution as you are creating a potential security hole on your system. Configure and validate exclusions for Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans

agarny

Thanks a lot for the link @mchinand. (Yes, I know and fully appreciate that this can create potential security holes.)

fcarney

Do it on the Qt install directory too. Otherwise when you update Qt it will take FOREVER.