Windows 10: How to remove an ".exe" process exclusion from Windows Security

Hi, I struggle with high CPU and in trying to fix it I accidentally created an exception for ".exe" as a process in my windows security app. The "remove" button is non-responsive, despite being able to delete other exclusions. I have also tried finding and deleting the exclusion in my registry as administrator and was unsuccessful - I was given an "unable to delete all specified values" error message. I have also attempted various fixes through windows powershell as administrator and have attempted resetting the Windows Security app.Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to remove this -

:)

 

Windows Security, Add an exclusion, Process

This link was helpful:

Configure exclusions for files opened operty=

Quote:

When you add a process to the process exclusion list, Windows Defender Antivirus won't scan files opened by that process, no matter where the files are located. The process itself, however, will be scanned unless it has also been added to the file
exclusion list.

 

Unable to Remove Exclusions from Windows Defender

Thank you for posting back. If you trust a file, file type, folder, or a process that Windows Defender Antivirus has detected as malicious, you can stop Windows Defender Antivirus from alerting you or blocking the program by adding the file to
the exclusion list. It seems that it was added automatically. We suggest that you follow these steps:

• Go to Settings and select Update & security.
• Click Windows Defender.
• Look for Exclusions and select Add an exclusion.
• Navigate to the file, folder, or process, and select Exclude this file.

If the steps provided did not work, we recommend that you boot your device to
Safe Mode and redo the process.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

Cannot remove exclusion from Windows Security (filetype exclusion: exe)

Recently I noticed that I have the "exe" filetype as an exclusion in Windows Security, the problem is that I did not create it and knowing full well the possible consequences of such a rule I tried to remove but I failed.

The "Remove" button for that exclusion does not work, I can click it but it does not have any effect, so I tried to remove it from the registry keys at "Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Extensions" but it is not there,

Is this a bug? Could this be some sort of malware? Does the exclusion really have any effects if it is not reflected in the registry keys, if so, how can I delete that exclusion?

Attached screenshot shows the problem, I hid the other exclusions for privacy purposes.

EDIT: I run a scan with malwarebytes and nothing unusual was detected, could it be because MWB uses the same exclusions defined in Windows Security or are they independent?