Windows 10: Why does Windows Defender slow my Excel file saving, even if the xlsm file type is excluded?

I'm experiencing a strange issue with Microsoft Excel (Office 365 MSO 16.0.11126.20234 32B) and Windows Defender running on window 10 Pro (1809 Build 17763.253 64B) . When I save a macro-enabled Excel (.xlsm) workbook that has been open for a while it takes about 12 seconds to save the file. If I turn off real time protection in Windows Defender then turn it right back on the same file takes 4 seconds to save. It will save quickly like that for a while then eventually take over 12 seconds until I flip the real time protection on and off again. I have cloud-delivered protection and automatic sample submission off in windows defender thinking it would eliminate sending the file anywhere. It is not my vba code as the same issue is seen when I comment out the code and just use the built-in save functionality. The only change I make to correct the issue is turn real time protection off and right back on.


Here is a 1 minute video (watch the immediate window to see the time it takes to save each time): https://www.screencast.com/t/gKOt7LNhsaxc


Also, at the end you can see I have both .xlsm and xlsm files in the windows defender exclusion list so I would expect Windows defender to completely leave these files alone, but that obviously isn't the case.


I have a number of people using this software who are complaining of the long save time causes by this issue. Most don't have adim rights so can't flip the real time protection switch. Please help/fix.

:)

 

Excluded File Types

I want to exclude .jpg files from custom scans since AFAIK they do not carry malware. It would seem like a simple task, but what is the format of this exclusion list? In the past one usually made a list like: .jpg,.bmp,.gif etc... is it the same for Windows
Defender in Windows 10? Nowhere can I find that simple bit of information. Go to Defender help and it dumps you here to sift through thousands and thousands of posts. What a system.

Can anyone give me the format of the excluded file type list? It seems Defender doesn't care what you put there. You could type in the lord's prayer for all it cares.

 

Excluded File Types

Settings | Windows Defender. Scroll down to
Add an exclusion | Click on Exclude a file extension and type in the file extension.

 

Windows Defender won't list Excluded files, File Locations, etc..etc


Hi all,

I have selected certain file types / folders and locations in Windows Defender on Windows 10 that were added to the exclusions lists...

Previously I could go to Windows Defender and see what files, folders or extensions I had excluded but now they have disappeared....

All I see is the add buttons which work as intended when I want to add a folder etc etc....
But then they are not listed anywhere so that I can remember what I have excluded or not....

Can some one please help me so that they are visible again, is there a setting in the registry that needs to be fixed?

This is what I should see where, below the red arrows I should see the excluded files/folders including their path etc etc [see image below]



but I see nothing..

Yet if i go to the registry as indicated below...

File and file location exclusions are stored in the registry key below.

*Arrow HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Paths

File type exclusions are stored in the registry key below.

*Arrow HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Extensions

Processes exclusions are stored in the registry key below.

*Arrow HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions\Processes

they are all listed there....?

I have to say that windows defender is excluding folders/files and etc etc, that I have selected during its scans, but I cant see the excluded items in the Windows Defender as per image of my Exclusions section below...





Thanking you in advance for your support and assistance on this issue....

Cheers