diff --git a/windows/threat-protection/windows-defender-antivirus/configure-extension-file-exclusions-windows-defender-antivirus.md b/windows/threat-protection/windows-defender-antivirus/configure-extension-file-exclusions-windows-defender-antivirus.md index d35a4a4e97..3e6dafe9ff 100644 --- a/windows/threat-protection/windows-defender-antivirus/configure-extension-file-exclusions-windows-defender-antivirus.md +++ b/windows/threat-protection/windows-defender-antivirus/configure-extension-file-exclusions-windows-defender-antivirus.md @@ -211,12 +211,84 @@ You can use the asterisk `*`, question mark `?`, or environment variables (such The following table describes how the wildcards can be used and provides some examples. - -Wildcard | Use in file and file extension exclusions | Use in folder exclusions | Example use | Example matches ----|---|---|--- -`*` (asterisk) | Replaces any number of characters.
Only applies to files in the last folder defined in the argument. | Replaces a single folder.
Use multiple `*` with folder slashes `\` to indicate multiple, nested folders.
After matching to the number of wilcarded and named folders, all subfolders will also be included. |
  1. C:\MyData\my\\**\***.txt
  2. C:\somepath\\**\***\Data
  3. C:\Serv\\**\***\\**\***\Backup
|
  1. C:\MyData\\notes.txt
  2. Any file in:
  3. Any file in:
-`?` (question mark) | Replaces a single character.
Only applies to files in the last folder defined in the argument. | Replaces a single character in a folder name.
After matching to the number of wilcarded and named folders, all subfolders will also be included. |
  1. C:\MyData\my?.zip
  2. C:\somepath\\?\Data
  3. C:\somepath\\test0?\Data
|
  1. C:\MyData\my1.zip
  2. Any file in C:\somepath\\P\Data and its subfolders
  3. Any file in C:\somepath\test01\Data and its subfolders
-Environment variables | The defined variable will be populated as a path when the exclusion is evaluated | Same as file and extension use |
  1. %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\CustomLogFiles
|
  1. C:\ProgramData\CustomLogFiles\Folder1\file1.txt
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
WildcardUse in file and file extension exclusionsUse in folder exclusionsExample useExample matches>
* (asterisk)Replaces any number of characters.
Only applies to files in the last folder defined in the argument. 		Replaces a single folder.
Use multiple * with folder slashes \ to indicate multiple, nested folders.
After matching to the number of wilcarded and named folders, all subfolders will also be included.		 +
    +
  1. C:\MyData\my\*.txt
    2. +
  2. C:\somepath\*\Data
    3. +
  3. C:\Serv\*\*\Backup +
+ 		+
    +
  1. C:\MyData\notes.txt
    2. +
  2. Any file in: +
      +
    • C:\somepath\Archives\Data and its subfolders
      • +
    • C:\somepath\Authorized\Data and its subfolders
      • +
    +
  3. Any file in: +
      +
    • C:\Serv\Primary\Denied\Backup and its subfolders
      • +
    • C:\Serv\Secondary\Allowed\Backup and its subfolders
      • +
    +
+
+ ? (question mark) + + Replaces a single character.
+ Only applies to files in the last folder defined in the argument. + 		+ Replaces a single character in a folder name.
+ After matching to the number of wilcarded and named folders, all subfolders will also be included. + 		+
    +
  1. C:\MyData\my?.zip
    2. +
  2. C:\somepath\?\Data
    3. +
  3. C:\somepath\test0?\Data
    4. +
+ 		+
    +
  1. C:\MyData\my1.zip
    2. +
  2. Any file in C:\somepath\P\Data and its subfolders
    3. +
  3. Any file in C:\somepath\test01\Data and its subfolders
    4. +
+
Environment variablesThe defined variable will be populated as a path when the exclusion is evaluatedSame as file and extension use +
    +
  1. %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\CustomLogFiles
    2. +
+ 		+
    +
  1. C:\ProgramData\CustomLogFiles\Folder1\file1.txt
    2. +
+
>[!IMPORTANT] >If you mix a file exclusion argument with a folder exclusion argument, the rules will stop at the file argument match in the matched folder, and will not look for file matches in any subfolders.