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windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-antivirus/common-exclusion-mistakes-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ manager: dansimp
 You can define an exclusion list for items that you don't want Microsoft Defender Antivirus to scan. Such excluded items could contain threats that make your device vulnerable. 
 See [Configure and validate exclusions for Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans](configure-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md) for more information.
 
-This article describes some common mistakes that you should avoid when defining exclusions from Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans. 
+Also, see [Recommendations for defining exclusions](configure-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md#recommendations-for-defining-exclusions) before defining your exclusion lists.
 
 ## Excluding certain trusted items
 There are certain files, file types, folders, or processes that you should not exclude from scanning even though you trust them to be not malicious. Refer to the following section for items that you should not exclude from scanning.
@@ -97,6 +97,9 @@ There are certain files, file types, folders, or processes that you should not e
 - .wsf
 - .zip
 
+>[!NOTE]
+> You can chose to exclude file types, such as .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png if your environment has a modern, up-to-date software with a strict update policy to handle any vulnerabilities.
+
 **Do not add exclusions for the following processes:**  
 - AcroRd32.exe
 - bitsadmin.exe

windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-antivirus/configure-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md

@@ -25,13 +25,23 @@ manager: dansimp
 
 You can exclude certain files, folders, processes, and process-opened files from Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans. Such exclusions apply to [scheduled scans](scheduled-catch-up-scans-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md), [on-demand scans](run-scan-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md), and [always-on real-time protection and monitoring](configure-real-time-protection-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md). Exclusions for process-opened files only apply to real-time protection.
 
->[!WARNING]
+## Recommendations for defining exclusions  
->Defining exclusions lowers the protection offered by Microsoft Defender Antivirus. You should always evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing exclusions, and you should only exclude files that you are confident are not malicious.
+Defining exclusions lowers the protection offered by Microsoft Defender Antivirus. You should always evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing exclusions, and you should only exclude files that you are confident are not malicious.
 
+The following is a list of recommendations that you should keep in mind when defining exclusions:  
+- Exclusions are technically a protection gap—always consider additional mitigations when defining exclusions. Additional mitigations could be as simple as making sure the excluded location has the appropriate access-control lists (ACLs), audit policy, is processed by an up-to-date software, etc.
+- Review the exclusions periodically. Re-check and re-enforce the mitigations as part of the review process.
+- Ideally, avoid defining proactive exclusions. For instance, don't exclude something just because you think it might be a problem in the future. Use exclusions only for specific issues—mostly around performance, or sometimes around application compatibility that exclusions could mitigate.
+- Audit the exclusion list changes. The security admin should preserve enough context around why a certain exclusion was added. You should be able to provide answer with specific reasoning as to why a certain path was excluded.
+
+## Configure and validate exclusions
+
+To configure and validate exclusions, see the following:   
 - [Configure and validate exclusions based on file name, extension, and folder location](configure-extension-file-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md). This enables you to exclude files from Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans based on their file extension, file name, or location.
 
 - [Configure and validate exclusions for files opened by processes](configure-process-opened-file-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md). This enables you to exclude files from scans that have been opened by a specific process.
 
 ## Related articles
 
-[Microsoft Defender Antivirus exclusions on Windows Server 2016](configure-server-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
+- [Microsoft Defender Antivirus exclusions on Windows Server 2016](configure-server-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
+- [Common mistakes to avoid when defining exclusions](common-exclusion-mistakes-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)

windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-antivirus/configure-extension-file-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md

@@ -569,3 +569,4 @@ You can also copy the string into a blank text file and attempt to save it with
 - [Configure and validate exclusions in Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans](configure-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
 - [Configure and validate exclusions for files opened by processes](configure-process-opened-file-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
 - [Configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus exclusions on Windows Server](configure-server-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
+- [Common mistakes to avoid when defining exclusions](common-exclusion-mistakes-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)

windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-antivirus/configure-process-opened-file-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md

@@ -194,5 +194,6 @@ See [Use PowerShell cmdlets to configure and run Microsoft Defender Antivirus](u
 - [Configure and validate exclusions in Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans](configure-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
 - [Configure and validate exclusions based on file name, extension, and folder location](configure-extension-file-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
 - [Configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus exclusions on Windows Server](configure-server-exclusions-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
+- [Common mistakes to avoid when defining exclusions](common-exclusion-mistakes-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
 - [Customize, initiate, and review the results of Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans and remediation](customize-run-review-remediate-scans-microsoft-defender-antivirus.md)
 - [Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10](microsoft-defender-antivirus-in-windows-10.md)