Antivirus exception
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How to bypass the Windows Defender false alarm

Updated:

In this article, you will learn how to bypass the Windows Defender false alarm and resolve any issues with the Surfshark app caused by it.

NOTE: Before attempting the steps below, we highly recommend updating the Surfshark application, as this can easily fix the Windows Defender issue.

 

Bypass the Windows Defender false alarm on Windows 10

  1. Press the Windows Key on your keyboard and click on Settings.
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  2. Select Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
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  3. Under Virus & threat protection updates, click Check for updates.
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  4. You may be asked to click Check for updates once more. If so, please click it.
    2.png

 

Add Surfshark app in the exception list of Windows Defender on Windows 10

If the previous steps did not work, try adding the Surfshark application to the exception list of Windows Defender with the following steps:

  1. On the Virus & threat protection page, click on Manage Settings instead of Check for updates.
    Manage_settings.png

  2. At the bottom of the page, click on Add or remove exclusions.
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  3. Finally, click on Add exclusion and select the Surfshark folder. The default directory for your Surfshark folder is: C:\Program Files\Surfshark

 

Bypass the Windows Defender false alarm on Windows 11

 

  1. Right-click the Start button, and click on Settings.
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  2. Click on System.
    vmconnect_WsbeuTRwPM.png

  3. Click Troubleshoot.
    vmconnect_uOa5Ua7TnK.png

  4. Click on Other troubleshooters.
    vmconnect_EJQuT6cvF4.png

  5. Lastly, click on Run next to Windows Update.
    vmconnect_I0SXznjAjM.png

 

Add Surfshark app in the exception list of Windows Defender on Windows 11

If the previous steps did not work, try adding the Surfshark application to the exception list of Windows Defender with the following steps:

  1. Press the Start button, and go to Settings.
    vmconnect_7hkONbIp5Z.png

  2. Under Privacy & Security, select Virus & threat protection.

  3. Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings.
    1.png

  4. Under the Exclusions tab, select Add or remove exclusions.
    2__1_.png

  5. Select Add an exclusion and then select the Surfshark folder. The default directory for the Surfshark folder is: C:\Program Files\Surfshark


  6. Alternatively, you can add the SurfsharkSetup.exe file as an exclusion if your Surfshark folder files are corrupted, and you need to reinstall the whole application.

 

 

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