How to exclude files from McAfee virus scans on Windows or macOS

NOTE: In September 2020, McAfee updated the Windows security products with a new look and feel:

To learn how to exclude known safe files and applications, click to view the relevant steps:

  1. Open your McAfee security software.
  2. Click the settings gear icon at the top-right of the screen.
  3. Under PC Settings, click Real-Time Scanning.
  4. Under Excluded Files, click Add file.
  5. Browse to, and select, the file that you want to exclude from Real-Time scanning.
  6. Repeat the process as needed to exclude multiple files from being scanned.
  1. Open your McAfee security software.
  2. Click PC Security.
  3. Click Real-Time Scanning.
  4. Click Excluded Files.
  5. Click Add file.
  6. Browse to, and select, the file that you want to exclude from Real-Time scanning.
  7. Repeat the process as needed to exclude multiple files from being scanned.
  1. Open your McAfee security software.
  2. Click Mac Security.
  3. Click Real-Time Scanning.
  4. Click Excluded Files.
  5. Click Add.
  6. Browse to, and select, the file that you want to exclude from Real-Time scanning.
  7. Repeat the process as needed to exclude multiple files from being scanned.

The Real-Time Scanner does not scan your chosen files after you complete the steps above.