Scan excluded files and directories during quick scans: registry value QuickScanIncludeExclusionsComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan

Policy ID: Scan_QuickScanIncludeExclusions
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Microsoft Defender Antivirus › Scan

Registry

QuickScanIncludeExclusions

-Computer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan Current key

QuickScanIncludeExclusions

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: -

Options
Item	Stored value
0	0
1	1

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan]

; Options (use only one)
; 0
"QuickScanIncludeExclusions"=dword:00000000
; 1
"QuickScanIncludeExclusions"=dword:00000001

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: 0
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan" /v "QuickScanIncludeExclusions" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
:: 1
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan" /v "QuickScanIncludeExclusions" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# 0
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan' -Name 'QuickScanIncludeExclusions' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null
# 1
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan' -Name 'QuickScanIncludeExclusions' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null