> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/new-addition-to-windows-defender-exclusion-list.md).
# New addition to Windows Defender exclusion list
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Hour |
| Required Data | XDR Agent |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: File/Path Exclusions (T1564.012), Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools (T1562.001) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
Windows Defender keeps the exclusion list in the registry, and any addition to it will cause it to ignore a process, path or file extension.
### Attacker's Goals
Gain code execution on the host and evade security controls.
### Investigative actions
* Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
* Check the excluded object type (process, path or extension) and nature.
* Check if the excluded object is malicious.
### Variations
New addition to Windows Defender exclusion list from an unsigned process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hide Artifacts: File/Path Exclusions (T1564.012), Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Tools (T1562.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
Windows Defender keeps the exclusion list in the registry, and any addition to it will cause it to ignore a process, path or file extension.
**Attacker's Goals**
Gain code execution on the host and evade security controls.
**Investigative actions**
* Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
* Check the excluded object type (process, path or extension) and nature.
* Check if the excluded object is malicious.
---
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