Wildcards in protection settings folder exclusions

You can use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard for all operating systems when specifying folder exclusions in the

Protection settings

tab.

Character	Meaning
*	Use the asterisk to exclude folders and to represent a prefix or suffix for a folder name. The asterisk matches one or more characters, except platform-specific path separator ('\'). Multiple wildcards are allowed in an exclusion path. At this time, "" escaping is not supported. For example, you cannot exclude a folder that contains an asterisk "" in the folder name. Previous folder exclusion functionality still applies. This means that exclusions will also apply to any child folders.
Examples of folder exclusions	The following are examples of excluding C:\Application\TestFolder1\MyApp\program.exe . Examples of correct use of wildcards in folder exclusions An exclusion without any wildcards. C:\Application\TestFolder1\MyApp\ A wildcard is used to specify a parent folder of the "MyApp" folder C:\Application\\MyApp\ A wildcard is used to specify that there is a prefix (i.e. "Test") in the folder name for the agent to compare against. C:\Application\Folder1\MyApp\ A wildcard is used to specify that there is a suffix (i.e. "1") in the folder name for the agent to compare against. C:\Application\TestFolder\MyApp\ A wildcard is used to specify that there is a prefix (i.e. "Test") and a suffix (i.e. "1") in the folder name for the agent to compare against. C:\Application\Folder\MyApp\ A wild card is used to exclude all folders under "Application" in the C: drive. C:\Application\\ A wild card is used to exclude all folders under "Application" for all drives. \Application\\ Examples of incorrect use of wildcards in folder exclusions C:\Application\TestFolder1\MyApp\.exe A wild card cannot be used in the file name of an executable. Use wildcards for folder or directory names only. C:\Application\* Double asterisks (*) are not supported in folder exclusions. Use a single asterisk () instead. Folder exclusions that are not recommended C:\* Although this exclusion is a valid entry, it would effectively exclude anything in any directory (including child directories) in the entire C: drive.

Character

Meaning

Use the asterisk to exclude folders and to represent a prefix or suffix for a folder name.

The asterisk matches one or more characters, except platform-specific path separator ('\').

Multiple wildcards are allowed in an exclusion path.

At this time, "*" escaping is not supported. For example, you cannot exclude a folder that contains an asterisk "*" in the folder name.

Previous folder exclusion functionality still applies. This means that exclusions will also apply to any child folders.

Examples of folder exclusions

The following are examples of excluding

C:\Application\TestFolder1\MyApp\program.exe

Examples of correct use of wildcards in folder exclusions

An exclusion without any wildcards.

C:\Application\TestFolder1\MyApp\

A wildcard is used to specify a parent folder of the "MyApp" folder

C:\Application\*\MyApp\

A wildcard is used to specify that there is a prefix (i.e. "Test") in the folder name for the agent to compare against.

C:\Application\*Folder1\MyApp\

A wildcard is used to specify that there is a suffix (i.e. "1") in the folder name for the agent to compare against.

C:\Application\TestFolder*\MyApp\

A wildcard is used to specify that there is a prefix (i.e. "Test") and a suffix (i.e. "1") in the folder name for the agent to compare against.

C:\Application\*Folder*\MyApp\

A wild card is used to exclude all folders under "Application" in the C: drive.

C:\Application\*\

A wild card is used to exclude all folders under "Application" for all drives.

*\Application\*\

Examples of incorrect use of wildcards in folder exclusions

C:\Application\TestFolder1\MyApp\*.exe

A wild card cannot be used in the file name of an executable. Use wildcards for folder or directory names only.

C:\Application\**

Double asterisks (**) are not supported in folder exclusions. Use a single asterisk (*) instead.

Folder exclusions that are not recommended

C:\*

Although this exclusion is a valid entry, it would effectively exclude anything in any directory (including child directories) in the entire C: drive.

Section:

Protection settings