How to Stop Antivirus Defender from Deleting GTA Game Files

Learn how to prevent Windows Defender and antivirus software programs from deleting Grand Theft Auto main files by creating exclusions to avoid false positives and protect GTA directory files or your mods.

When playing or modding Grand Theft Auto V, antivirus programs and Windows Defender may mistakenly flag legitimate game files or mods as threats and delete them.

This guide will help you safely configure your antivirus software to avoid unnecessary file deletions while ensuring your system remains protected.

Understand the Cause

Antivirus programs rely on predefined rules and algorithms to detect potentially harmful files. Modded files or scripts in GTA V may resemble malicious code due to their modifications, triggering false positives.

Steps to Stop Windows Defender from Deleting GTA Files

A. Turn Off Real-Time Protection Temporarily

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu.
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
3. Under “Virus & Threat Protection Settings,” click Manage Settings.
4. Toggle Real-Time Protection off while installing or updating your GTA V files.

Important: Turn it back on once you’ve finished installing or modifying the files.

B. Add an Exclusion for the GTA V Folder

1. Open Virus & Threat Protection in Windows Security.
2. Scroll to Exclusions and click Add or Remove Exclusions.
3. Click Add an Exclusion and select Folder.
4. Browse to your GTA V installation folder and select it.

This tells Windows Defender to ignore all files within the GTA V directory.

Related: How to Install FiveM in GTA 5 for Rockstar Launcher & Steam

Steps to Stop Third-Party Antivirus Software from Deleting GTA Files

A. Disable Automatic Scanning

1. Open your antivirus software.
2. Navigate to Settings or Preferences.
3. Look for options like Real-Time Protection or Automatic Scanning and disable them temporarily.

B. Create Whitelist/Exclusions for GTA V Files

1. Go to your antivirus settings.
2. Find the Exclusions or Whitelist section.
3. Add the following to the exclusions:
   • The GTA V installation folder.
   • The mods folder (if applicable).
   • Any specific mod or script file flagged by the antivirus.
4. Save the changes, then restart your system to apply them.

C. Identify the Exact File Being Flagged

If your antivirus provides details about the flagged file:

1. Check its name and location.
2. Manually add it to the exclusions list to ensure it won’t be scanned or deleted.

Related: How to Verify Integrity of GTA Games on All Platforms

General Tips for Safe Modding

• Download from Trusted Sources: Always download mods, scripts, and tools from reputable sites.
• Scan Files Before Adding Them: Use tools like VirusTotal to scan mod files for malware.
• Keep Backups: Always create a backup of your GTA V installation folder and mods in case something gets deleted or corrupted.

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What to Do If Files Are Already Deleted

If your antivirus has already deleted critical GTA files, follow these steps:

A. Check the Quarantine Folder

1. Open your antivirus software.
2. Navigate to the Quarantine section.
3. Locate the deleted GTA files, select them, and choose Restore or Allow to recover them.

B. Reinstall Missing Files

If the files can’t be restored:

1. Verify the integrity of game files through Steam, Epic Games, or Rockstar Launcher.
2. Re-download any missing mod files from their source.

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Best Practices to Balance Security

• Always turn your antivirus back on after modifying files.
• Regularly update your antivirus software and game mods.
• Use a separate computer or virtual machine for modding if you’re concerned about security risks.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your antivirus doesn’t interfere with your GTA V files, allowing you to enjoy the game or your mods hassle-free!

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