How to exclude files or websites from scans in Avast Antivirus and Avast One on Mac

Excluding certain files or websites from scanning in Avast Antivirus and Avast One for Mac

Although it is generally not recommended, you may want to exclude certain files, folders, or websites from being scanned by Avast Antivirus and Avast One. This can speed up your scans and prevent false-positive detections.

For information about exclusions in Avast Antivirus and Avast One for Windows, refer to the following article: Excluding certain files or websites from scanning in Avast Antivirus and Avast One

Set exclusions

Set exceptions only if you know that the files and websites you want to exclude are safe. If you are unsure about a file, you can scan it in Virus Total, or add the file to Quarantine and submit it to Avast Threat Labs.

To exclude files, folders, or applications from being scanned by Avast Antivirus:

Open Avast Antivirus and click ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences (the gear icon).
Select the Scans tab.
Choose the relevant scan type.
Click Add exceptions.
Select the file, folder, or application you want to exclude from being scanned, then click Open.
If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The file path is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the X icon.

To exclude files, folders, or applications from being scanned by File Shield:

Open Avast Antivirus and click ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences (the gear icon).
Select the Core Shields tab.
Choose File Shield.
Click Add exceptions.
Select the file, folder, or application you want to exclude from being scanned, then click Open.
If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The file path is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the Trash icon.

To exclude websites or domains from being scanned by Web Shield:

Open Avast Antivirus and click ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences (the gear icon).
Select the Core Shields tab.
Choose Web Shield.
Click Add exceptions.
Enter the URL of the website you want to exclude from being scanned and select the Web server services type, then click Add.
If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The website is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the server panel in the exceptions list, then click the Trash icon.

Further recommendations

For more information about managing scan and Core Shields settings in Avast Antivirus for Mac, refer to the following articles:

To exclude files, folders, or applications from being scanned by Avast One:

Open Avast One and select Explore ▸ Scan Center.
Click Open Scan Center.
Ensure that the Scan now tab is selected.
Click Settings (the gear icon) in the panel for your chosen scan.
Click Add exceptions.
Select the file, folder, or application you want to exclude from being scanned, then click Open.
If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The file path is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the X icon.

To exclude files, folders, or applications from scanning by File Shield:

Open Avast One and select Explore ▸ File Shield.
Click Open File Shield.
Select the Exceptions tab.
Click Add exceptions.
Select the file, folder, or application you want to exclude from being scanned, then click Open.
If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.

The file path is added to the exceptions list.

To remove an excluded item, hover your cursor over the file path panel in the exceptions list, then click the X icon.

To exclude websites or domains from scanning by Web Shield:

Open Avast One and select Explore ▸ Web Shield.
Click Open Web Shield.
Select the Exceptions tab.
Click Add exceptions.
Enter the URL of the website you want to exclude from being scanned and select the Web server services type, then click Add.
If prompted, enter the password that you use when you start your Mac, then click OK to authorize the change.