{"id":5892,"date":"2020-11-11T17:48:40","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T17:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fileinspect.com\/blog\/?p=5892"},"modified":"2020-11-11T17:48:40","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T17:48:40","slug":"fix-windows-defender-deleting-program-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fileinspect.com\/blog\/fix-windows-defender-deleting-program-files\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Windows Defender deleting Program Files on Windows 10?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Windows operating system comes with a free built-in security solution called Windows Defender. It\u2019s a reliable anti-malware tool that provides protection against ransomware, spyware and other types of malware. Plus, it doesn\u2019t interfere with the normal functioning of other apps installed on your system. Admittedly, Windows Defender is a useful anti-malware program that may provide sufficient protection for an ordinary Windows user.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, sometimes the app makes mistakes. So, what if Windows Defender is deleting program files in Windows 10 without your permission? In today\u2019s Windows 10 tutorial, we discuss the various methods that you can use to prevent this from happening and how to add files to the Windows Defender exclusion list.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Stop Windows Defender from Deleting Program Files on Windows 10<\/h2>\n

It’s not usual for Windows Defender to delete important files like documents, pictures, videos, audio files, and even .exe programs. This could lead to the loss of valuable data, which might cost you your client or lead to financial losses. For this reason, you should find out why the built-in security app is behaving this way and how to stop it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Method 1: Disable Storage Sense<\/h2>\n

One factor that can cause Windows Defender to keep deleting files from your computer without confirmation is Storage Sense. This Windows feature helps to free up disk space by deleting files that have been inactive for a while. It also deletes cloud-backed content from your Windows device except that marked as \u201cAlways keep on this device\u201d. When turned on, this feature automatically cleans your computer, including the Recycle Bin and items in the Downloads folder, when you’re running low on disk space.<\/span><\/p>\n

This feature is located in Settings > System > Storage, where you can configure it according to your preferences. To stop Windows from deleting program files automatically, you need to disable Storage Sense. To do this, follow the steps below:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Open the \u201cSettings\u201d app using the Win + I shortcut.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Go to System > Storage.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Check if \u201cStorage Sense\u201d is enabled. If it is, click the toggle button to disable it.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Click the \u201cConfigure Storage Sense or run it now\u201d link and check if any options are enabled. If they are, turn them off to prevent the automatic deletion of files on your drives, including temporary files and those stored in the cloud. For instance, under \u201cTemporary Files\u201d, uncheck the option that says \u201cDelete temporary files that my apps aren\u2019t using\u201d. This prevents Windows Defender from deleting files in your Recycle Bin regardless of how long they have been there.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Method 2: Uninstall Faulty Windows Updates<\/h2>\n

    As you are aware, Microsoft delivers occasional updates to Windows 10 to improve certain features and boost the security of your system. However, it’s not uncommon that some of these updates can cause issues like system instability, PC lag, errors, and even the loss of data. This is especially true if the new updates are incompatible with your operating system or the update files are corrupt.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In such a scenario, the best approach is to uninstall the faulty Windows updates that could be responsible for deleting files on your Windows 10 PC. You can achieve this via the traditional Control Panel or by using the \u201cSettings\u201d app.<\/span><\/p>\n

    To use the Control Panel, follow these steps:<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Press the Windows logo on your keyboard, type in \u201cControl Panel\u201d (without quotes) and press \u201cEnter\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Once the \u201cControl Panel\u201d window appears, select \u201cPrograms\u201d and click the \u201cView installed updates\u201d link.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. On the next screen, you\u2019ll see a list of all the currently installed updates along with their dates of installation. If you have an idea as to when Windows Defender started to automatically delete program files, go to the \u201cInstalled On\u201d column and click the dropdown arrow.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Next, choose the date that you suspect the faulty updates were installed. If you’re not sure about the exact date, you can check one of the boxes below the calendar to narrow down your search:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n