Defender Exclusion Tool

Irrespective of whether you are using Windows embedded antivirus or other third-party protection solution, you need to make sure that they do not scan critical Files and Folders. Sometimes, it may happen that they delete critical files or cause other problems that lead to slow performance.
Defender Exclusion Tool is a tool designed to help you conveniently add skip exceptions for Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials.

Simply add the file that should be skipped during scanning

The program is portable, so you do not have to bother with installation or configuration. After you download and decompress the archive in the desired location on your drive, simply launch the executable and you are ready to add exceptions to Windows Defender. This can be done with either drag and drop or via the dedicated button located in the app's menu.
Take note that adding exceptions can be done from Windows Defender Security Center as well, although the operation may require some extra steps. Simply navigate to Virus & threat protection settings, find Exclusions and select the file, folder, file type of process you want as exception.
Removing exceptions from the list is just as simple and you can delete one or all items added from the context menu. The other noteworthy functions in the context menu include copying the path, opening the location and checking out the file properties.

A simple tool that help you manage exceptions in Windows antivirus solutions

In case you need to add exceptions frequently, then you have the possibility of adding the app to the file or folder context menu. Moreover, you can add arguments, such as using the Shift key to display them all.
In the eventuality that you want to make sure that critical files and folders are not messed with during the standard antivirus scan in Windows Defender, then perhaps you can consider giving Defender Exclusion Tool a try.