Comparing files is slow because of Microsoft Defender Antivirus

[tarest]

I noticed that comparing directories in Total Commander (Commands > Synchronize Dirs ..., select the "by content" checkbox, and press the "Compare" button) is slow if Microsoft Defender Antivirus is installed, because the antivirus uses most of the CPU to scan the files being compared:

Image: https://i.stack.imgur.com/AT89D.png

If I configure Microsoft Defender to not monitor Total Commander process i.e. if I set:
Windows Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Add or remove exclusions > Add an exclusion > Process
to:
C:\Program Files\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE,
then the directory comparison is much faster:

Image: https://i.stack.imgur.com/9fPKY.png

Image: https://i.stack.imgur.com/jJJSb.png

Is it safe to add the C:\Program Files\totalcmd\TOTALCMD64.EXE process exclusion in Microsoft Defender?

[Horst.Epp]

TC checks itself on start-up, so yes its safe to exclude it.

[ghisler(Author)]

Not really, it could be replaced with malware where this self test is patched out.

To be on the safe side, install TC to a directory under "Program files" and then check the certificate via Alt+Enter. Then don't run any elevated programs which might modify the EXE.