Excluding Windows XP system files from virus scanning

[DSG]

I am just reading (Help and Support Center) a KB article I have never seen
before:
(822158) Jan 9, 2006 for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

The subject is to exclude certain Windows system files during virus scanning
to Avoid Excessive Replication by Antivirus Utilities.

I'm an ordinary Windows XP User and have tried to learn the various
housekeeping chores to keep my computer clean and safe. This article shows
where each file (to be excluded from the virus scan) is located, and talks
about using the registry, but it doesn't tell what to do in the registry; or
how to exclude files from being scanned. I have not found exactly how to do
this. Can someone direct me?

My virus scan help files (addressing what files to scan or not to scan) has
only two options:
(1) Scan all files (recommended)
(2) Program files and documents only

Here is the virus scan program's quote regarding (1) and (2), "If you set
ActiveShield to use the default All Files (recommended) option, it scans
every file type that your computer uses, as your computer attempts to use
it. Use this option to get the most thorough scan possible."

The files to exclude for Windows XP are
Datastore.edb
Edb*.log
.. Res1.log
.. Res2.log
.. Edb.chk
.. Tmp.edb

Please Advise.
DSG

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Obviously, all of this is just my opinion.

Don't worry about it. Pick this option: Scan all files (recommended).

Virus scanning recommendations for computers that are running Windows Server
2003, Windows 2000, or Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822158

What a load of hooey. Everything in %windir%\SoftwareDistribution can be
deleted anyway. Mine is empty, it just takes longer at Windows Update
because all of that crap has to be recreated before I can get updates, but I
delete the contents again when done with Windows Update.

I have none of these keys.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
NTDS\Parameters\DSA Database File

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
NTDS\Parameters\Database Log Files Path

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
NTDS\Parameters\DSA Working Directory

NTDS service for Domain Controllers, something for Active Directory.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
NtFrs\Parameters\Working Directory

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\services\
NtFrs\Parameters\DB Log File Directory

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\services\
NtFrs\Parameters\Replica Sets\GUID\Replica Set Stage

NtFrs = NT File Replication Service (FRS) only for Windows Server 2000 &
2003.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[DSG]

That makes a lot of sense to me. I couldn't understand why I never heard of
this before and all of a sudden I had more housekeeping to do - with no
proper instructions. Thanks for responding. I'm not looking for things to
do - just was startled that I've been scanning everything for years and just
now finding out I could have had a disaster (or not). Thanks.
DSG
......................................
: Obviously, all of this is just my opinion.
:
: Don't worry about it. Pick this option: Scan all files (recommended).
:
: Virus scanning recommendations for computers that are running Windows
Server
: 2003, Windows 2000, or Windows XP
: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822158
:
: What a load of hooey. Everything in %windir%\SoftwareDistribution can be
: deleted anyway. Mine is empty, it just takes longer at Windows Update
: because all of that crap has to be recreated before I can get updates, but
I
: delete the contents again when done with Windows Update.
:
: I have none of these keys.
:
: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
: NTDS\Parameters\DSA Database File
:
: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
: NTDS\Parameters\Database Log Files Path
:
: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
: NTDS\Parameters\DSA Working Directory
:
: NTDS service for Domain Controllers, something for Active Directory.
:
: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
: NtFrs\Parameters\Working Directory
:
: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\services\
: NtFrs\Parameters\DB Log File Directory
:
: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\currentcontrolset\services\
: NtFrs\Parameters\Replica Sets\GUID\Replica Set Stage
:
: NtFrs = NT File Replication Service (FRS) only for Windows Server 2000 &
: 2003.
:
: --
: Hope this helps. Let us know.
:
: Wes
: MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
:
: In : DSG <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
: > I am just reading (Help and Support Center) a KB article I have never
seen
: > before:
: > (822158) Jan 9, 2006 for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server
: > 2003.
: >
: > The subject is to exclude certain Windows system files during virus
: > scanning to Avoid Excessive Replication by Antivirus Utilities.
: >
: > I'm an ordinary Windows XP User and have tried to learn the various
: > housekeeping chores to keep my computer clean and safe. This article
shows
: > where each file (to be excluded from the virus scan) is located, and
talks
:
: > about using the registry, but it doesn't tell what to do in the
registry;
: > or how to exclude files from being scanned. I have not found exactly
how
: > to do this. Can someone direct me?
: >
: > My virus scan help files (addressing what files to scan or not to scan)
: > has only two options:
: > (1) Scan all files (recommended)
: > (2) Program files and documents only
: >
: > Here is the virus scan program's quote regarding (1) and (2), "If you
set
: > ActiveShield to use the default All Files (recommended) option, it scans
: > every file type that your computer uses, as your computer attempts to
use
: > it. Use this option to get the most thorough scan possible."
: >
: > The files to exclude for Windows XP are
: > Datastore.edb
: > Edb*.log
: > . Res1.log
: > . Res2.log
: > . Edb.chk
: > . Tmp.edb
: >
: > Please Advise.
: > DSG
:

 

[Dr Teeth]

I was just thinking how wonderful life was, when "Wesley Vogel"

Everything in %windir%\SoftwareDistribution can be
deleted anyway. Mine is empty, it just takes longer at Windows Update
because all of that crap has to be recreated before I can get updates, but I
delete the contents again when done with Windows Update.

Hi Wesley,

Why?

I have checked here and my %windir%\SoftwareDistribution folder
occupies 15.2MB on a 250GB disk. If deleting them makes it take longer
to deal with updates I cannot see any reason.

You have helped me many times before and I recon that if you delete
them there may be a good reason that I cannot think of <g>.


--
Cheers,

Guy

** Stress - the condition brought about by having to
** resist the temptation to beat the living daylights
** out of someone who richly deserves it.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Guy,

No logical reason, maybe no good reason. I just do it. I don't recommend
it to others, I was just pointing out that there was nothing valuable that
AV scanning could hurt.

I have a 10GB hard drive. I visit Windows Update once a month, so what if
it takes a little longer. I only enable the Automatic Updates and
Background Intelligent Transfer Service services just before the visit and
disable them when done also.

My good reason? Just because. ;-) If I had a 250 GB drive, I probably
wouldn't even bother.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Dr Teeth]

I was just thinking how wonderful life was, when "Wesley Vogel"

My good reason? Just because. ;-)

Sounds good enough to me Wes <g>.

Thanks.



--
Cheers,

Guy

** Stress - the condition brought about by having to
** resist the temptation to beat the living daylights
** out of someone who richly deserves it.

 

[MBI]

I have a 10GB hard drive. I visit Windows Update once a month, so what if

it takes a little longer. I only enable the Automatic Updates and
Background Intelligent Transfer Service services just before the visit and
disable them when done also.

My good reason? Just because. ;-) If I had a 250 GB drive, I probably
wouldn't even bother.

Wes, it would appear you run a clean lean machine. Any other tips
regarding useless stuff you dump to keep it that way? Any pointers to
salient websites or articles would be appreciated. The XP bloat is
killing me.

Thanks.