Windows Defender blocking excavator.exe without any ability to react - bug in Windows Defender UI

[nicehashdev]

If you are getting issues about application (excavator.exe) being blocked by Windows Defender security, then we are also aware that there is no way to make any decision about this block, because it is simply not visible anywhere. There are 2 possible solutions you can take:

1. After you install NiceHash QuickMiner and Windows Defender starts blocking it, perform manual virus scan of the folder where you installed NiceHash QuickMiner. This will show you the blocked file and give you options to react. Please, choose "Allow on device". This is going to help in the future so it does not keep happening if enough people choose "Allow on device" because this protection is based on reputation.
2. Turn off Reputation based protection as visible on the following picture: https://github.com/nicehash/NiceHashQuickMiner/wiki/Troubleshooting#defender-issue We do not recommend doing this one as it makes your PC less secure.

[Gabriel-hue-eng]

I don`t understand the set up as i downloaded yet not working

[mishmanners]

Still doesn't work for me. Every time I click "Allow on Device" it defaults back and then the miner won't work. Any other work arounds?

[mishmanners]

OMG I fixed it 🥳 With the new Windows Defender settings, many of the above steps won't work. Ie. simply enabling "Allow on device" does not work.

Instead, do this:

• Go to "Windows Security"
• Go to "Virus & thread protection"
• Scroll down to "Exclusions"
• Click "Add or remove exclusions"
• Click "Add an exclusion"
• Select "Folder" from the drop down
• Navigate to your "NiceHash Miner" folder
• Click "Select Folder"

Now open NiceHashMiner.exe and it should work! No more pop ups either!

[mishmanners]

Would you like me to add the above to the Documentation?

[nicehashdev]

Looks like you did this for NiceHash Miner? It is another product that we do not care so much regarding AVs, because it is actually less secure - it runs 3rd party software that we don't know what is inside.

But when it comes to NiceHash QuickMiner, it should not have any issues with any AV and we will fight this to happen one day, one way or another.

[Murphylogs]

OMG I fixed it 🥳 With the new Windows Defender settings, many of the above steps won't work. Ie. simply enabling "Allow on device" does not work.

Instead, do this:

• Go to "Windows Security"
• Go to "Virus & thread protection"
• Scroll down to "Exclusions"
• Click "Add or remove exclusions"
• Click "Add an exclusion"
• Select "Folder" from the drop down
• Navigate to your "NiceHash Miner" folder
• Click "Select Folder"

Now open NiceHashMiner.exe and it should work! No more pop ups either!

DUDE thanks so much, gets un easy when your on windows 10

[adeldaoud]

I have the same issue. AV is turned off on all levels yet the Windows removes the file as I am downloading it from Chrome and Edge. I downloaded an older installer, which went under AV radar. But when I installed the most recent version NiceHash QuickMiner, AV removed the exe file. No traces of this removal in AV history. Also, adding the QuickMiner installation folder to the AV safelist does not help. I am stuck. Any ideas?