QuickBooks Antivirus Exclusions: Top 11 Antivirus Steps

This is where QuickBooks antivirus exclusions comes into play. You’ll must ensure that none of the antiviruses restrict QB files/background processes from running. Fortunately, it isn’t as complicated as it sounds, and you are on the right source to know how. This guide will walk you through the potential symptoms you might face when QuickBooks gets restricted by an antivirus, prerequisites before addressing the problem, and finally all the countermeasures (QuickBooks Desktop antivirus exclusions) you need to set in place to get your QB Desktop back up and running smoothly. Keep reading to know more!

Key Factors to Consider Before you Configure QuickBooks Exclusions in Antivirus

QuickBooks blocked by antivirus is a common issue that leads to unexpected performance glitches or sudden crashes while performing monetary tasks. You might encounter QuickBooks connection issues, internet connectivity problems, multi-user mode issues, or crashes during QB launch due to antiviruses blacklisting or restricting QB files. Here are some important points for you to look at before starting the counteractions:

⚠️ Warning: Excluding entire drives (e.g., C:) or system folders (e.g., Windows) exposes your PC to malware. Always limit exclusions to QB-specific paths.

• Make sure you have installed the latest QuickBooks updates to ensure there aren’t any compatibility issues with the antivirus.
  

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• Also, your OS must be up-to-date to ensure QuickBooks doesn’t develop issues while collaborating with OS features and services. Check out how to download the latest Windows updates.

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  Important:  Configure the Windows firewall settings using the QuickBooks port configuration mentioned in the reference article.

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• Before manual exclusions, use QuickBooks Tool Hub (Download free from Intuit). Download and run the Tool Hub. Use File Doctor to auto-fix firewall/network issues. Use QB Database Server Manager to resolve multi-user mode issues.
  

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• Run QuickBooks in admin mode (right-click QuickBooks.exe file/QB Desktop icon > Run as Administrator).
  

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• Running multiple antiviruses (e.g., McAfee + Windows Defender) can override exclusions. To resolve: Ensure all installed antiviruses have QuickBooks exclusions. Disable overlapping real-time scanning features. Set Windows Defender to Passive Mode if using a third-party AV.
  

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• If company files are stored outside C:UsersPublicDocuments, open QuickBooks > File > Open > Locate your company file path. Add this custom path to your antivirus exclusions (e.g., D:QB_Company_Files).
  

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• Third-party integrations, such as Bill.com or Gusto Payroll, may require separate exclusions. For Bill.com, exclude C:Program FilesBill.com. For SaaS antivirus tools, add QB paths to cloud console exclusions (e.g., Huntress, Carbon Black).
  

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• Prevent update failures by excluding C:ProgramDataIntuitQuickBooksUpdates and C:Program FilesCommon FilesIntuitQuickBooksQBUpdatevXX.
  

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• On the host machine, exclude QBDBMgrN.exe in server AVs (e.g., Symantec Endpoint Protection). Use tools like Kaspersky Security Center to push exclusions across all workstations.
  

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• Even with exclusions, User Account Control (UAC) can block QB. Right-click QB desktop shortcut > Run as Administrator. To disable UAC temporarily: Press Win + R > msconfig > Tools > Change UAC Settings. Set to Never Notify (re-enable after troubleshooting).

QuickBooks-Compatible Antivirus Programs

The official QuickBooks developer team has tested QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2024, Premier 2024, Enterprise 24.0, and other software products with various antivirus and antimalware programs. Here is the list of all the antiviruses that are compatible with QuickBooks by default or after making some minor changes in their settings:

Antivirus Software

Anti-malware Software

We can’t speak for all the antivirus programs, but the ones listed above shouldn’t raise conflicts running with QuickBooks. On the off chance you have one of the above programs and are still interfering with QB operations, move to the next section of our blog to configure QuickBooks exclusions in antivirus.

Methods to Configure QuickBooks Desktop Antivirus Exclusions

Even antivirus programs generally compatible with QuickBooks can sometimes mistakenly restrict QB files, which becomes the root for major problems. QuickBooks connection errors after antivirus update are also common and can be resolved too. You basically have to remove QB executable programs and files from the quarantine list of your antivirus to tackle the problem. Mentioned below are some critical QB files (with system location) that must be in your QuickBooks antivirus exclusions list 2025:

NOTE: Do not worry if you see Program Files (x86); it simply means you have a 64-bit OS.
These are the crucial QB files that must be your point of focus when checking the quarantine list of your antivirus or configuring the exclusions. Now, let’s see how to add QuickBooks antivirus exceptions on Windows 11/Windows 10 for some common antiviruses:

(1) QuickBooks Blocked by Norton Antivirus

If you use Norton on your system and doubt that QuickBooks is getting blocked by the same, here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Launch Norton and access the Device Security menu.
2. Click Settings and choose Antivirus in the window.
3. Navigate to the Scans and Risks tab and go to the Exclusions/Low Risks section.
   
4. Select the Configure option for each of the Items to Exclude from Scans and Items to Exclude from Auto-Protect, Script Control Behavorial Protection and Download Intelligence Detection options.
5. Select Add Folders or Add Files in the new window and tap Add Item.
6. Click Browse and select all the QB executable files from the table above (individually if required).
7. Tap OK for all the files and save the settings on your Norton Antivirus.

NOTE: Once the exclusion is added verify it via antivirus logs: For Norton/McAfee, go to Security History > Filter by Blocked Items. Search for QB files like QBDBMgrN.exe. For Windows Defender, open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Security. Look for Event ID 1121 (Blocked File). If QB files appear in logs, re-add exclusions and restart the system.

(2) QuickBooks Blocked by McAfee Antivirus

You need to apply the following steps if you have McAfee antivirus program installed on your PC:

1. Launch McAfee and click the My Protection option.
2. Click the Real-Time Scanning option under Device.
   
3. Select the Add File option in the Excluded Files section and browse to the location of your QB executable files.
4. Repeat the steps for all the QB executable files given in the table above to ensure they do not get blocked in the future again.

(3) Unblock QuickBooks in ESET Antivirus

Follow these steps if you have ESET antivirus on your PC:

1. Launch your ESET antivirus program and press F5 on the keyboard to open the Advanced Setup window.
2. Select the Detection engine menu and tap Exclusions.
3. Tap Edit beside the Performance Exclusion & Detection Exclusion options individually.
   
4. Click Add and use Browse to enter the location of all the QB executable files mentioned in the table.
5. Tap Open and then OK to include that QB executable file for exemption.

NOTE: Remember, you cannot select multiple files, so you’ll have to repeat the steps for all the QB files one at a time (both for Performance Exclusion & Detection Exclusion).

(4) QuickBooks Blocked by Trend Micro Antivirus

Apply the following steps to exempt QuickBooks files from Trend Micro antivirus:

1. Go to the Settings menu in the Trend Micro program and select Exception Lists.
   
2. Click the Program/Folders option and tap Add.
3. Use Browse to mention all the QuickBooks executable files individually, and click Apply when done.

(5) QuickBooks Blocked by Avast Antivirus

You must apply the following steps if you have Avast antivirus on your PC:

1. Open the Avast program on your PC and go to Menu.
2. Click the Settings option and then General.
3. Now, select Exceptions and click the Add Exception option before hitting Next.
   
4. Tap the I understand Risks option and click Browse in the next window.
5. Enter (individually) the folder paths for all the QB files mentioned in the table above and click Add Exception.

(6) QuickBooks Connection Issues with BitDefender

In case you are having problems using QuickBooks with BitDefender, here are the steps to follow:

1. Run the BitDefender application and go to the Protection menu.
2. Click Open in the Antivirus section and select Settings.
3. Further, click the Manage Exceptions option and tap Add an Exception.
   
4. Now, you’ll have to add a QB file from the given table and toggle (turn on) the Antivirus button below Protection Feature.
5. Tap Save to exclude the selected QB file and repeat the steps for all the files in the table.

 (7) Add QuickBooks to Windows Defender Exclusions

Yes, you’ll also have to exclude QuickBooks files from Windows Defender to prevent them from getting blocked. Here’s how:

1. Click the Windows Start button on the taskbar and select Settings in the pop-up.
2. Click Privacy & Security on the left panel and select Virus & Threat protection.
3. Scroll down in the Windows Security window and tap Manage Settings below Virus & Threat protection settings.
   
4. Scroll down and click Add or remove exclusions below Exclusions.
5. Click Add an exclusion in the next menu and enter all the QB-executable files mentioned in the table.

(8) Exclusions for QuickBooks to Work with Kaspersky Antivirus

If you use Kaspersky on your computer, here are the steps to add QuickBooks files to the Kaspersky exclusion list:

1. Launch the Kaspersky program and click the Gear icon in the bottom of the window to open Settings.
2. Click the Security Settings option and select Threats & exclusions.
3. Tap the Manage Exclusions option to go to the Exclusions window.
   
4. Hit Add and tap Browse.
5. Go to the File or Folder field and fill in the location of a QB executable file.
6. Clear/mark the checkboxes for protection components that must not be included in the exclusion rule.
7. Choose the Active status for the rule and hit Add to exclude the specified file from scanning. Repeat the steps for all QuickBooks executable files.

(9) QuickBooks Blocked by Webroot SecureAnywhere

Use the following method to exclude QB files if you have a Webroot SecureAnywhere antivirus program on your PC:

1. Launch Webroot SecureAnywhere and select the PC Security option.
2. Select the Block/Allow files option and tap the Add file button.
   
3. Enter the location of your QB executable files from the table above and ensure the Block button is marked beside each of them.

(10) QuickBooks Blocked by Comodo

The following steps will help you exclude QB programs and files if you use Comodo antivirus:

1. Run your Comodo program and click the Settings option.
2. Navigate to the Advanced Protection menu and click Scan Exclusions.
3. Tap Excluded Paths and hit Add to start adding files for exclusion.
   
4. Click the File option and select all the QB files from the table above (one by one if needed to).
5. Tap OK after selecting a QB file to include it in the exclusion list.

(11) QuickBooks Blocked by Sophos

The following steps are for you to execute if your system has Sophos antivirus:

1. Launch the Sophos program and sign in to your account in the home dashboard.
2. Navigate to the Protection menu and go to the General tab below.
   
3. Move to the Exceptions section and fill in the path to a QB program file.
4. Tap OK to exclude that particular file and repeat the steps for all the QB files mentioned in the table above.

Cloud Antivirus Solutions

For CrowdStrike Falcon Users

• Access the CrowdStrike Falcon Console.
• Go to Prevention Policies > Edit Policy. Under Ransomware Protection, select Add Exclusion.
• Type in QuickBooks directories: C:Program FilesIntuitQuickBooks and C:ProgramData (Hidden folder)IntuitQuickBooksUpdates.
• Click Save and deploy the policy to members’ machines.

For SentinelOne Users

• Navigate to the Exceptions by going to the SentinelOne Management Console, Policies > Exceptions.
• Click Add Exception and choose a Path.
• Add these paths, e.g., C:Program FilesIntuitQuickBooks 2024QBW32.exe.
• Set scope to All Processes and hit Save.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Interpreting Antivirus Logs

Look for words such as “blocked,” “quarantined,” or “QuickBooks.exe.” This will help you identify flagged files deemed “false positives” via your AV dashboard.

Resolving False Positives

Transfer QB files to your antivirus product vendor (e.g., Norton’s False Positive Submission Portal). Trace QB crashes with Windows Event Viewer (Event ID 1000-1100).

Enterprise & Network Considerations

Server-Level Exclusions

Exclude QBDBMgrN.exe on the host machine in the server AVs (e.g., Symantec Endpoint Protection).

Group Policy Deployment

Use tools like Kaspersky Security Center to push exclusions to all workstations.

Beyond Standard Exclusions: Advanced QuickBooks Antivirus Considerations

Beyond the standard file exclusions, there are some nuanced settings that impact QuickBooks performance. These are crucial pieces of information for debugging complex antivirus interactions and fine-tuning your system.

• Ports Beyond the Firewall Setting

Port used by QuickBooks: 55378-55382 (for multi-user mode). Verify that these are permitted in the antivirus network settings and not only in the firewall settings.

• Folder vs. File Exclusions

Excluding directory paths (e.g., C:Program FilesIntuitQuickBooks) is safer than excluding individual files, as these tend to create new executables every time they are updated.

• Real-Time Scanning Pauses

Even temporarily disabling real-time scanning can help troubleshoot if the antivirus is the cause. Remember to re-enable it after testing.

• Hash-Based and Path-Based Exclusions

The two main methods are hash-based and path-based exclusions. Updates may cause hash-based blocking antiviruses to reinstall QB files. Path-based exclusions are more trustworthy.

• Windows Defender’s Controlled Folder Access

Controlled Folder Access within Windows Defender can block QB, even with exclusions. You need to disable it or put QB folders in the allowed list.

• SSL Inspection Interference

Antivirus programs (e.g., Avast or Norton) could inspect SSL traffic, preventing QB emails. Disable SSL scanning for QB processes.

• Background Services Exclusion

Exclude QB services (e.g., QBCFMonitorService.exe) in the antivirus’s “Trusted Processes” list to avoid background blocks.

• Silent/Gaming Modes

An antivirus such as Bitdefender features “Silent Mode” to reduce disruptions. Turn this ON to reduce QB disruptions.

• Enterprise Environments

Local exclusions can be overridden by Group Policy. Enterprise users need to work with IT admins to apply global exclusions.

• Dependency Exclusions

QB relies on .NET Framework and Java. If the antivirus blocks these directories, exclude them: (e.g., C:WindowsMicrosoft.NET).

Post-Exclusion Testing

Validate fixes by:

1. Testing Multi-User Mode: Host a company file and connect via a workstation.
2. Sending a Test Email: Go to File > Send Forms > Email a PDF invoice.
3. Running a Backup: Verify backup completion in C:ProgramDataIntuitQuickBooksBackup.

Summary

This blog explains why configuring QuickBooks Antivirus Exclusions is foremost important to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operation of the bookkeeping software. This must be done to prevent QB programs and files from getting blocked by antiviruses on your system. The blog contains methods to exclude QB files in nearly all of the antiviruses compatible with QuickBooks (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky, Webroot, etc.). We hope the blog helps you set up appropriate antivirus exclusions and allows you to run QuickBooks without getting interrupted by unnecessary security scans or restrictions. 

FAQs

Q: Which firewall ports does QuickBooks use for multi-user access?

A: QuickBooks Desktop requires 8019, 56726, and 55378 to set up a multi-user mode. You must configure the firewall ports on your system and add the above ports to ensure QuickBooks can share the company files with the workstations without any connection issues. You must also ensure these ports are allowed in antivirus network settings.

Q: What are the common antivirus programs that block QuickBooks?

A: Though compatible, QuickBooks can still face problems running with antiviruses on your PC. Some of the common antivirus programs that can develop problems for QuickBooks are: Kaspersky, Avast, Norton, McAfee, Sophos, Comodo, Webroot SecureAnywhere, ESET, etc. 

Q: What precautions should I take when creating QuickBooks antivirus exclusions?

A: Before creating QuickBooks antivirus exclusions, you must download the latest updates for QuickBooks, Windows OS, and the antivirus itself. Pay attention to the file format and extension while excluding a QB file to avoid blocking a crucial file related to QB or your OS (Windows) that could compromise your system. Also, creating a backup is always advised before you start creating antivirus exclusions.

Q: How do I resolve “Windows Firewall Connection Sharing Not Allowed” errors in QuickBooks?

A: The ‘Windows Firewall Connection Sharing Not Allowed’ usually comes up while using the Database Server Manager. This happens due to restrictions imposed by the Windows firewall.
You can simply configure firewall ports for QuickBooks Desktop to ensure QuickBooks has specific firewall ports to operate on your system.

Q: Why is QuickBooks unable to send emails due to antivirus restrictions?

A: You might encounter an ‘QuickBooks is unable to send the email since your antivirus has blocked outgoing emails’ error message if your QuickBooks doesn’t have sufficient permissions or some of its files are blocked by an antivirus. Firstly, you must edit the .ini file to change the system permissions. Open your QuickBooks Desktop and press F2 on the keyboard. Just after, press the F3 key and navigate to the Open File tab. Select the QBW.ini file from the list and click Open File. When the file opens in Notepad, scroll down to the bottom and add [QBWEBMAIL]CUSTOM_CERT_ENABLE=1 to the file. Go to the File menu and tap Save.
Once done with the QBW.ini file, open your antivirus settings to ensure none of the QB program files are quarantined or blocked.

Q: Why don’t exclusions work after a QuickBooks update?

A: Updates change file hashes. Use folder-based exclusions (i.e., C:Program FilesIntuit) rather than file-based exclusions.

Q: How do I exclude QB on a network drive?

A: Add the network path (e.g., \ServerQuickBooks) in exclusions on all workstations and server AVs.

Q: Can I automate exclusions for more than 50 PCs?

A: Yes! Deploy enterprise-wide exclusion policies via tools such as Kaspersky Security Center or McAfee ePO.