Microsoft Defender AV must be configured to enable the Automatic Exclusions feature.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium | V-213431 | SRG-APP-000278 | WNDF-AV-000007 | SV-213431r1207394_rule | 2026-05-08 | 2 |
Description
This setting allows an administrator to specify if Automatic Exclusions feature for Server SKUs should be turned off.
ℹ️ Check
Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Exclusions >> "Turn off Auto Exclusions" is set to "Disabled".
Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key:
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions
Criteria: If the value "DisableAutoExclusions" is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding.
NOTE: The configuration of WNDF-AV-000100 will likely hide this setting from being reviewed. If compliance can be shown via group policy editor or other means, this is not a finding.
✔️ Fix
Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Exclusions >> "Turn off Auto Exclusions" to "Disabled".