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Exclude the following files and directories from virus scanning on Dedicated SQL Servers

SQL Server Database Engine

Exclude the following files and directories from virus scanning

1. SQL Server data files ( i.e *.mdf, *.ldf, *.ndf)
2. SQL Server backup files (*.bak,*.trn, *.dif)
3. Full-Text catalog files
4. Page files on the windows system

SQL Server Analysis Services

then also exclude the following files and directories from virus scanning

1. Analysis Services data Directory (By default "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.X\OLAP\Data")
2. Analysis Services temporary files Directory  (Default Location is "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.X\OLAP\Data")
3. Analysis Services backup files (default location is "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.X\OLAP\Backup", normally files have extension *.abf)
4. Analysis Services log files (default location is "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.X\OLAP\Log")
5. Analysis Services partitions that are not stored in the default data directory, if you set some manually

SQL Server Clustered Environments

1. Antivirus software should be cluster-aware version
2. Exclude these locations from virus scanning:
1. Q:\ (Quorum drive)
2. c:\Windows\Cluster
3. Follow guidelines for SQL Database Engine and Analysis services as mentioned above

For More Information on Antivirus Configuration on Windows Environment, Check these

• Microsoft Guidelines to Configure Antivirus on SQL Servers
• Microsoft Guidelines to Configure Antivirus on SQL Servers Clusters
• https://community.mcafee.com/message/20623#20623
• Microsoft Recommendation for Windows Systems