Most popular antivirus programs allow you to configure "exclusions" to prevent the software from continually scanning certain files for viruses.  Unfortunately, the latest version of McAfee VirusScan for home and small business does not allow you to configure exclusions for their ActiveShield program, so it indefinitely monitors your computer and scans files as you open and work with them. Some of McAfee's other products, such as their corporate antivirus product, do give you this ability, but they are also directed towards a large office of around 50 or more computers.  For instructions on how to configure exclusions in McAfee's corporate antivirus software or other antivirus programs, please consult the manufacturer's documentation.  While we do include specific instructions about how to configure exclusions for WinTOTAL in Norton Internet Security/Antivirus 2005/2006 in this document, the general process is as follows.

1. Open the Advanced options for your antivirus program's scan settings.
2. Setup the exclusions to ignore C:\Program Files\a la mode.
3. Add C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server to the exclusion list as well.
4. If you're using a standalone installation of WinTOTAL, add C:\a la mode to your exclusion list as well.
5. For specific instructions on this process for your antivirus software, consult your antivirus manufacturer's documentation.

Configuring Exclusions in Norton 2005/2006

1. Right-click the Norton icon in your system tray and choose Options, AntiVirus.
   
   

2. When the AntiVirus screen appears, click the arrow beside the Auto-Protect entry in the column on the right.  Then click Exclusions.
   
   
3. Now, click New to add a directory to exclude.
4. When another window appears prompting you for a path to the folder to exclude, click the folder icon to the right.
5. Browse to C:\Program Files and choose the a la mode folder.
6. Ensure that the Include subfolders box is checked and click OK.
   
   
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server as well.
8. If you're using a standalone installation of WinTOTAL, repeat steps 3-6 for
   C:\a la mode as well.
9. Finally, click OK in the Auto-Protect exclusion list to save your exclusion.
   

Your computer is now configured to permit key WinTOTAL files and your reports files through Norton Auto-Protect and you may experience a significant speed increase when running WinTOTAL.  To ensure that these settings appropriately take effect, you may want to reboot your computer before attempting to open WinTOTAL again.

Configuring Exclusions in AVG

1. Right-click the AVG icon in your system try and choose Launch Control Center.
   
   
2. When the Control Center appears, double-click the AVG Resident Shield section in the upper right corner.
3. Another window appears allowing you to configure your Resident Shield settings. Click the Excludes tab followed by the Edit Excludes button.
4. Now, click Add path.
5. Browse to C:\Program Files\a la mode and click OK.  
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server as well.
7. If you're using a standalone installation of WinTOTAL (not shared on a network), add C:\a la mode to your exclusion list also.
   
   
8. Finally, check Use excludes in Resident Shield and click OK.
9. Now, click Apply and OK to accept your changes.

Your computer is now configured to permit key WinTOTAL files and your reports files through AVG Resident Shield and you may experience a significant speed increase when running WinTOTAL.  To ensure that these settings appropriately take effect, you may want to reboot your computer before attempting to open WinTOTAL again.