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Is My Anti-Virus Software Interfering with My Games?

Updated

Anti-Virus Software

Anti-Virus and malware software has become increasingly suspicious, and it is normal to see more false-positives than ever before. This is because some software uses heuristic or "smart" scanning techniques to identify code similar to that of a virus. The end-user will need to use their best judgement to assess whether an application is a false-positive or a genuine threat. This is the expected behaviour of any good Anti-Virus software.

Antivirus software can also automatically delete or quarantine files, such as the game's executable. If this happens, please add an exception for the game's executable in your antivirus software and verify your game files to recover any deleted or quarantined files. In some cases, you may need to disable your antivirus software altogether while a game is being installed.

Default executable locations:

  • Train Sim World 6: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Train Sim World 6\WindowsNoEditor\TrainSimWorld.exe
  • Train Sim World 5: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Train Sim World 5\WindowsNoEditor\TrainSimWorld.exe
  • Train Sim World 4: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Train Sim World 4\WindowsNoEditor\TrainSimWorld.exe
  • Train Sim World 3: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Train Sim World 3\WindowsNoEditor\TS2Prototype.exe
  • Train Sim World 2: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Train Sim World 2\WindowsNoEditor\TS2Prototype.exe
  • Train Sim World 2020: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Train Sim World\WindowsNoEditor\TS2Prototype.exe
  • Train Simulator Classic: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Railworks\RailWorks64.exe
  • Bassmaster Fishing 2022: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Basmaster Fishing 2022\FishingGame\Binaries\Win64\BassmasterFishing-Win64-Shipping.exe
  • The Catch: Carp & Coarse: \\Steam\steamapps\common\The Catch\FishingGame\Binaries\Win64\FishingGame-Win64-Shipping.exe
  • Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Fishing Sim World\FishingGame\Binaries\Win64\FishingGame-Win64-Shipping.exe
  • Euro Fishing: \\Steam\steamapps\common\Fishing\FishingGame\Binaries\Win64\FishingGame-Win64-Shipping.exe

If you are unsure of how to add an exception to your Anti-Virus software, please check the developer's support site. 

Some services now come with a built-in Game Mode, which can help reduce the performance impact of background services. If your software has this functionality, it would be recommended to enable it before downloading and playing games.

If you are having problems using third-party antivirus software, we would recommend uninstalling the software and reverting to the Windows Defender that comes built into Windows 10 and 11.

How to configure Windows Defender

Windows Defender - Allow an app through the firewall

  1. Right-click on the Start menu and go to Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security Windows Security, then Firewall & network protection.
  3. Click on Allow an app through the firewall.
  4. Find the Game in the list.
  5. Click on Change settings.
  6. Place a tick in both the Public and Private columns (Depending on the network type you are using)
  7. Press OK.
Windows Defender will display a pop-up alert when a new application attempts to access the internet. You may need to minimize the game to access the pop-up. The pop-up will give you the option of either allowing or blocking the new application.

Windows Defender - Virus Protection - Add an Exclusion

  1. Go to Start Settings Update & Security Windows Security Virus & threat protection.
  2. Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings, and then under Exclusions, select Add or remove exclusions.
  3. Select Add an exclusion, and then select from files, folders, file types, or process. A folder exclusion will apply to all subfolders within the folder as well.

Other Applications Which May Interfere With Your Game

Applications running in the background have the potential to negatively affect the performance and stability of your games or cause other connectivity issues. These can include...

  • Anti-Virus Software
  • Virtual Private Network (VPN) Software
  • Anti-Spyware Software
  • Firewalls & Security Applications
  • Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Clients & File Sharing Software
  • FTP and Web Server Applications
  • IP Filtering/Blocking Programs
  • Download Accelerator and Download Manager Programs

You may have to adjust the behaviour of some applications to stop them interfering with your game. Other times, you may have to disable or remove an application completely. A good way to determine which applications are causing problems is to run a "clean" boot of Windows, as described in the following article: How to Perform a Clean Boot of Windows

The effect these applications can have on your game is described in detail on the following Steam Support article, but can apply to any game regardless of which digital distribution platform you use: Programs Which May Interfere with Steam

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