best practices for running AV on SQL servers

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Running Antivirus software is critical part of server security but it is also important to understand the impact and effect it has on SQL Server. here is some really good guidance on how to configure AV and exclusions.

1. SQL Server Data Files (files with extensions like .MDF, .NDF)
2. SQL Server Log Files (files with extensions like .LDF)
3. SQL Server Backup files (files with extensions like .BAK and .TRN)
4. Full-Text Catalog Files
5. SQL Server Audit Files
6. SQL Server Query Files (Extensions like .SQL)
7. Trace/Profiler Files (Extensions like .TRC)
8. Entire Directory that is holding Analysis Services files that is used for processing Cubes and used for queries that are reading files in to the data folder and the temp folder.
9. Folder where Analysis Services Backups Files Reside
10. Exclude SQLServer.Exe file (This is the main database engine file)
11. ReportingServicesService.Exe
12. MSMDSrv.exe
13. Cluster Directory (Usually it is C:\Windows\Cluster) *If your servers are clustered
14. Cluster Quorum Drive
15. FILETABLE and Filestream folders

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