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Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows: how to edit the file extensions list

Viruses can attack different types of executable files, so in order to detect certain viruses, you may need to change the list of executables scanned by Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows 2000+, Windows NT and Windows 95/98/Me. You do this by editing the list of file extensions.

Macintosh computers scan all files by default. You cannot scan extensions separately.

What to do

Note: The file extension list you define overrides the default. To return to the default click 'Default'. You should either revert to the default list when you next update, or maintain your own list.

Adding extensions centrally

  1. At the Enterprise Console, select the group for which you want to change the settings.
  2. Click 'SAV policy' on the toolbar. The 'Anti-virus policy .....' dialog box is displayed.
  3. In the bottom panel, click 'Extensions and Exclusions', then select 'Allow me to control exactly what is scanned'.
  4. Click 'Add', and in the 'Extension' field, type just the file extension, e.g. PDF.
    Repeat this step for each additional filetype you want to add.
  5. Click 'OK' to finish.

Adding extensions locally on Windows 2000/XP/2003

  1. Open the 'Sophos Anti-Virus' window.
  2. 'Click Configure'|'On-demand extensions and exclusions'.
  3. Click 'Extensions', select 'Allow me to control exactly what is scanned'.
  4. Click 'Add', and type the file extension, e.g. PDF in the box. Click 'OK'. Repeat this step for each additional file type you want to add.
  5. Click 'OK' to finish.

Adding extensions locally on Windows NT and Windows 95/98/Me

  1. Go to Start|Programs|Sophos|Sophos Anti-Virus and run the 'Sophos Anti-Virus' program.
  2. Go to Options|Executables... and click 'Add'.
  3. Type the new extension in the box. Click 'OK'.
  4. Add any other new extensions in the same way.
  5. Click 'OK' to finish.

If you need more information or guidance, then please contact technical support.