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File exclusions and inclusions

Open Settings → Files for global file rules. A scheduled task has a Files page for its own selection. Review both configurations when troubleshooting a particular run.

Exclude files and folders​

  1. Choose the exclusion list and click Select files.
  2. Select the desired file or directory in the Explorer view.
  3. Choose Add and repeat for further entries.
  4. Confirm the selection with Apply and save the settings or task.

For example, excluding a frequently changing virtual-machine folder can avoid repeatedly moving large containers. Review the application's maintenance needs before selecting its files.

Explicitly include files​

Use Select files in the inclusion list, add the desired entries, and apply the change. Explicitly included files take precedence over a matching file exclusion. This allows you to exclude a folder while including one particular file inside it.

Inclusion expresses which files should participate; it does not bypass locks, file-system errors, or other limits that prevent moving a file.

Exclude by size​

Set the size threshold to leave very large files outside defragmentation and movement. This can shorten a run, but those files can remain fragmented. This is different from the speed-zone setting that moves large files to Zone 3.

After saving, analyze and review the next task's report. Check both lists and the size filter if a file is unexpectedly processed or skipped. For a one-time file action, see Manual defragmentation.