What are exclusions.sdf Error Messages?

General exclusions.sdf Runtime Errors

exclusions.sdf file errors often occur during the startup phase of Avira Free Antivirus, but can also occur while the program is running. These types SDF errors are also known as “runtime errors” because they occur while Avira Free Antivirus is running. Here are some of the most common exclusions.sdf runtime errors:

• exclusions.sdf could not be found.
• exclusions.sdf error.
• exclusions.sdf failed to load.
• Error loading exclusions.sdf.
• Failed to register exclusions.sdf / Cannot register exclusions.sdf.
• Runtime Error - exclusions.sdf.
• The file exclusions.sdf is missing or corrupt.

Most SDF errors are due to missing or corrupt files. Your exclusions.sdf file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with Avira Free Antivirus), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, exclusions.sdf file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading Avira Free Antivirus, system crash while loading or saving exclusions.sdf, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or malware infection. Thus, it’s critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

How to Fix exclusions.sdf Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your exclusions.sdf issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the exclusions.sdf error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

You can uninstall Avira Free Antivirus software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
4. Find the entry for Avira Free Antivirus 15.0.1909.1591 and click "Uninstall"
5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall Avira Free Antivirus software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

Avira Free Antivirus 15.0.1909.1591

Avira Operations GmbH & Co. KG.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many exclusions.sdf error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

1. Hit the Windows Start button
2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the exclusions.sdf error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.

If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your exclusions.sdf File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate exclusions.sdf file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free exclusions.sdf files for every applicable version of Avira Free Antivirus. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download exclusions.sdf Files".
2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
3. Copy this file to the appropriate Avira Free Antivirus folder location:
   
   Windows 10: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\System Speedup\sdf\
   Windows 10: C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\Privacy Pal\sdf\
   
4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.

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