Table of contents
Topics on this page
Import and export directory lists
View policies that use a directory list

Create a list of directories for use in policies

Create lists of directory paths so that you can use them in multiple policies. A single list is easier to manage than several identical lists that are each created in a different policy. The most common use-cases for these lists are for Anti-Malware scan inclusions or exclusions. For more information, see Specify the files to scan.

To create a directory list that is similar to an existing one, duplicate the list and then edit it.

The following table describes the syntax for defining directory list items. The use of forward slashes and backslashes is supported for both Windows and Linux conventions.

Directory Format Description Examples
Directory DIRECTORY Includes all files in the specified directory and all files in all subdirectories. C:\Program Files\
Includes all files in the "Program Files" directory and all subdirectories.
Network Resource \\NETWORK RESOURCE Includes files on a computer included as a network resource on a targeted computer. \\12.34.56.78\
\\some-comp-name\
Includes all files on a network resource (and its subfolders) identified using an IP or a hostname.
\\12.34.56.78\somefolder\
\\some-comp-name\somefolder\
Includes all files in the folder "somefolder" and its subfolders on a network resource identified using an IP or a hostname.
Directory with wildcard (*) DIRECTORY\*\ Includes any subdirectories with any subdirectory name, but does not include the files in the specified directory. C:\abc\*\
Includes all files in all subdirectories of "abc" but does not include the files in the "abc" directory.

C:\abc\wx*z\
Matches:
C:\abc\wxz\
C:\abc\wx123z\
Does not match:
C:\abc\wxz
C:\abc\wx123z

C:\abc\*wx\
Matches:
C:\abc\wx\
C:\abc\123wx\
Does not match:
C:\abc\wx
C:\abc\123wx
Directory with wildcard (*) DIRECTORY\* Includes any subdirectories with a matching name, but does not include the files in that directory and any subdirectories. C:\abc\*
Matches:
C:\abc\
C:\abc\1
C:\abc\123
Does not match: C:\abc
C:\abc\123\
C:\abc\123\456
C:\abx\
C:\xyz\

C:\abc\*wx
Matches:
C:\abc\wx
C:\abc\123wx
Does not match:
C:\abc\wx\
C:\abc\123wx\

C:\abc\wx*z
Matches:
C:\abc\wxz
C:\abc\wx123z
Does not match:
C:\abc\wxz\
C:\abc\wx123z\

C:\abc\wx*
Matches:
C:\abc\wx
C:\abc\wx\
C:\abc\wx12
C:\abc\wx12\345\
C:\abc\wxz\
Does not match:
C:\abc\wx123z\
Environment variable ${ENV VAR} Includes all files and subdirectories defined by an environment variable with the format ${ENV VAR}. ${windir}
If the variable resolves to "c:\windows", Includes all the files in "c:\windows" and all its subdirectories.< /td>
Comments DIRECTORY #Comment Allows you to add comments to your inclusion definitions. c:\abc #Include the abc directory

  1. Click Policies > Common Objects > Lists > Directory Lists.

  2. Click New > New Directory List.

  3. Type a name and, optionally, a description.

  4. In the Directory(s) list, add the directory paths, one per line.

  5. Click OK.

Import and export directory lists

You can export one or more directory lists to an XML or CSV file, and import lists from an XML file, as follows:

  1. Click Policies > Common Objects > Lists > Directory Lists.

  2. To export one or more lists, select them and click Export > Export Selected to CSV or Export > Export Selected to XML.

  3. To export all lists, click Export > Export to CSV or Export > Export to XML.

  4. To import lists, click New > Import From File and follow the instructions on the wizard.

View policies that use a directory list

It is useful to see which policies use a directory list to be aware of which policies are affected by any changes you make. For example, you can ensure no policies use a directory list before deleting it.

  1. Click Policies > Common Objects > Lists > Directory Lists.

  2. Select the directory list and click Properties.

  3. Click the Assigned To tab.