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How to fix longer startup times in your FiveM Server

February 19, 202615 views

It's a common frustration for server owners, Windows Defender is great for security, but it can be incredibly overzealous when it comes to FiveM. Because FiveM servers constantly read and write thousands of small cache files and scripts, Defender's "Real-time protection" scans every single move, leading to massive CPU spikes and agonizingly slow startup times.

Adding an exclusion tells Windows to "trust" that specific folder, allowing your server to breathe. Here is the step-by-step guide you can provide to your clients:

How to Exclude Your FiveM Server from Windows Defender

To prevent Windows Defender from slowing down your server's startup and performance, follow these steps to add your server folder to the exclusions list.

Step 1: Open Windows Security

  1. Click the Start menu and type "Windows Security", then press Enter.

  2. In the dashboard, click on Virus & threat protection.

Step 2: Access Settings

  1. Under the "Virus & threat protection settings" heading, click on Manage settings.

  2. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page until you find the Exclusions section.

  3. Click on Add or remove exclusions.

Step 3: Add the Folder Exclusion

  1. Click the + Add an exclusion button.

  2. Select Folder from the dropdown menu.

  3. Browse to the location where your FiveM Server is installed (the folder containing your cache and resources).

  4. Select the folder and click Select Folder.

  5. If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click Yes.

Step 4: Verify and Restart

You should now see the file path for your FiveM server listed on the Exclusions page.

Tip: We also recommend excluding your FXServer artifacts folder specifically if it is located in a different directory than your resources.

Why should I do this?

  • Faster Boot Times: Reduces the time it takes for the server to "heartbeat" and load resources.

  • Lower CPU Usage: Prevents Antimalware Service Executable from hogging resources while your server is running.

  • Prevents Script Errors: Occasionally, Defender may falsely flag and "quarantine" certain obfuscated scripts or DLLs, causing your server to crash or malfunction.

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