Create a list of files for use in policies

Create lists of file paths to use 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 file list that is similar to an existing one, duplicate the list and then edit it.

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

Inclusion Format Description Example
File FILE Includes all files with the specified file name regardless of its location or directory. abc.doc
Includes all files named "abc.doc" in all directories. Does not include abc.exe.
File path FILEPATH Includes the single file specified by the file path. C:\Documents\abc.doc
Includes only the file named abc.doc in the Documents directory.
File path with wildcard (*) FILEPATH Excludes all the files specified by the file path. C:\Documents\abc.co* (For Windows Agent platforms only) Excludes any file that has file name of abc and extension beginning with .co in the Documents directory.
Filename is a wildcard (*) FILEPATH\* Excludes all files under the path, but does not include the files in unspecified subdirectories. C:\Documents\*
Excludes all files under the directory C:\Documents\

C:\Documents\SubDirName*\*
Excludes all files within subdirectories with a folder name that begins with SubDirName. Does not exclude all files under C:\Documents\ or any other subdirectories.

C:\Documents\*\*
Excludes all files within all direct subdirectories under C:\Documents. Does not exclude files in subsequent subdirectories.
File with wildcard (*) FILE* Includes all files with a matching pattern in the file name. abc*.exe
Includes any file that has prefix of abc and extension of .exe.

*.db
Matches:
123.db
abc.db
Does not match:
123db
123.abd
cbc.dba

*db
Matches:
123.db
123db
ac.db
acdb
db
Does not match:
db123

wxy*.db
Matches:
wxy.db
wxy123.db
Does not match:
wxydb
File with wildcard (*) FILE.EXT* Includes all files with a matching pattern in the file extension. abc.v*
Includes any file that has file name of "abc" and extension beginning with .v.

abc.*pp
Matches:
abc.pp
abc.app
Does not match:
wxy.app

abc.a*p
Matches:
abc.ap
abc.a123p
Does not match:
abc.pp

abc.*
Matches:
abc.123
abc.xyz
Does not match:
wxy.123
File with wildcard (*) FILE*.EXT* Includes all files with a matching pattern in the file name and in the extension. a*c.a*p
Matches:
ac.ap
a123c.ap
ac.a456p
a123c.a456p
Does not match:
ad.aa
Environment variable ${ENV VAR} Includes files specified by an environment variable with the format ${ENV VAR}. Windows common environment variables, such as windir, programfiles, and so on, are supported.

For a Virtual Appliance and Linux, the value pairs for the environment variable must be defined in Policy or Computer Editor > Settings > General > Environment Variable Overrides.		 ${myDBFile}
Includes the file myDBFile.
Comments FILEPATH #Comment Allows you to add comments to your inclusion definitions. C:\Documents\abc.doc #This a comment
  1. Click Policies > Common Objects > Lists > File Lists.
  2. Click New > New File List.
  3. Type a name and, optionally, a description.
  4. In the File(s) list, add the file paths, one per line.
  5. Click OK.

Import and export file lists

You can export one or more file lists to an XML or CSV file, and import lists from an XML file.

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

See which policies use a file list

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

  1. Click Policies > Common Objects > Lists > File Lists.
  2. Select the file list and click Properties.
  3. Click the Assigned To tab.