Error: "Operation did not complete successfully because the file contains a virus or potentially unwanted software"

Started by Oliver

Just installed the installer version of Network Scanner on Windows 11 Pro and got this error message:
Quote

Unable to execute file:
C:\Program Files\SoftPerfect Network Scanner\netscan.exe

CreateProcess failed; code 225.
Operation did not complete successfully because the file contains a virus or potentially unwanted software.


Please explain
The error that you are seeing is caused by your antivirus software wrongly classifying Network Scanner (netscan.exe) as unsafe. This is a false positive: the application is actually safe and does not contain any malware.

If you would like reassurance, we suggest uploading netscan.exe to VirusTotal, where you can check the file against dozens of antivirus engines. You will see that most report it as clean, confirming it is safe to use.

If you wish to proceed, the steps are:
  1. In Windows Security - Virus & threat protection - Protection history, locate the blocked item for netscan.exe and choose Allow on device or Restore.
  2. Add the folder C:\Program Files\SoftPerfect Network Scanner\ to the exclusions list in Virus & threat protection settings. This prevents the issue from recurring.
  3. If the file was removed, please redownload and reinstall the application after allowing it.

We also recommend submitting the detection to your antivirus vendor so they can correct their database.

Further details can be found in our knowledge base article about false positive detections.
I did manage to install with the Defender exception rule.

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