Troubleshooting VEXcode V5 Opening Slowly on Windows Computers

This article will help explain and troubleshoot issues with VEXcode taking a significant amount of time (greater than 30 seconds) to open on some Microsoft Windows computers.

When launching VEXcode, Microsoft Windows computers need to extract and decompress files in order to run VEXcode. For some users, an installed antivirus program may scan these files as they are being written, which will cause VEXcode to take significantly more time to open.

If you are experiencing that the VEXcode application is launching slowly, it is recommended that you keep the antivirus software from scanning files as they are being read/written. This article will walk you through how to exclude VEXcode from the scans.

How to exclude VEXcode folders in Windows Defender

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, including visual cues and problem-solving strategies.

Open computer settings and select ‘Update & Security.’

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, including key components and their interactions, to assist users in resolving common problems.

Select ‘Windows Security’ from the left panel.

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, featuring labeled components and flowchart elements to guide users in resolving common problems.

Select ‘Open Windows Security.’

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, featuring labeled components and flowchart elements to guide users in resolving common problems.

Select ‘Virus & threat protection.’

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, featuring labeled components and flowchart elements to guide users in resolving common problems.

Under ‘Virus & threat protection settings,’ select ‘Manage settings.’

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, featuring labeled components and flowchart elements to guide users in resolving common problems.

Under ‘Exclusions,’ select ‘Add or remove exclusions.’

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, featuring labeled components and potential solutions to common problems.

The following permission prompt will appear. Select ‘Yes.’

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, featuring labeled components and flowchart design to guide users in resolving common problems.

Once permission has been granted, select ‘Add an exclusion.’

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category, including key components and their functions, to assist users in resolving common issues.

Select ‘Process.’

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category issues, featuring labeled components and flowchart design to guide users in resolving common problems.

Type in the path for the version of VEXcode that you are using, then select ‘Add.’

VEXcode V5

  • C:\Program Files (x86)\VEX Robotics\VEXcode V5\VEXcode V5.exe

Note: Paths are based on installation location and may be different if a non-default location was used during installation.

Diagram illustrating troubleshooting steps for V5 category, highlighting key components and actions to resolve common issues.

If you are still experiencing issues with VEXcode, please use the ‘Feedback’ button. For more information, view the following articles:
Feedback for VEXcode V5


Folder Paths to Exclude for VEXcode (for other Antivirus programs)

To resolve VEXcode opening slowly, prevent the Microsoft Windows computer’s antivirus software from scanning the following folder paths:

VEXcode V5

  • %LocalAppData%\VEXcode V5
  • %ProgramFiles(X86)%\VEX Robotics\VEXcode V5
  • Any folders starting with “nw” in %LocalAppData%\Temp

For more information, help, and tips, check out the many resources at VEX Professional Development Plus

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