Troubleshooting Offline VEXcode VR Opening Slowly on Windows Computers – VEX Library

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

Windows Security settings showing Virus & threat protection options to check if real-time protection is slowing VEXcode VR startup

Open computer settings and select ‘Update & Security.’

Windows Security Virus & threat protection settings showing Real-time protection turned off

Select ‘Windows Security’ from the left panel.

Windows Security options for allowing VEXcode VR through Controlled folder access

Select ‘Open Windows Security.’

Windows Security settings showing Controlled folder access options for allowing an app through ransomware protection

Select ‘Virus & threat protection.’

Windows Security Virus & threat protection settings for adding a VEXcode VR exclusion

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

Windows Security Virus & threat protection settings for adding a VEXcode VR exclusion

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

Windows Security window showing Virus & threat protection settings for managing ransomware protection

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

Windows Security Virus & threat protection settings showing exclusions options for improving VEXcode VR startup performance

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

Windows Security settings showing App & browser control options for troubleshooting slow startup in Offline VEXcode VR

Select ‘Process.’

Windows Security settings showing Virus & threat protection options for adding an exclusion

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

Offline VEXcode VR

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

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

Windows Security settings showing Controlled folder access turned off

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

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:

Offline VEXcode VR

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