{"id":40282,"date":"2026-05-03T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/?p=40282"},"modified":"2026-05-03T06:00:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T10:00:58","slug":"allow-invincible-vs-windows-defender-firewall-antivirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/allow-invincible-vs-windows-defender-firewall-antivirus\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Allow Invincible VS Through Windows Defender, Firewall & Antivirus (Crash Fix)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You have tried everything. You restarted your PC. You verified the game files. You added\u00a0-DX11<\/code>\u00a0to the launch options. You even renamed the Config folder. But\u00a0Invincible VS<\/em>\u00a0still crashes on launch, freezes during loading, or displays a fatal error the moment you try to play. What you may not realize is that your own security software could be the culprit. Windows Defender, third-party antivirus programs like Avast or Norton, and even Windows Firewall frequently block games from writing to configuration folders, accessing temporary memory, or communicating with Steam servers. The game tries to perform a normal operation\u2014saving your settings, loading a level, verifying your license\u2014and the antivirus says “no.” The result is an immediate crash with no clear explanation. This guide walks you through exactly how to add\u00a0Invincible VS<\/em>\u00a0as an allowed application in every major security program, step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Antivirus and Firewall Cause Game Crashes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Modern security software uses several layers of protection. Each layer can interfere with Invincible VS<\/em> in different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How each security feature affects the game:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Security Feature<\/th>What It Does<\/th>How It Causes Crashes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Real-time antivirus scanning<\/strong><\/td>Scans every file the game tries to read or write<\/td>Slows down file access, can corrupt saves, may block game executables<\/td><\/tr>
Controlled Folder Access<\/strong><\/td>Prevents unauthorized apps from modifying protected folders<\/td>Blocks the game from writing to AppData\\Local\\Tag Fighter\\<\/code>, causing fatal errors<\/td><\/tr>
Windows Firewall<\/strong><\/td>Blocks unauthorized network traffic<\/td>Prevents online play, causes freezes when the game tries to connect to servers<\/td><\/tr>
Ransomware protection<\/strong><\/td>Suspiciously blocks apps that try to modify many files quickly<\/td>The game saving normally looks like ransomware behavior<\/td><\/tr>
Third-party antivirus<\/strong> (Avast, Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender)<\/td>All of the above + proprietary detection<\/td>Each has unique false-positive triggers for game files<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Signs your security software is causing the crash:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Symptom<\/th>Likely Culprit<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Game crashes<\/a> immediately on launch<\/td>Antivirus blocked the .exe<\/code> file<\/td><\/tr>
Game crashes when you try to save settings<\/td>Controlled Folder Access blocked AppData<\/code> writes<\/td><\/tr>
Game freezes on loading screen<\/td>Firewall blocked online connectivity<\/td><\/tr>
Game works fine offline but crashes online<\/td>Firewall issue<\/td><\/tr>
Game worked yesterday but crashes today after an antivirus update<\/td>False positive from a new virus definition<\/td><\/tr>
Fatal error mentioning “access denied” or “permission”<\/td>Permission block from security software<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If any of these sound familiar, the solutions in this guide will resolve your crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method 1: Configure Windows Security (Windows Defender)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Windows Security comes built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is an excellent antivirus, but it is also aggressive about blocking game files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Add game .exe files to Windows Security exclusions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exclusions tell Windows Security to ignore specific files or folders. This is the most important step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instructions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Type\u00a0Windows Security<\/strong>\u00a0into the Windows search bar and open it<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Click\u00a0Virus & threat protection<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Scroll down and click\u00a0Manage settings<\/strong>\u00a0(under “Virus & threat protection settings”)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Scroll down to\u00a0Exclusions<\/strong>\u00a0and click\u00a0Add or remove exclusions<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Click\u00a0Yes<\/strong>\u00a0if prompted by User Account Control<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Click\u00a0Add an exclusion<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192\u00a0Folder<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Navigate to your\u00a0Invincible VS<\/em>\u00a0installation folder. The default location is: C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common\\Invincible VS\\<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Select the\u00a0entire game folder<\/strong>\u00a0and click\u00a0Select Folder<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. The entire game folder is now excluded from scanning<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    What this does:<\/strong>\u00a0Windows Security will no longer scan any file inside the\u00a0Invincible VS<\/em>\u00a0folder. This prevents real-time scanning from interfering with the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 2: Add individual .exe files as exclusions (additional safety)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Some versions of Windows Security require both folder exclusions and individual file exclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Still in\u00a0Add or remove exclusions<\/strong>, click\u00a0Add an exclusion<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192\u00a0File<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Navigate to the main game\u00a0.exe<\/code>\u00a0file: C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common\\Invincible VS\\InvincibleVS.exe<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Select the file and click\u00a0Open<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Repeat for the secondary\u00a0.exe<\/code>\u00a0file:C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common\\Invincible VS\\Binaries\\Win64\\InvincibleVS-Win64-Shipping.exe<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Both\u00a0.exe<\/code>\u00a0files are now excluded<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Step 3: Disable Controlled Folder Access (or add game as allowed app)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Controlled Folder Access is a ransomware protection feature that blocks unauthorized applications from modifying files in protected folders. It is the #1 cause of fatal errors in games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Option A: Disable Controlled Folder Access entirely (easiest)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. In Windows Security, go to\u00a0Virus & threat protection<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Scroll down and click\u00a0Manage ransomware protection<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Toggle\u00a0Controlled folder access<\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a0OFF<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Restart your PC<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Launch\u00a0Invincible VS<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Option B: Keep Controlled Folder Access ON but add the game as allowed (more secure)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. In Windows Security, go to\u00a0Virus & threat protection<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Scroll down and click\u00a0Manage ransomware protection<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Click\u00a0Allow an app through Controlled folder access<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Click\u00a0Yes<\/strong>\u00a0if prompted<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Click\u00a0Add an allowed app<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192\u00a0Browse all apps<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Navigate to the main game\u00a0.exe<\/code>\u00a0file and click\u00a0Open<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        7. Repeat for the secondary\u00a0.exe<\/code>\u00a0file in\u00a0Binaries\\Win64\\<\/code><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        8. Restart your PC<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        9. Launch\u00a0Invincible VS<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Method 2: Configure Windows Firewall for Online Play<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          If your game crashes when trying to play online, or freezes on the loading screen when connecting to servers, Windows Firewall is likely blocking the connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Step 1: Open Windows Firewall settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Type\u00a0Control Panel<\/strong>\u00a0into the Windows search bar and open it<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Click\u00a0System and Security<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Click\u00a0Windows Defender Firewall<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. On the left sidebar, click\u00a0Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Step 2: Change settings (administrator access required)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Click the\u00a0Change settings<\/strong>\u00a0button (you will see a shield icon)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Click\u00a0Yes<\/strong>\u00a0if prompted by User Account Control<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. The grayed-out options will now become editable<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Step 3: Add Invincible VS to the allowed apps list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              1. Click the\u00a0Allow another app<\/strong>\u00a0button at the bottom<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Click\u00a0Browse<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. Navigate to the main game\u00a0.exe<\/code>\u00a0file: C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common\\Invincible VS\\InvincibleVS.exe<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              4. Click\u00a0Open<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              5. Click\u00a0Add<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Step 4: Add the secondary .exe file<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                1. Click\u00a0Allow another app<\/strong>\u00a0again<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Click\u00a0Browse<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                3. Navigate to the secondary\u00a0.exe<\/code>\u00a0file: C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps\\common\\Invincible VS\\Binaries\\Win64\\InvincibleVS-Win64-Shipping.exe<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                4. Click\u00a0Open<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                5. Click\u00a0Add<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Step 5: Verify both Private and Public boxes are checked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  In the allowed apps list, find both Invincible VS<\/em> entries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Network Type<\/th>When It Applies<\/th>Should It Be Checked?<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
                  Private<\/strong><\/td>Your home or work network (trusted)<\/td>YES<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
                  Public<\/strong><\/td>Coffee shops, airports, public Wi-Fi<\/td>YES<\/strong> (for safety, but game should work with Private only)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  1. Locate each\u00a0Invincible VS<\/em>\u00a0entry in the list<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. Ensure both\u00a0Private<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Public<\/strong>\u00a0boxes have checkmarks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  3. If a box is empty, click it to add a checkmark<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    Step 6: Save and test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    1. Click\u00a0OK<\/strong>\u00a0to close the window<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    2. Close Control Panel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    3. Launch\u00a0Invincible VS<\/em>\u00a0and test online features<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                      What to expect:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      If online play now works<\/th>If the game still crashes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
                      Success! Firewall was the issue.<\/td>Proceed to Method 3 (third-party antivirus)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                      Method 3: Configure Third-Party Antivirus Software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      If you use a third-party antivirus instead of (or alongside) Windows Defender, the steps vary by program. Below are instructions for the most common antivirus suites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      General principle for all third-party antivirus:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      Look for a section called one of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n