8.9. Windows Defender blocking FFmpeg DLLs at startup

Error 0xc0e90002 on startup — avcodec.dll is not designed to run on Windows

If you see the following error when starting your computer:

"C:\Program Files\AnyCam\avcodec.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media, or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support. Error status 0xc0e90002."

This error is caused by Windows Defender's Controlled Folder Access blocking AnyCam's FFmpeg DLLs at startup. The DLLs (avcodec.dll, avutil.dll, avformat.dll, and others) are legitimate components of AnyCam and are not malicious. Windows Defender may flag them as a false positive, especially after a Windows Defender definition update.

To resolve this issue permanently, follow all three steps below.

Step 1: Add individual FFmpeg files to Windows Defender exclusions

This is the key step that most users miss — Windows Defender treats each DLL as a separate binary that can be flagged independently. Adding only the .exe file is not enough.

1. Open Windows Security and go to Virus & threat protection.

2. Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.

3. Scroll down to the Exclusions section and click Add or remove exclusions.

4. Click Add an exclusion and choose File.

5. Add each of the following files from C:\Program Files\AnyCam\:

   • ffmpeg-anycam.exe

   • avcodec.dll

   • avutil.dll

   • avformat.dll

   • swscale.dll

   • swresample.dll

Step 2: Allow through Controlled Folder Access

1. In Windows Security, go to Virus & threat protection.

2. Scroll down to Ransomware protection and click Manage ransomware protection.

3. Click Allow an app through Controlled folder access.

4. Click Add an allowed app and select Recently blocked apps.

5. Find and allow both ffmpeg-anycam.exe and AnyCam.exe.

Step 3: Add a folder exclusion for the entire AnyCam directory

As an additional safeguard, exclude the entire AnyCam installation folder:

1. In Virus & threat protection settings, go to Exclusions.

2. Click Add an exclusion and choose Folder.

3. Select C:\Program Files\AnyCam\.

After completing all three steps, restart your computer to verify that the error no longer appears.