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37 changes: 37 additions & 0 deletions frontend/blog/2025-02-12-launcher-false-positive.md
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---
slug: launcher-false-positive
title: Windows Defender False Positive on Launcher
authors: itsneufox
---

Some users have reported that **Windows Defender is flagging the open.mp Launcher as a Trojan/virus**. This is a **false positive**, the launcher is completely safe to use.

The launcher is **fully open source** and you can review or build it yourself:
[https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher](https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher)

We're **already working on fixing this** so future builds won't be flagged.

<!-- truncate -->

## What to do for now

Until Microsoft updates their detection signatures, add the launcher folder as an exclusion in Windows Defender:

1. Open **Windows Security** (search for it in Start)
2. Go to **Virus & threat protection**
3. Under **Virus & threat protection settings**, click **Manage settings**
4. Scroll down to **Exclusions** and click **Add or remove exclusions**
5. Click **Add an exclusion** → **Folder**
6. Select your **open.mp launcher installation folder** and confirm
7. Close and re-open the launcher

### Notes

- Exclude the **entire launcher folder**, not individual files because file hashes change between updates.
- If Defender still warns you after adding the exclusion, fully close the launcher, double-check the exclusion path, and try again.

## Why does this happen?

False positives are common with game-related software. Antivirus heuristics can flag legitimate programs that interact with game processes. We're working with Microsoft to get the launcher properly whitelisted.

Still have questions? Reach out on our [Discord](https://discord.gg/samp).
3 changes: 3 additions & 0 deletions frontend/blog/authors.yml
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y_less:
name: Y_Less

itsneufox:
name: itsneufox
90 changes: 90 additions & 0 deletions frontend/content/releases/README.md
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This folder works like blog content, one markdown file per release.
Sorting is automatic by `publishedAt` (newest first) and if `assets` is empty, the block falls back to a single GitHub release button.

Usage:

- `frontend/content/releases/server/` for server releases
- `frontend/content/releases/launcher/` for launcher releases

Name files by tag (for example `v1.6.2.md`).

## How to add a release

1. Copy an existing release file in the right folder.
2. Update the frontmatter (`tag`, `publishedAt`, `htmlUrl`, `assets`).
3. Optional: add `highlights` and/or `admonition`.
4. Paste the full changelog in the markdown body.

That is it :)

## Locale support

If you want to translate the release text, mirror the same file names in:

- `frontend/i18n/<your_locale>/content/releases/server/`
- `frontend/i18n/<your_locale>/content/releases/launcher/`

## Frontmatter reference

Required:

- `tag`
- `publishedAt` (ISO format, example: `"2026-02-14T12:00:00Z"`)
- `htmlUrl`
- `assets` (download buttons)

Optional:

- `highlights` (shown above "View full changelog")
- `admonition` (small warning/info box)

## Server example

```md
---
tag: v1.5.9.0000
publishedAt: "2026-02-14T12:00:00Z"
htmlUrl: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/open.mp/releases/tag/v1.5.9.0000
highlights:
- Built-in NPC improvements
- Better networking and sync checks
admonition:
type: warning
title: Linux note
body: "Example warning text."
assets:
- label: Windows
url: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/open.mp/releases/download/v1.5.9.0000/open.mp-win-x86.zip
size: "35.0 MB"
- label: Linux
url: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/open.mp/releases/download/v1.5.9.0000/open.mp-linux-x86.tar.gz
size: "30.0 MB"
---

## What's Changed
...
```

## Launcher example

```md
---
tag: v1.6.2
publishedAt: "2026-02-14T12:00:00Z"
htmlUrl: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/tag/v1.6.2
highlights:
- Better stability
- Better favorites management
admonition:
type: warning
title: Antivirus false positive
body: "Example warning text."
assets:
- label: "Download Launcher (.exe)"
url: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/download/v1.6.2/omp-launcher-setup.exe
size: "5.2 MB"
---

## What's Changed
...
```
17 changes: 17 additions & 0 deletions frontend/content/releases/launcher/v0.0.1.md
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---
tag: v0.0.1
publishedAt: "2023-11-10T10:19:44Z"
htmlUrl: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/tag/v0.0.1
assets:
- label: "Download Launcher (.exe)"
url: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/download/v0.0.1/omp-launcher_0.0.1_x64-setup.exe
size: "3.6 MB"
---

## First release of open.mp launcher
Please note you still need samp installed to play, you can install samp from https://sa-mp.mp/downloads/ and then open open.mp launcher to enjoy a live, reliable, and populated server list to find any server you want to play on!

Many more features will be available in future and directly built into the launcher in future versions

## Installation
You can choose whether you want the portable versions or install it normally like any other application, in your desired path. For portable version, you can just download **omp-launcher.exe**, the other two are installers, you choose whatever you want.
33 changes: 33 additions & 0 deletions frontend/content/releases/launcher/v1.0.0.md
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---
tag: v1.0.0
publishedAt: "2024-01-29T00:29:08Z"
htmlUrl: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/tag/v1.0.0
highlights:
- Full launcher UI redesign
- Built-in SA-MP installation/version selection workflow
- Server banner and Discord link support in the browser
- Performance/resource usage improvements with many new languages
assets:
- label: "Download Launcher (.exe)"
url: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/download/v1.0.0/omp-launcher-setup.exe
size: "3.9 MB"
---

## Installation
Just run `omp-launcher.exe`
### Note:
For users using old Windows 10, Windows 8(.1), or Windows 7, if you do not have WebView2 installed (comes preinstalled in newer Windows 10 and 11 setups, and comes with Microsoft Edge), You must install this launcher using setup file in releases section.

## What's Changed
A new version of launcher is out, **v1.0.0**, and in this version, the entire UI is reworked (Special thanks to @continue2048 for his participations and helps). There are numerous changes to improve performance and resource usage to bring the best experience while using this launcher to browse servers and join your favorite one.
Here are list of new changes in latest version of open.mp launcher:
- **New design**
- **SA-MP Installation:** No need to download SA-MP separately anymore, you can choose from versions list or keep using the one installed in your game's directory!
- **Banners and Discord links:** Show open.mp server banners and discord invite link if available
- Ability to toggle Discord status in settings
- Performance and resource usage improvements
- Tens of new languages

**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/compare/v0.0.1...v1.0.0

Special thanks to @continue98 for his contributions for UI design mockups
43 changes: 43 additions & 0 deletions frontend/content/releases/launcher/v1.4.0.md
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---
tag: v1.4.0
publishedAt: "2024-08-18T09:04:32Z"
htmlUrl: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/tag/v1.4.0
highlights:
- Broad stability and performance improvements
- CLI support and deep-link URI handling (`omp://` and `samp://`)
- First open.mp client integration with improved version selection
- x86-only packaging with lower false-positive antivirus risk
assets:
- label: "Download Launcher (.exe)"
url: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/download/v1.4.0/omp-launcher-setup.exe
size: "3.1 MB"
---

## What's Changed
* More locales added/fixed.
* A lot of performance fixes
* CLI support with arguments, use `--help` for more info
* Server profile in join prompt by showing logo and banner
* Discord status now uses server logos
* Potentially fixed samp.dll injection for everyone
* open.mp client (first variation) has been added
* Better samp version selection
* Add deep linking and URI scheme `omp://ip:port` and take over `samp://`
* Handle URI scheme
* Add discord status buttons to download launcher and play with your friends
* Fully move to x86 (32bits) so we don't have to distribute multiple releases for different people
* No more using UPX for less false-positive malware detection
* Fix password issue when a server was previously locked and a password is stored

## New Contributors
* @Ykpauneu made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/94
* @midosvt made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/97
* @coool9 made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/111
* @tnz1992 made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/114
* @aujiz11 made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/115
* @lahaine42 made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/117
* @karthigenius made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/159
* @ulasbayraktar made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/133
* @Tornamic made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/176

**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/compare/v1.0.0...v1.4.0
76 changes: 76 additions & 0 deletions frontend/content/releases/launcher/v1.5.2.md
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---
tag: v1.5.2
publishedAt: "2025-01-10T02:42:10Z"
htmlUrl: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/tag/v1.5.2
highlights:
- Encrypted client–server communication for open.mp servers
- Major stability and crash fixes across the client
- Improved compatibility with CLEO scripts and other mods
- Better Windows support and removal of legacy dependencies
admonition:
assets:
- label: "Download Launcher (.exe)"
url: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/releases/download/v1.5.2/omp-launcher-setup.exe
size: "3.9 MB"
---

## What's Changed
### Launcher changes
* Inject samp sooner if possible
* Fix encoding for polish texts in server data
* Fixed omp server check when version string is modified
* Remove manual run as admin launch, just use a GIF file for those who can't understand
* Move data storage back to `localStorage` to fix the problem with data resetting once in a while
* Remove discord status implementation, let native mod handle it
* Remove UPX usage
* Better deep linking
* Copy to clipboard to add server modal's textinput
* Fix the problem with d3dx9_25.dll missing
* Proper shortcut names now

### Client mod changes
* Add server to client encryption (open.mp servers only) to securely communicate with server and stay safe against malicious packets.
* Re-implement client check types 69 and 5, for all samp versions (it means 0.3.7 R1 players have it as well).
* Fix animation loading, no more animation preloading on server side, playing it works at first attempt now.
* Fix RemoveBuildingForPlayer crash and remove the limit.
* Fix smoking animation when smoke special action is used and player presses LMB.
* Remove LV and LS stadiums map icons and useless checkpoints.
* Fix vehicle horn playing for others when player is pressing H while having hydraulics component.
* Increase screenshot limit from 1000 to 1,000,000.
* Implement discord status natively and built into client mod.
* 1.0 EU support.
* Fix mouse issues when the game is running on newer Windows versions.
* Remove DirectPlay dependency.
* A small heap corruption fix.
* Fix crash issues happening at 0x0040FB80 and 0x006F5636 (Disable loading of data/Paths/tracks2.dat and data\Paths\tracks4.dat).
* Completely change the way this mod hooks into functions.
* Fix compatibility issues with some CLEO4 scripts and CLEO5 & CLEO Redux.
* Fix compatibility issues with various mods.
* Properly fix animation issues with buffer overflow in names.

### Contributions by others
* A tiny correction in RU localization by @NexiusTailer in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/195
* Translation Update zh-TW.ts by @XiaoNiaoa in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/198
* Update Arabic localization by @RouatbiH in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/192
* Translation Update zh-CN.ts by @XiaoNiaoa in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/197
* Implement Serbian Translation by @Trysha-rbrn in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/213
* Update Italian translation by @ReshiramZekrom1 in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/214
* update Vietnamese translation by @aujiz11 in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/217
* Added Georgian language by @Lasho4 in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/236
* Update Portuguese (Brazil) Translation File Format and Keys by @itsneufox in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/234
* update polish translation by @mpudliszewski in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/237
* fix encoding for polish strings by @mpudliszewski in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/238
* Check for `allowed_clients` rule instead of `allow_DL` to determine if server is open.mp by @xunder-matth in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/253
* Fixed missing password option in cli by @znemoe in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/267
* Add settings_advanced_discord_status_requires_restart key to PT translation by @itsneufox in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/272

## New Contributors
* @XiaoNiaoa made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/198
* @Trysha-rbrn made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/213
* @Lasho4 made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/236
* @itsneufox made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/234
* @mpudliszewski made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/237
* @xunder-matth made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/253
* @znemoe made their first contribution in https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/pull/267

**Full Changelog**: https://github.com/openmultiplayer/launcher/compare/v1.4.0...v1.5.2
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