Need exclusion for Defender Exploit Guard Network Protection

I have a configuration where the Defender Exploit Guard Network Protection needs to be enabled. Recently an MS update must have changed what triggers this protection and I now have 2 custom applications that no longer launch properly.

An acceptable solution is to add exclusions for the offending applications.

I have been trying to add an exclusion for these application but without any luck. The only way to get the applications to work is to disable the feature through gpedit. Here the option:

"Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Defender Antivirus\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection\Prevent users and apps from accessing dangerous websites"

These are standalone Win10Pro machines running version 1803. I've tried the following:

1) Using gpedit, adding the application exe and path to
"Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Defender Antivirus\Exclusions\Path Exclusions"

2) Using Defender Security Center - App&browser Control - Exploit protection settings - Program Settings
Adding each application and then disabling ALL system options.

I'm kinda stuck at the moment and I'm hoping I'm missing something.

Thanks,
Dave

Controlled Folder Access is already disabled. Thanks for the suggestion.