Endpoint Protection

I have 3 questions about centralized exclusions:

1. What is the proper syntax for using the %[PROGRAM_FILES]% variable? Example: I want to exclude c:\program files\Application\Stuff. Is the proper exclusion build for that folder: %[PROGRAM_FILES]%Application\Stuff or do I have to include the back slash in front of application like this: %[PROGRAM_FILES]%\Application\Stuff
2. If I use the %[PROGRAM_FILES]% variable to build a folder exclusion, will that variable be included on multiple drives? For example, if I have a server with both c:\Program Files\Application\Stuff and d:\Program Files\Application\Stuff will both of those directories be excluded by using the %[PROGRAM_FILES]% variable?
3. Based off this article it appears that I should setup folder level exclusions for my SQL servers. Can anyone think of why I would need to setup folder level exclusions if I am already excluding the following file extensions: mdf, ldf, ndf, trn, and bak.

Thanks in advance!

that \ is not needed; 

you can add it but it does not make any difference

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/centralized-exceptions-variable-question

it takes OS path; if the path is same on D ;you have mention it explicitiy

\ is optional over here

%Program Files% is <ROOT>\Program Files

it will not exclude all the program files.

Folder level exclusions are needed for SQL so that SEP doesn't affect the performace of SQL.

Thanks Rafeeq. Helpful as usual.

Thank you.