を除いて

The verb 除く has a couple different meanings. It can mean "to remove/get rid of", or it can mean "to exclude or except." Keeping in mind the latter meaning, we can look at the compound particle を除いて and understand it to mean "except for." If it's used before a noun as part of an adjectival clause, the plain verb 除く is used instead.

私が重い病気だということは、両親を除いて誰も知らない。
No one knows that I'm seriously ill except my parents.

リーさんを除いて、この部屋に誰も好きじゃないの。
I don't like anyone in this room except for Lee-san.

留学中、沖縄を除く日本全国各地を友達と一緒に旅行した。
While I studied abroad, I traveled to every corner of Japan with my friends, except for Okinawa.

匂いを除いて、毎朝牧舎へ行くのが好きだよ。
Besides the smell, I like going to the stables every morning.