Windows Defender is a built-in security tool that comes as part of the Windows operating system. It provides basic antivirus and anti-spyware protection for your computer. The application can be used to scan for malware and other malicious software on your computer, as well as provide real-time protection against new threats.
Scheduling scans with Windows Defender is an important part of keeping your computer secure. Regularly scanning for threats can help protect your system from malicious attacks and infections.
Using Windows Defender to schedule a scan is easy and can be done in two main ways: via the Windows Security Center or by using the Task Scheduler.
To schedule a scan with Windows Defender from the Windows Security Center:
1. Open the Windows Security Center. You can do this either by searching for it in the Start menu or by typing “Windows Security” into the Cortana search bar.
2. Once the Windows Security Center has opened, select the “Virus & threat protection” option.
3. In the Virus & threat protection window, you should see an option titled “Schedule a scan”. Click this.
4. You will then be given the option to choose either “Quick” or “Full” scan depending on your preference. Select the scan type and click “Next”.
5. You will now be presented with the scheduling options. Here, you can choose the frequency and time of the scan, as well as any additional actions you want to take if any malware is detected. Select your preferred settings and click “OK”.
Your scan will now be set up and will be scheduled to run at the chosen time.
Alternatively, you can also use the Task Scheduler to schedule your Windows Defender scans. To do this:
1. Open the Start Menu and search for “Task Scheduler”. Select it from the results.
2. The Task Scheduler window will open. On the left-hand side of the window, select “Create Basic Task”.
3. Enter a name for your task and a brief description, then click “Next”.
4. You will now be presented with the scheduling options. Choose the frequency, start time and end time for your scan, then click “Next”.
5. Select the “Start a program” action and click “Next”.
6. In the “Program/script” field, enter “C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe”. In the “Add arguments” field, enter “-scan -scheduled”. Click “Next”.
7. Finally, review your settings and click “Finish”. Your scan will now be scheduled to run at the chosen time.
Once you have scheduled your scan with Windows Defender, you can check on its progress by opening the Task Scheduler window and selecting the “History” tab. Here, you will be able to see if the scan is running and, if so, how long it has been running for.