If malware is detected through either type of scan, you’ll see a notification saying potentially harmful software was detected. Almost every aspect of Windows Defender can be managed or automated using the MpCmdrun.exe command-line tool and PowerShell cmdlets. Now since my demonstration is over, I will turn Malwarebytes back off in the security center and I will then have the benefit of both. Windows Defender, the built-in anti-virus program in Windows, has useful features such as cloud-based protection, offline scanning, limited periodic scanning, tamper protection, controlled folder access, etc.

Note my system tray icon is green as well. Click it and check the box next to Microsoft Defender Offline Scan. Defenders real-time protection is off and you only have an option for periodic scanning and even that is off by default in Defender. Windows Defender should automatically be updated with the latest antivirus definitions, but you can click the “Update” tab here and manually check for updates before scanning, if you like. Once Windows Defender is activated even for just periodic scans, look for Scan Options. To perform a manual scan, select “Quick” for a fast scan, “Full” for a deep system scan, or “Custom” for a scan of only the folders your choose. You can do this by heading to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Defender > Open Windows Defender, clicking the new shield-shaped Windows Defender icon in the notification area and selecting “Open”, or launching Windows Defender from the Start menu.Īssuing you’ve set up limited periodic scanning, you’ll see a message saying “Windows Defender Periodic Scanning is ON”, but that real-time protection is handled by another antivirus program. To do this, launch the Windows Defender interface. Windows Defender can provide a second opinion that might catch something missed by your normal antivirus program.

You can also perform a manual scan of your entire computer or specific folders with Windows Defender, even if you’re using another antivirus program. Windows Defender will automatically be updated with the latest antivirus applications through Windows Update.

Windows defender periodic scanning