How to Run Windows Defender Antivirus Scan | Best Antivirus Software For Windows And Android

Windows Defender Antivirus is a built-in security tool in Windows operating system that protects your computer from viruses, malware, and other malicious software. It is a free and reliable tool that comes pre-installed with Windows 10. In this article, we will guide you on how to run a Windows Defender Antivirus scan on your computer.

Step 1: Open Windows Security

The first step is to open Windows Security. You can do this by clicking on the Windows Start menu and typing "Windows Security" in the search bar. Click on the "Windows Security" app from the search results to open it.

Step 2: Choose the Type of Scan

Once you have opened Windows Security, click on the "Virus & threat protection" tab. Under the "Current threats" section, click on the "Scan options" link. This will give you three options to choose from:

Quick scan
Full scan
Custom scan

A quick scan checks the most common areas where threats are found, a full scan checks your entire computer, and a custom scan allows you to choose specific files or folders to scan.

Step 3: Start the Scan

After you have chosen the type of scan, click on the "Scan now" button to start the scan. The time it takes to complete the scan will depend on the type of scan you have chosen and the size of your computer's hard drive.

Step 4: View Scan Results

Once the scan is complete, you can view the results by going back to the "Virus & threat protection" tab and clicking on the "Protection history" link. This will show you a list of all the threats that have been detected and removed by Windows Defender Antivirus.

Step 5: Schedule a Scan

You can also schedule a Windows Defender Antivirus scan to run automatically at a specific time. To do this, go to the "Virus & threat protection" tab and click on the "Manage settings" link under the "Virus & threat protection settings" section. Scroll down to the "Scheduled scans" section and click on the "Add or remove scans" link to customize your scan schedule.

Conclusion

Running a Windows Defender Antivirus scan is an essential part of keeping your computer secure and protected from viruses and malware. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily run a scan and view the results to ensure that your computer is free from any threats.