Yes, you can schedule a scan with Windows Defender in order to better protect your system from any existing or potential issues. Scheduling scans with Windows Defender provides you with a higher level of security and helps to ensure that your computer is not only protected from unwanted intrusions, but is regularly updated with the latest security patches and definitions. This process can be done using the native interface provided by Microsoft within the Windows operating system. Scheduling a scan is relatively easy and can be done in just a few steps.
Before you begin scheduling a scan with Windows Defender, it is important to ensure that your computer is updated with the latest security updates. You can check for Windows updates by opening the Start menu, and selecting “Settings.” From there, select the “Update & Security” section. From there, select “Check for Updates” and then follow the prompts that appear. You can also manually download and install the most current version of Windows Defender by visiting the Microsoft website.
Once you have ensured that both Windows and Windows Defender are up-to-date, you can now begin to schedule a scan. First, open the Start menu and type “Windows Defender.” Select “Windows Defender Security Center” from the list of available programs. In the main window that appears, click on the “Virus and threat protection” icon. In the protection area, select “Schedule scans.”
In the new window that appears, you can configure the type and frequency of your scan. You can choose to perform either a quick scan, full scan, or custom scan. Each option offers different benefits and should be used accordingly. Quick scans are performed regularly and look for common threats. Full scans are more thorough, but take longer to complete. Custom scans allow you to customize the scan by selecting specific folders or drives to scan.
Once you have selected the type of scan you would like to perform, you can customize the schedule. You can choose when the scan will run, how often it is performed, and if the scan will only run when your computer is idle. It is important to note that you can only schedule one scan at a time. Once you have determined your schedule, click “Save” to finalize the scan.
By scheduling regular scans with Windows Defender, you can help ensure that your computer is well-protected throughout the day. It is important that you make sure your computer is updated with the latest security patches and definitions, as well as running scheduled scans regularly to maximize your computer’s safety.