Yes, Windows Defender is capable of scanning removable media. It is one of the features available with Windows Defender, Microsoft’s built-in antivirus and anti-malware program that comes pre-installed on all Windows computers.
Windows Defender is a comprehensive security solution for PCs which includes real-time protection from malware, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious threats. The program also provides additional features such as an anti-spam filter, parental control, firewall, network monitoring, and web browsing protection.
One of Windows Defender’s key advantages is its ability to scan removable media. This means that when you plug in an external storage device – such as a USB drive or SD card – or even insert a CD or DVD into your computer, Windows Defender will automatically scan the external data for any potential threats before it is allowed to run on your system.
Using this feature, you can ensure that any external storage device you might use is free from malicious software before it is used on your system. As well as providing general protection, this is especially important if you are using a data backup or recovery disk that you have created yourself, as these types of disks are often used for the purpose of restoring data.
This feature is activated by turning ‘Automatic Removable Media Scanning’ on in the Windows Defender settings. Once activated, Windows Defender will automatically scan any external media that is connected to the computer. There is also the option of disabling this feature, although it is recommended to leave it enabled for maximum security.
Keep in mind however, that scanning external media takes time, so it might take a few minutes for Windows Defender to complete the scan before you can access the content on the device.
Overall, enabling automatic removable media scanning is a great way to make sure that your system is safe and secure, and to prevent the spread of malicious software. Thanks to Windows Defender’s ability to scan removable media, you can be sure that any external storage device that you plug into your computer is free from viruses and other threats.