Windows 10, How do I set Windows Defender's scan schedule?

Anonymous
2015-08-08T19:45:15+00:00

I installed the Windows 10 on the 29th of July, 2015 Windows Defender hasn't ran a scan.

I started getting alerts that a scan is necessary to keep Windows 10 protected.

In the settings there's no scan setting like there was on Windows 7

I can manually scan, but I want it to be a full automatic scan every day.

How do I set Windows Defender to run a full auto scan every day?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2015-08-20T18:39:24+00:00

The location of the Automatic Maintenance settings actually did change in Windows 10:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/change-security-and-maintenance-settings-in-windows-10

So this is where you have to go now to change the schedule for the Windows Defender Scheduled Scan task: Right-click on the Start button and choose Control Panel > Security and Maintenance > Maintenance > Change maintenance settings.

It’s been 3 years now, and there are still way too many people (including Microsoft documentation authors) who just can’t quite seem to get a grip on how this works. The fact that the controls for the scheduled scan went missing in the new Windows Defender user interface doesn’t mean that the feature was dropped and that you’ve been left to your own devices – it means that the scheduled scan was reengineered so that it now runs reliably without any user configuration. It’s now fully automatic just like the definition updates. So you don’t have to change any settings at all to get the scan up and running; and you certainly don’t need to add a trigger, or otherwise reconfigure the Windows Defender Scheduled Scan task. This is a system task, and you would be well advised to just leave it alone. Full Scans don’t need to be scheduled, but if that’s something that you really want to do, you can use the Create Basic Task Wizard.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect\_defender-protect\_scanning/scan-schedule-for-windows-10/c53a0110-04eb-431e-9bc5-9d6db0ffcff7

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect\_defender-protect\_start/how-to-schedule-automatic-virus-scan-in-win-10/64640690-f0f0-4a11-bc7d-c47f232cd9ec

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect\_defender-protect\_start/how-do-i-make-windows-defender-start-automatically/b4948f9f-60bb-4829-aecc-cdf646d098a2

GreginMich

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

55 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-20T07:01:31+00:00

    Where's the answer?

    You say it's automatic. We have no visibility of how or what is being done. How can we make decisions about scans? Do you want to take responsibility for the results?

    Didn't think so.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-20T14:05:01+00:00

    Where's the answer?

    You say it's automatic. We have no visibility of how or what is being done. How can we make decisions about scans? Do you want to take responsibility for the results?

    Didn't think so.

    Of course there is a Scan now dialog that appears when the Automatic Maintenance scan fails to run for several consecutive days, but then again, that prompt could conceivably fail with a severely corrupted installation:

    So if you’re not able to verify that Automatic Maintenance is operational by checking the Last scan entries on the Windows Defender Home page, then the responsibility for scanning (or repairing your PC) will belong entirely to you. If Automatic Maintenance fails to scan your PC, then you can either just scan when prompted to do so; or run manual scans; or schedule a scan with the Create Basic Task Wizard. If you’re unable to assume the responsibility for your own PC, or to make the pertinent decisions, then you should enlist the help of a relative, friend, neighbor or other local caretaker.

    GreginMich

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-06T19:01:06+00:00

    Then why does Windows Defender notify "you have not run a scan for a while"?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments