how to keep pc on during quick scan

Martha Campbell 0 Reputation points
2026-09-14T15:30:29.64+00:00

when I run quick scan, my pc goes into sleep mode if I'm not actively on it. where do I set it to stay on till scan is complete

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Sleep and Power on, off
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  1. John Jefferson Doyon 88,240 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-14T16:04:47.85+00:00

    Hi, @Martha Campbell

    If you haven't tried it yet, first, go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen, sleep & hibernate timeouts.

    Set "Make my device sleep after" to "Never" while plugged in. You can change it back after the scan finishes.

    To help narrow this down:

    1. Are you running the Quick scan in Windows Security/Microsoft Defender, or another antivirus?
    2. Does the PC go to sleep while plugged in, or only when running on battery?

    Click "Add comment" to let me know. 

    Thanks!

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  2. ApexNáV 365 Reputation points
    2026-09-14T15:57:17.38+00:00

    Windows and built‑in Windows Security (Defender) do not have a specific “keep PC on during scan” option. The only way is to temporarily change the normal power settings (screen timeout and sleep) before starting the scan, then change them back afterward. To change settings:

    1. Open Settings → System → Power & sleep (Windows 10) or Settings → System → Power & battery → Screen and sleep (Windows 11).
    2. Under Screen, set both options to your desired time (or Never if you want it always on):
      • On battery power, turn off my screen after: choose time or Never
      • When plugged in, turn off my screen after: choose time or Never
    3. Under Sleep, set both options to Never:
      • On battery power, PC goes to sleep after: Never
      • When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after: Never
    4. Run your quick scan.
    5. After the scan finishes, set the screen and sleep options back to your normal times if you want.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-09-14T15:30:41.6433333+00:00

    Use one of these Windows options:

    1. Set sleep to a longer time or temporarily disable it
      • Open Start > Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings.
      • Select the current power plan settings and increase the sleep timeout, or set sleep so the PC does not sleep during the scan.
    2. If using a laptop, check lid and power button behavior
      • In Additional power settings, select Choose what closing the lid does.
      • Set When I close the lid to Sleep only if that is desired, or avoid closing the lid during the scan.
      • Select Choose what the power buttons does and confirm the power button is not set to put the PC to sleep accidentally.
    3. Use PowerToys Awake for a temporary keep-awake option
      • PowerToys Awake keeps the computer awake without changing Windows power and sleep settings.
      • It is useful for long-running tasks so work continues uninterrupted.
      • It works only while signed in and enabled, and it does not work when the lock screen is displayed.

    For Microsoft Defender specifically, power state can interrupt scans. If the device enters sleep or changes power state, the scan might not finish in a timely manner. If the device is running on battery during a scheduled full scan, the scan stops and runs again at the next scheduled time.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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