Run a Windows Security Scan

If your computer is in need of an anti-virus and threat protection scan, then run a scan on it using Window Security using the steps below.

Windows 10

Run a Quick Scan

  1. Find and launch Windows Security from the Start Menu.
    Screenshot of the Start Menu with Windows Security selected.
     
  2. In the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection in the left column, then click on the Quick scan button to run a quick scan on your computer.
    Windows Security window, Virus and Threat Protection tab, with the QuickScan button selected.
     
  3. The scan will run, let you know if any threats are found, and instruct you if any additional steps are required.

Other Scan Options

  1. Find and launch Windows Security from the Start Menu.
    Windows Start Menu with Windows Security selected.
     
  2. In the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection in the left column, then click on the Scan options blue text to show the options for scanning your computer.
    Windows Security window, Virus and Threat Protection tab, with Scan Options selected.
     
  3. The window will expand to show the various scan options:
    1. Quick scan - Checks folders in your system where threats are commonly found.
    2. Full scan - Checks all files and running programs on your hard disk. This scan could take longer than one hour.
    3. Custom scan - Choose which files and locations you want to check.
    4. Windows Defender Offline Scan - Some malicious software can be particularly difficult to remove from your device. Windows Defender Offline can help find and remove them using up-to-date threat definitions. This will restart your device and will take about 15 minutes.
       
  4. Select the radio button next to the scan option you want to run and then click the Scan now button.
    Windows Security window, Virus and Threat Protection tab, with the scan options selected.
     
  5. The scan will run, let you know if any threats are found, and instruct you if any additional steps are required.

 

Windows 11

Run a Quick Scan

  1. Find and launch Windows Security from the Start Menu.
    Screenshot of the Start Menu with Windows Security highlighted.
     
  2. In the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection in the left column, then click on the Quick scan button to run a quick scan on your computer.
    Screenshot of the Windows Security window with the Quick Scan button highlighted.
     
  3. The scan will run, let you know if any threats are found, and instruct you if any additional steps are required.

Other Scan Options

  1. Find and launch Windows Security from the Start Menu.
    Screenshot of the Start Menu with Windows Security highlighted.
     
  2. In the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection in the left column, then click on the Scan options blue text to show the options for scanning your computer.
    Screenshot of the Windows Security window with the "Scan options" highlighted.
     
  3. The window will expand to show the various scan options:
    1. Quick scan - Checks folders in your system where threats are commonly found.
    2. Full scan - Checks all files and running programs on your hard disk. This scan could take longer than one hour.
    3. Custom scan - Choose which files and locations you want to check.
    4. Windows Defender Offline Scan - Some malicious software can be particularly difficult to remove from your device. Windows Defender Offline can help find and remove them using up-to-date threat definitions. This will restart your device and will take about 15 minutes.
       
  4. Select the radio button next to the scan option you want to run and then click the Scan now button.
    Screenshot of the Windows Security window with the various scan options.
     
  5. The scan will run, let you know if any threats are found, and instruct you if any additional steps are required.
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