Windows Defender protects your computer while you work with the computer. It monitors your computer when modifying or opening files.
If you do not use the computer, or if you want to set a scheduled scan on certain days, this is not possible by default with Windows Defender. To perform a scheduled scan, a task must be created yourself.
After creating a task, you can set when this task should be performed. This article shows you how to create and run a scheduled scan with Windows Defender using the Task Scheduler.
Set up scheduled scan with Windows Defender
You can set up a scheduled scan with Windows Defender on a Windows 11 or 10 computer. A requirement is that you are the administrator of the computer and that you are logged in with an administrator account.
Right-click on the Start button. In the menu click on “execute”. In the run window type: taskschd.msc
You have now opened the task scheduler. Click on “Create basic task” at the top right.
Enter a clear and recognizable name for the planned Windows Defender scan. You can also add a description. Click next.
You can now indicate when the scheduled scan should be performed. In my case, I chose to run a weekly scheduled scan with Windows Defender. Make your choice and click next.
Please provide a start date at a time. After this, you indicate when the task should be performed. The start date and time are in the future and are used to run the task. If you enter Sunday 11:00 as in the example, the scheduled scan will start on Sunday, every week at 11:00 in the morning.
Make your choice and click next.
Click on “start a program”. We are going to use the command-line version of Windows Defender to perform a scheduled scan.
In the program/script enter the following path, between quotes.
"%programfiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe"
In the parameter you enter the parameters to start the scan. You can choose the type of scan you want to perform.
-Scan -Scantype 2
This is a full scan. This takes longer, but ensures that your entire computer is scanned with Windows Defender.
-Scan -Scantype 1
This is a quick scan. This scan takes less time and uses fewer system processes.
-Scan -Scantype 3 -File "C:\Map\"
If you only want to scan a specific path, you can use scan type 3. Just make sure you “C:\Folder” replaces with the desired path.
If you have entered the desired scan type in the parameter, click next.
You will now get a summary of the scheduled Windows defender scan task. At the bottom, enable the option “Open this task's property window when I click finish.” Click finish.
In the task properties enable the following options; “Run regardless of whether user is logged in or not”. This will always run the scan on the set date and time (if the PC is on).
Also enable the “Run with most privileges” option. This requires a username and password. Click “OK”.
Enter the username and password of your account if this is an account with administrator rights. Click “OK”.
You have now created a scheduled scan with Windows Defender. This scheduled scan will now run automatically.
If you want to know what the results are, you can request the log file. You will find this at the following location. You can paste this path in Windows Explorer.
C:\Users\%UserName%\AppData\Local\Temp\MpCmdRun.log
Also read: Enable ransomware protection in Windows Defender Antivirus.
Problems with Windows Defender? This is how you You can reinstall Windows Defender.
I hope this helped. Thank you for reading!