You can configure more advanced settings like repeating every 1 or 4 or 8 hours. The trigger above runs daily at midnight and stops the task if it runs for more than 2 hours. If your computer is shutdown, this task will fail to run But your computer must be powered on and running for this to work. This should always run at the exact time you define here. On the task setting pane, specify how often you want the scans to run and when you’d like them to start. In the Microsoft Defender Scheduled Scan Properties (Local Computer) window, select the Triggers tab, go to the bottom of the window, and then tap or click New. In the top center pane, double-click (or press twice) Microsoft Defender Scheduled Scan. When Schedule Tasks opens, in the left pane, expand Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows, and then scroll down and double-click (or press) the Windows Defender folder. Select Schedule tasks from the result listed on the menu.

To schedule the Microsoft Defender Antivirus program to only scan your computer at the time and frequency you choose, click Start => then search for Schedule tasks To do that, follow the steps below: Schedule a scan # You can run an advanced scan on your computer if you suspect it to be infected. Under Current threats, select Quick scan (or in previous versions of Windows 10, under Threat history, select Scan now) Run an advanced scan # Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection. This is much faster than running a full scan on all your files and folders.

If you suspect there’s malware or a virus on your computer, you can run a quick scan using Microsoft Defender.

When you’re concerned about risks to a specific file or folder, you can right-click the file or folder in File Explorer, then select Scan with Microsoft Defender. This will mean less interference with your work. You can also schedule Microsoft Defender to run during the time you defined and scan at a time and frequency that you choose. The scan takes place while your computer is not being used or when it’s idle so as not to interfere with your work. Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans your computer regularly to keep your device safe from viruses and malware.

Microsoft malware scanner