I recommend a full scan if you suspect malware has made it to your machine somehow. Other areas where malware rarely resides are bypassed. It limits its scope to files and folders on the disk that are the most common targets of malicious software. “Quick scan” is quick because it doesn’t scan absolutely everything. On the other hand, sometimes you need more. Most of the time, Windows Security’s own periodic quick scan, coupled with its real-time components scanning things as they change or are downloaded, is enough. report this ad Why run a full scan?įull scans are not something you need do often. Exactly how long this will take varies based on what else your computer is doing at the time, how fast it is, and how much data is stored. Windows Security – Scan options.Ĭlick on Full scan, and then click on Scan now. Windows Security – Virus & threat protection.Ĭlick on Scan options. (Click for larger image.)Ĭlick on Virus & threat protection. Windows Security icon in taskbar notification area.Ĭlick on the Windows Security icon (you may need to click the caret in the taskbar - “^” - to expose the icon). We start in the Windows taskbar notification area.

Click on the Windows Security icon in the taskbar notification area.Ĭonsider a full scan whenever your machine is acting up or you suspect malicious behavior.

Windows defender scan time