Can You Run Defender Quick Scans Automatically?


  1. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #1

    Can You Run Defender Quick Scans Automatically?


    All my PCs routinely show a yellow marker on the Defender tray icon nagging me that a Quick Scan is due. Is there a way of configuring Defender to run these Quick Scans automatically when due?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 5,136
    Windows 10 Home 64bit
       #2

    Steve C said:
    All my PCs routinely show a yellow marker on the Defender tray icon nagging me that a Quick Scan is due. Is there a way of configuring Defender to run these Quick Scans automatically when due?
    Ever since the Windows 10 Anniversary Update a few years ago, Defender's ability to run its automatic quick scan has been broken for most users, resulting in an 0x2 error. It's been well documented that Microsoft's been aware of the problem but has never issued a fix. MS has had two responses -- either run a manual scan or create a custom task. The following TenForums link shows how to create a task for scanning at a time and frequency you want. Hope this helps.

    Schedule Scan in Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10
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  3. Posts : 35
    Windows 10 Pro for Workstations
       #3

    Crizal said:
    Ever since the Windows 10 Anniversary Update a few years ago, Defender's ability to run its automatic quick scan has been broken for most users, resulting in an 0x2 error. It's been well documented that Microsoft's been aware of the problem but has never issued a fix. MS has had two responses -- either run a manual scan or create a custom task.
    Whoa! That's the first I have heard of this. MS, you are pathetic, get off your butts now and fix this!

    I had issues trying to schedule Windows Defender full scans via Group Policy--see here. I have not had time to finish debugging this. I wonder if the bug Crizal mentions is related?
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  4. Posts : 580
    Windows 10 Home
       #4

    Steve C said:
    All my PCs routinely show a yellow marker on the Defender tray icon nagging me that a Quick Scan is due. Is there a way of configuring Defender to run these Quick Scans automatically when due?
    Press the Windows and "R" keys simultaneously, type "powershell" into the "Run" box, then hold the shift and Ctrl keys down and click "OK". When Powershell starts, type or paste the following into it and press "Enter".

    set-mppreference -disablecatchupquickscan $false
    set-mppreference -scanscheduleday everyday

    Ben
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,136
    Windows 10 Home 64bit
       #5

    up2trix said:
    Whoa! That's the first I have heard of this. MS, you are pathetic, get off your butts now and fix this!

    I had issues trying to schedule Windows Defender full scans via Group Policy--see here. I have not had time to finish debugging this. I wonder if the bug Crizal mentions is related?
    Just some of the documentation on Defender and broken automatic scans...


    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...8-153d7ea22cac -- read entire thread (short but succinct).
    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...3-9fcd1b6e9493
    Windows Defender Scheduled Scan returns result 0x2
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  6. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks for your advice. How pathetic of MS not to fix this issue after a considerable period. I created a task to do a weekly quick scan.
    Last edited by Steve C; 27 Jun 2019 at 16:01.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 16,783
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #7

    Ben Myers said:
    set-mppreference -scanscheduleday everyday
    Ben,

    I have also set up a task in TS instead but please would you tell me -
    1 Is this PS task listed in Task scheduler?
    2 Is this PS task shown anywhere in the WD UI?

    I'm asking because I'd like to experiment with using PS for some WD work [PS WD commands - MSDocs].

    All the best,
    Denis
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,136
    Windows 10 Home 64bit
       #8

    Steve C said:
    Thanks for your advice. How pathetic of MS not to fix this issue after a considerable period. I created mu own task to do a weekly quick scan.
    Glad the info helped. I totally agree with you and I did the same thing you did.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 580
    Windows 10 Home
       #9

    Try3 said:
    Ben,
    I have also set up a task in TS instead but please would you tell me -
    1 Is this PS task listed in Task scheduler?
    2 Is this PS task shown anywhere in the WD UI?
    I'm asking because I'd like to experiment with using PS for some WD work [PS WD commands - MSDocs].
    All the best,
    Denis
    I don't know if "set-mppreference" actually creates a task. One possibility is that it modifies the Windows Defender tasks that are built into the system. Start Powershell and type "get-mppreference | more", then hold down the "Enter" key to see all the options. Strange that the Defender UI doesn't show all these settings.

    Ben
    Last edited by Ben Myers; 27 Jun 2019 at 12:46.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 16,783
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #10

    Ben, Thanks. Denis
      My Computer


 

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