How to directly scan a file or folder with Windows Defender?


  1. mmo
    Posts : 140
    Windows 10
       New #1

    How to directly scan a file or folder with Windows Defender?


    On my previous system (also a Windows 10 laptop) when I right-clicked a file and picked "Scan with Windows Defender" then immediately THAT file or folder was scanned and the results shown. No further intervention needed!

    On my new system, when I right-click on a file or folder and select the same option then the Settings => Security => "Scan options" page opens. On that page one can choose "custom scan" to have only a single file or folder scanned, but then one first has to navigate from "Computer" through the entire file tree to select that file/folder and pick it to be scanned. That is so much longer and much more tedious!

    The former way was much more convenient and quicker! Right-click on a file/folder and - snap - have it scanned.

    How can I get the former behavior again?
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  3. Try3
    Posts : 16,950
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #2

    I'm sorry but are you certain that it is not scanning so fast that it has completed before the Defender interface opens?
    Check the date & time shown at the top of the interface.
    Here's one I just did and that result was already there by the time I looked at it.
    How to directly scan a file or folder with Windows Defender?-defender-file-scanned.png


    Denis
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  4. mmo
    Posts : 140
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Just repeated that with several examples and I think you are absolutely right!
    I hadn't spotted that! Thanks for making me aware!
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  6. Try3
    Posts : 16,950
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #4

    And, on the plus side, it means that all that money you spent on a new computer has got you something that is so fast that it has caused this confusion.

    All the best,
    Thanks for the rep,
    Denis
      My Computer
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