Puzzle - Automatically Logging Into Windows to Perform Antivirus Scans

Hi, everyone. I've been searching the forum and the web for this answer for actually quite a bit and I can't seem to find anything for something so simple. The threads I've read seem to suggest that there is no solution besides paid software.

Here is the problem. I have antivirus and antimalware software. And it comes with autoscans that you can set daily. I want mine to go off at night around 3 am since I'd rather not having scans going off while I'm working. I was able to learn how to wake up my computer at a certain time. (This took a long time to research in itself!) But how do you guys get over the hurdle of the Windows login?

Is it possible to have your computer locked but still have the antivirus still running its scans? (I'm assuming no.)

If not, I'll accept the security issue of the automatic login and risk it because my office is locked. But is there a way to get the windows to automatically login without getting rid of my Windows login?

Hi:

AFAIK No AV or anti-malware program can scan when the computer is powered off, asleep or hibernating.
AFAIK there is no way for a computer that is powered off to automatically power itself back on by itself, without the user doing so.
It may be possible to configure a scheduled task to wake a computer that is asleep in order to run a scan (although that can be problematic and many security programs have eliminated that feature).

Are you saying that you want to leave the computer powered on 24/7 and set to never got to sleep/hibernate, just so that AV and anti-malware scans can run overnight, unattended???
(I apologize if I misunderstand what you are trying to do.)

Having said that....
It sounds as if this might be a work computer?
If so, then many of these settings may be controlled by your IT folks (and you may not be able to over-ride them).
Likewise, changing the Windows settings to remove the password lock on the desktop may not be permitted, for security reasons (and it's a bad idea for a "work" computer).

I suggest that you might want to check with your IT folks about this, so that you don't end up in hot water for changing security settings and other configurations that might potentially compromise the entire network.

Just a thought,
MM

P.S. Same computer here?

I've been able to figure out a way to turn on the computer. Actually, there are several methods to turn on the computer either from sleep or shutdown. I was able to figure that out after many hours of research.

It's the freakin' login that's got me stumped!

MoxieMomma said:

Hi:

AFAIK No AV or anti-malware program can scan when the computer is powered off, asleep or hibernating.
AFAIK there is no way for a computer that is powered off to automatically power itself back on by itself, without the user doing so.
It may be possible to configure a scheduled task to wake a computer that is asleep in order to run a scan (although that can be problematic and many security programs have eliminated that feature).

Are you saying that you want to leave the computer powered on 24/7 and set to never got to sleep/hibernate, just so that AV and anti-malware scans can run overnight, unattended???
(I apologize if I misunderstand what you are trying to do.)

Having said that....
It sounds as if this might be a work computer?
If so, then many of these settings may be controlled by your IT folks (and you may not be able to over-ride them).
Likewise, changing the Windows settings to remove the password lock on the desktop may not be permitted, for security reasons (and it's a bad idea for a "work" computer).

I suggest that you might want to check with your IT folks about this, so that you don't end up in hot water for changing security settings and other configurations that might potentially compromise the entire network.

Just a thought,
MM

P.S. Same computer here?

I just caught your link. I can't believe it. There is a guy who has the same exact problem that I do! What are the changes of that happening? I guess this problem is more annoying that I thought!

With respect to the IT folk, let's just keep them out of this. I once went out with a sister of one of the guys who work there. And, let me just tell you that the date didn't end too well. So I've been unofficially blacklisted by the department. For example, whenever I call them, they always happen to be out eating lunch. Perhaps, if you guys can figure this out, I'll tell you what happened.

MoxieMomma said:

Hi:

AFAIK No AV or anti-malware program can scan when the computer is powered off, asleep or hibernating.
AFAIK there is no way for a computer that is powered off to automatically power itself back on by itself, without the user doing so.
It may be possible to configure a scheduled task to wake a computer that is asleep in order to run a scan (although that can be problematic and many security programs have eliminated that feature).

Are you saying that you want to leave the computer powered on 24/7 and set to never got to sleep/hibernate, just so that AV and anti-malware scans can run overnight, unattended???
(I apologize if I misunderstand what you are trying to do.)

Having said that....
It sounds as if this might be a work computer?
If so, then many of these settings may be controlled by your IT folks (and you may not be able to over-ride them).
Likewise, changing the Windows settings to remove the password lock on the desktop may not be permitted, for security reasons (and it's a bad idea for a "work" computer).

I suggest that you might want to check with your IT folks about this, so that you don't end up in hot water for changing security settings and other configurations that might potentially compromise the entire network.

Just a thought,
MM

P.S. Same computer here?

CerebralFreeze said:

I've been able to figure out a way to turn on the computer. Actually, there are several methods to turn on the computer either from sleep or shutdown.

Yes, I'm sure there are ways to wake a computer from sleep.
But I'm very interested to learn how one can turn on a PC tower from shutdown without physically pushing the power button.

MM

CerebralFreeze said:

I just caught your link. I can't believe it. There is a guy who has the same exact problem that I do! What are the changes of that happening? I guess this problem is more annoying that I thought!

LOL.
I merely pointed out your cross-post at the other forum, so that members here could also learn what is suggested at that other forum.
(It can sometimes be confusing and inefficient to seek help for the same issue simultaneously in multiple venues.)

With respect to the IT folk, let's just keep them out of this. I once went out with a sister of one of the guys who work there. And, let me just tell you that the date didn't end too well. So I've been unofficially blacklisted by the department. For example, whenever I call them, they always happen to be out eating lunch. Perhaps, if you guys can figure this out, I'll tell you what happened.

LOL
I'm not really interested in your social history.
However, again, if you are trying to override group policy or other security settings on a work computer, that could spell trouble.
As such, I'll defer to our other forum members to provide further assistance.

TBH, especially in a work environment, real-time protection and perimeter control at the network level (and group policies & safe browsing practices at the endpoint) constitute the core of one's security. Scans are just a second-opinion to detect and remove malware that may have made it past one's real time defenses.
And I've never had a problem running properly configured background scans during "waking" hours. So this may be more work than its worth.
Over the years, many security programs have eliminated the "wake computer to scan" feature. It did not work well, so it was dropped.

But, I understand your wish to schedule auto-scans during downtime. Perhaps there is a way to do it.
I expect that the IT folks at your workplace can help with that.
Otherwise, perhaps someone here can assist you with it.

Cheers,
MM

There are probably multiple ways. RTC alarm is one. There are also actual programs that do it but I was looking for free options. You can also set up a timer on your power strip.

But whatever you do, how do you bypass the windows login?!

MoxieMomma said:

Yes, I'm sure there are ways to wake a computer from sleep.
But I'm very interested to learn how one can turn on a PC tower from shutdown without physically pushing the power button.

MM

Hi:

Interesting, I guess you were referring to Wake on LAN and similar functions on supported hardware.
Thanks for the tip.

It seems like more work (and potential trouble) than its worth.
And these modifications may be prohibited by your employer because of potential security risks.

So I will wish you Good Luck!

Cheers,
MM

RTC Alarm is a little different. The computer actually shutsdown (although you can't unplug the computer). And you can set an actual time when the computer wakes up at a certain interval, like 3 am every day.

Btw, RTC Alarm won't work if you enable S4, for some odd reason.

MoxieMomma said:

Hi:

Interesting, I guess you were referring to Wake on LAN and similar functions on supported hardware.
Thanks for the tip.

It seems like more work (and potential trouble) than its worth.
And these modifications may be prohibited by your employer because of potential security risks.

So I will wish you Good Luck!

Cheers,
MM