How to Manually Scan Files, Folders, and Drives with Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10


The Virus & threat protection section in Windows Security helps you scan for threats on your device. You can also run different types of scans, see the results of your previous virus and threat scans, and get the latest protection offered by Windows Defender Antivirus.

Windows Security uses real-time protection to scan your downloads and the programs you run on your device. Also, Windows Update downloads definition updates for Windows Security automatically to help keep your device safe and protect it from threats.

This tutorial will show you different ways on how to manually scan files, folders, and drives on demand with Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10.

Contents

• Option One: Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus using Context Menu
• Option Two: Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows Security
• Option Three: Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus from Command Line
• Option Four: Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus from PowerShell

OPTION ONE

Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus using Context Menu

1 Select one or more files, folders, or drives you want to scan on your desktop or File Explorer window.

You will only be able to select one item in the navigation pane to scan.

2 Right click or press and hold on the selected items, and click/tap on Scan with Windows Defender. (see screenshot below)

3 Windows Defender Security Center will now automatically open showing you the scan results. (see screenshot below)

4 If any threats were found, you will be able to See threat details or just Clean threats. (see screenshots below)

See threat details will allow you to select what action to take, and click/tap on Start actions to apply. You can click/tap on See details to see more details about a found threat.

OPTION TWO

Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows Security

1 Open Windows Security. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on the Virus & threat protection icon in Windows Security. (see screenshot below)

3 Do step 4 (quick scan), step 5 (full scan), or step 6 (custom scan) below for what type of scan you want to run.

 4. To Run a Quick Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus

A) Click/tap on the Quick Scan button, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

 5. To Run a Full Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus

A) Click/tap on the Scan options link. (see screenshot below)

B) Select (dot) Full scan, click/tap on the Scan now button, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

 6. To Run a Custom Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus

A) Click/tap on the Scan options link. (see screenshot below)

B) Select (dot) Custom scan, and click/tap on the Scan now button. (see screenshot below)

C) Select a folder or drive you want to scan, click/tap on the Select Folder button, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

7 Windows Defender Antivirus will now start scanning. (see screenshot below)

8 When the scan has finished, you will see the scan results. (see screenshot below)

9 If any threats were found, you will be able to See threat details or just Clean threats. (see screenshots below)

See threat details will allow you to select what action to take, and click/tap on Start actions to apply. You can click/tap on See details to see more details about a found threat.

OPTION THREE

Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus from Command Line

For more MpCmdRun.exe command line usage options, see: Use the command line to manage Windows Defender AV | Microsoft Docs

1 Open a command prompt.

2 Copy and paste the command you want to use below into the command prompt, and press Enter.

(Update and Quick scan)
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -SignatureUpdate & "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -Scan -ScanType 1

OR

(Quick scan)
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -Scan -ScanType 1

OR

(Full scan)
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -Scan -ScanType 2

OPTION FOUR

Scan with Windows Defender Antivirus from PowerShell

For more Start-MpScan command line usage options, see: Start-MpScan | Microsoft Docs

1 Open PowerShell.

2 Copy and paste the command you want to use below into PowerShell, and press Enter.

(Update and Quick scan)
Update-MpSignature; Start-MpScan -ScanType QuickScan

OR

(Quick scan)
Start-MpScan -ScanType QuickScan

OR

(Full scan)
Start-MpScan -ScanType FullScan

That's it,
Shawn Brink

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