How To Enable Scheduled Scans For Windows Defender In Windows 10

Windows Defender can be scheduled to run automatic scans in Windows 10.

Here is how :

First, access Task Scheduler from Windows Administrative Tools in Start menu.

accessing Task Scheduler in Windows 10

Next, drill down to Task Scheduler (Local) >  Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows.

Task Scheduler in Windows 10

Scroll down and click on Windows Defender.

Windows Defender scheduled tasks in Windows 10

In the right pane, a scheduled task will already be listed for Windows Defender scan but it needs to be triggered. (If you already have any other antivirus program installed and running, this will not be visible.)

enabling Windows Defender Scheduled Scan task in Windows 10

Double click on it and from Triggers section, select New.

creating a schedule for Windows Defender scans to run in Windows 10

Then, choose a schedule as needed. It can be One time, Daily, Weekly or Monthly. Additional options like repeating it or stopping it automatically stopping it if it takes too long can also be set from here.

options when choosing a schedule for Windows Defender scheduled scan

Click OK to save the changes when done. The new schedule will now be listed in the right pane.

Scheduled scan enabled for Windows Defender

Windows 10 also comes with Ransomware Protection and Protected folders that can be enabled. You can also use Sandboxie to isolate running browsers and programs in a protected space for better security.

All done.

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