How to Run a Virus Scan on Windows

Running a virus scan checks your computer for malicious software that could steal data or damage your system. Windows includes built-in antivirus protection through Windows Defender, which provides comprehensive scanning capabilities.

1. Open Windows Security. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Update & Security, then select Windows Security from the left panel. Click Open Windows Security to launch the main interface.
2. Navigate to virus protection. Click Virus & threat protection in the main Windows Security window. This section displays your current protection status and scanning options.
3. Choose your scan type. Click Scan options under the Quick scan button. Select Microsoft Defender Offline scan for the most thorough check, Custom scan to target specific folders, or Full scan to check your entire system. Quick scan only checks common infection locations.
4. Start the scan. Click Scan now to begin the process. The scan duration depends on your selection and system size. Quick scans take 1-5 minutes, while full scans can take 30 minutes to several hours on large drives.
5. Review scan results. Windows Security displays a summary when scanning completes. If threats are found, click Start actions to quarantine or remove them. The system automatically handles most detected threats without user intervention.
6. Configure automatic scanning. Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings. Ensure Real-time protection is enabled for continuous monitoring. Windows automatically runs quick scans during idle periods when this feature is active.