How to Run a Virus Scan in Windows 10

Windows 10 includes Windows Security, which is a built-in antivirus program (previously known as Windows Defender). If you suspect your device is infected, you can use the Windows Security Centre to run a virus scan to see if any malicious files are present.

The Windows Security Centre can be accessed via a white shield icon in the system tray. Alternatively, type “Windows Security” into the Start menu to open it. If you’re using an older version of Windows, the app was called Windows Defender Security Centre before the October 2018 update, so open it.

Related: How to connect to your Windows 10 PC via Remote Desktop Connection

How to perform a virus scan in Windows 10

To access the antivirus page, go to the app’s home screen and click the “Virus & threat protection” tile. To scan your device, go to “Current threats” and click the “Quick scan” button. This may take some time to complete, but you can continue to use your computer while it does so. When the scan is complete, you’ll receive an email notification.

When the scan is finished, the results will be displayed on the “Current threats” screen. If threats were discovered, the “Threat history” button will provide you with information about them.

Related: How to Create Storage Spaces in Windows 10

If the quick scan uncovers no issues, click the “Scan options” link to perform a more thorough examination. You can run a “Full scan” here, which will check every single file on your computer as well as any running programs. You can also run a custom scan within directories you specify, which is useful if you’ve already identified a suspect file and want to confirm whether it’s a threat.

With Windows 10, security has advanced significantly, and the built-in virus scanning is now quite comprehensive. Although it isn’t the most comprehensive protection system, Windows Security is adequate as long as you remain vigilant about potential threats – don’t click suspicious links in emails or on websites! You shouldn’t need to run manual scans on a regular basis because Windows runs quick scans in the background and continuously monitors your device for new threats in real time.