How to scan a file or folder with Windows Defender on Windows 10

Windows Defender has always-on protection, which means it will scan new files as soon as they are downloaded, copied, or saved to your system. This is why, when you download a file, your anti-virus can detect whether it is malicious right away and quarantine it.

Some users dislike the fact that Windows Defender is always on, so they turn off the Real-Time Protection feature. Unless you have another antivirus installed on your system, this isn’t a good idea.

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Scan a file or folder with Windows Defender

Users can turn on or off Windows Defender’s Real-Time protection, but regardless of the setting, they can scan a single file or folder, or their entire system, at any time.

1. Scan select items

If you’re scanning a single file or folder, or multiple items, make sure they’re all in the same place. If they aren’t, you’ll have to scan each one separately.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the file or folder you want to scan with Windows Defender.
3. Select all items that you want to scan.
4. Right-click a single, selected item.
5. Select ‘Scan with Microsoft Defender’ from the context menu.
6. The items will be scanned.
7. When the scan is complete, Windows Defender will open and display the scan results.

2. Run custom scan

Another option for scanning specific files and folders with Windows Defender is to do so directly from the app.

1. Open Windows Defender.
2. Go to Virus & threat protection.
3. Click Scan options.
4. Select Custom scan.
5. Click Scan now.
6. Select the folder you want to scan (this does not work for individual files).
7. Allow the scan to complete.

3. Run full system scan

If you have Windows Defender turned on, it will scan your entire system on a regular basis. These scans usually take place when you aren’t using your computer. You can, however, run a scan at any time.

1. Open Windows Defender.
2. Go to Virus & threat protection.
3. Click the ‘Quick Scan’ button if you’d like to run a quick scan.
4. Click Scan options if you’d like to run a more thorough scan.
5. Select the type of scan you want to run.
6. Click Scan.
7. Allow the scan to finish.

Related: How To Check If Your RAM Type Is DDR3 Or DDR4 On Windows 10

Conclusion

At least once a week, Windows Defender will scan your computer. The scan will cover the entire system. If you always turn off your computer when you’re not using it, Windows Defender might not get a chance to run its scan. Manually scanning the entire system is a good idea in that case.