How to Scan for Viruses in Windows 10

“Be careful with storage, allow updates to install, and always check for viruses.” For years, this was the best piece of advice you could give to anyone with a Windows PC. It has always been important to purchase some form of virus protection for your laptop or tablet as well. Microsoft started to take security seriously after a pretty tough patch for Windows XP. Microsoft didn’t include the best tool to detect and fix your devices until Windows 8 and Windows 10.

Windows 8 and Windows 10 both include free virus protection. What’s more, you don’t need to manage their updates or download them from a website. They work seamlessly to keep your device as secure as possible. Microsoft calls its virus tools suite Windows Defender.

Here’s how to scan for viruses in Windows 10 using Windows Defender, the security program for every new laptop, tablet, desktop, and 2-in-1 with Microsoft’s latest operating system.

Before You Begin

Before we get started, there are a few things to note. First, Windows Defender is included with Windows 10, but could not be activated on your PC. The company that made your device has the option to pre-install security software made by partners. These partners are usually McAffe or Norton.

If you have another security suite on your Windows 10 device, go for that security suite to check for viruses and make sure your device is protected. If you disable or uninstall these software suites, Windows 10 will prompt you to turn on Windows Defender and keep your device safe. Reviews of Windows Defender are positive, mostly because it stays out of the way and stays quiet while keeping you safe. On the other hand, some research shows that other security suites outperform Windows Defender.

The important thing is that you always have some sort of security suite to prevent infections for downloads and more.

Finding Windows Defender and Making Sure It’s On

Press the Windows key on your keyboard or the Windows button on the Taskbar to open the Start Menu. Note that if you are using your device in Tablet Mode, you will get the Start Screen instead of the Start Menu.

Tap or click the icon in the lower left corner of the Start Menu and Start Screen.

Welcome to the Settings app. Tap or click now

In the Update & Security area, you’ll find everything you need to keep your device running and secure. Windows Update ensures Windows Defender has the latest virus updates and definitions. It is the first screen that appears. In Windows 10, updates are installed silently and automatically. Therefore, manually checking for new virus definitions is not something you should do before scanning for viruses.

Tap or click on the menu on the left side of the Settings app. It is the second menu item.

If these switches are greyed out, you can bet Windows Defender is turned off on your device. If you want to use Windows Defender, you will have to go and uninstall your other security system. You can do this from the Control Panel or from the Settings applet under If All these switches are on, you are probably getting virus definitions from Microsoft’s servers and Windows is scanning your files in real time.

While Microsoft has integrated these options into the Settings app, it has yet to add actual scanning to the Settings app. You need to go to a separate area for this. Tap or click the link at the bottom of your screen.

Scanning with Windows Defender

Welcome to Windows Defender. Things have changed a lot in Windows, but Windows Defender itself looks the same as it always has. Note that you don’t have to dive into the Settings app before accessing Windows Defender, as it’s a separate app. Much easier than trying to remember what Microsoft called the program.

Use the selectors on the right to decide whether you want to scan your entire computer or run a Quick Scan to check for urgent problems. Use the Custom option to scan specific files. Note that Windows 10 scans downloads for you in real time. You shouldn’t have to use this Custom option often.

Since updates are managed by Windows Update, you don’t need that tab. The History tab lets you keep track of what Windows Defender finds. If Windows Defender finds anything during the scan, it will give you the option to quarantine or delete that item. If it’s a file you downloaded, choose always delete. If this is a Windows file, quarantine and refresh your computer immediately.

Good luck with Windows 10 and Windows Defender. Hopefully, you will never have to use it.