How to Run Microsoft Defender Offline Scan on Windows 11

This guide will show you an easy way to run an offline scan using Microsoft Defender Antivirus on your Windows 11 PC.

What is Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

Microsoft Defender Antivirus (used to be called Windows Defender) is a free program built into Windows 11. It helps keep your computer safe by finding and removing viruses, malware, and other harmful software.

It usually works in the background to protect your PC all the time (real-time protection) and can also scan your computer when you ask it to or on a set schedule (scheduled and on-demand scans).

Microsoft Defender also has special features like cloud protection, tamper protection, and blocks unwanted apps. You can learn more about these here:

• Cloud Protection
• Tamper Protection
• Protection Against Unwanted Apps

What is an Offline Scan?

Sometimes, viruses or malware are very tricky. They can hide when Windows is running normally. An offline scan helps by running Microsoft Defender without starting Windows fully. This means it can find and remove hard-to-get bugs that normal scans might miss.

You might want to use an offline scan if:

• Your PC has a virus that is hard to remove.
• Malware is stopping Microsoft Defender from working properly.
• You want to double-check your PC is clean.

How to Run Microsoft Defender Offline Scan on Windows 11

Follow these simple steps to run the offline scan:

1. Open the Windows Security app: Click the Start button (Windows icon) and type Windows Security, then press Enter. Or click this link to learn how: Open Windows Security app
2. Click on Virus & threat protection: This will open the section where you manage your antivirus scans.
   
   

   

3. Click Scan options under the Current threats section:
   
   

   

4. Select Microsoft Defender Offline scan: This option lets Defender scan your PC before Windows fully starts. It helps remove tough malware.
5. Click Scan now to start the offline scan: Your PC will restart. The scan will begin automatically. This can take some time, so be patient.
   
   

   

After the scan finishes, your PC will restart again. You can log in as usual. Microsoft Defender will show you if any threats were found and removed.

Summary

What you learned:

• Microsoft Defender Antivirus protects your PC from viruses and malware all the time.
• The offline scan is a powerful way to find and remove hard-to-get viruses by scanning before Windows fully starts.
• Following these simple steps helps you keep your Windows 11 PC safe and clean.

If you have questions or want to share your experience, please leave a comment below!