How to Schedule Windows Defender Scans in Windows 10

This article describes scheduling a Windows Defender Antivirus scan in Windows 10.

Windows Defender Antivirus scans your computer regularly to protect your device from viruses and malware. The scan takes place while your computer is not being used or idle so as not to interfere with your work.

You can use the steps below if you want Windows Defender to scan at a specific time. Then, when scheduled, Windows Defender will always run and scan at your chosen time and frequency.

Scheduling a Windows Defender Antivirus scan is useful because it allows you to choose the time and frequency for the scan. By setting up a schedule, you can ensure that the scan runs when your computer is not being used or idle so it doesn’t interfere with your work.

This way, you can be sure that your computer is always being checked for viruses and malware without any extra effort.

Schedule Windows Defender Scan

To schedule the Windows Defender Antivirus program to scan your computer only at the time and frequency you choose, click Start => then search for Schedule tasks.

Select Schedule tasks from the results listed on the menu.

When Schedule Tasks opens, in the left pane, expand Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows, and then scroll down and double-click (or press) the Windows Defender folder.

Double-click (or press twice) Windows Defender Scheduled Scan in the top center pane.

This should open the task properties. In the Windows Defender Scheduled Scan Properties (Local Computer) window, select the Triggers tab, go to the bottom of the window, and then tap or click New.

On the task setting pane, specify how often you want the scans to run and when you’d like them to start. This should always run at the exact time you define here.

But your computer must be powered on and running for this to work.

If your computer is shutdown, this task will fail to run

The trigger above runs daily at midnight and stops the task if it runs for more than 2 hours. You can configure more advanced settings, such as repeating every 1, 4, or 8 hours.

That’s it!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully scheduled the Windows Defender Antivirus task.