How to Use Windows Defender to Scan a Folder for Malware |

Windows 10 comes with a free built-in antivirus program called Windows Defender, which offers real-time protection and the ability to scan your computer.

It also allows you to perform a custom scan that allows you to specify a specific folder or drive that you want to scan for malware. Because you only need to scan one folder, the scan time will be much faster than scanning the entire device.

Below are two methods you can use to scan a specific custom folder.

Method 1: Right-click the folder and scan it

The easiest way to scan a single folder and its subfolders is to right-click the folder and select “Scan with Windows Defender” as shown below.

When you choose Scan with Windows Defender …, Windows Defender will start and scan all the files in the folder and its folders.

If it finds malware, it will alert you as shown below.

You should now click on Start actions button to quarantine the file and make it inaccessible.

When you’re done, Windows Security will give you a summary, as shown below.

You can now close Windows Security.

Method 2: Perform a custom scan using Windows Defender

Another method is to use the Windows Defender interface to perform a custom scan of the selected folder. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Find in the Start menu Windows Security and click on the result when it appears as shown below.

   

2. When Windows Security opens, click Protection against viruses and threats possibility.

   

3. When the Virus and Threat Protection screen opens, click Scanning options connection as shown below.

   

4. When the scan options screen opens, scroll down and select Custom review. Then click on Scan now to start a custom scan.

   

5. Windows Defender will now ask you which folder you want to scan. In our case, we selected drive C: to scan the entire drive C: and only that drive and all its subfolders.

   

6. Windows Defender will now scan the enter C: drive for malware. During execution, it will provide the current number of scanned files and the approximate time remaining until the end.

   

7. When completed, it will list the amount of infections detected. Click to clear infections Start actions button.

   

You can close the window after reviewing the summary.