How to change the default scan type in Microsoft Defender

While the built-in Windows Defender antivirus software automatically scans the Windows 10 system every day, if you want to specify another type of scheduled scan, you can do so. You can change the default scan type from Quick scan to Full scan with the help of this guide, through the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor.

Change the scan type to the default schedule in Microsoft Defender

Windows Security or Microsoft Defender (formerly Windows Defender) is one of the best free antivirus software for Windows 10. This tool scans every system automatically every day so that the user always has an instant user experience. circuit.

By default, Microsoft Defender performs Quick scans , because this type of scan is faster and takes less time than Full scans. However, if you want to change this type of scan because of security concerns, you can do so.

1. Change the type of scan scheduled using Registry Editor

Note : You should make a backup of the Registry file or create a system restore point before continuing.

Next, open Registry Editor on the computer (press the Win+ buttons Rtogether, enter regedit and press the button Enter). If you see the UAC prompt, you need to click the Yes button . Then navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows DefenderScan

If you can't find the Scan key in the Windows Defender key , you need to create it manually.

Right-click on Windows Defender and select New> Key and name it Scan.

How to change the default scan type in Microsoft Defender Picture 1 Right-click on Windows Defender and select New> Key and name it Scan

Next, select the Scan key , right-click on the right and select New> DWORD (32-bit) Value . Name it ScanParameters.

How to change the default scan type in Microsoft Defender Picture 2 Create the ScanParameters key

Now, you need to double click on the DWORD ScanParameters value and set the value to 1 or 2 .

1. 1 represents Quick scan (fast scan)
2. 2 represents Full scan (system-wide scan)

By default, Microsoft Defender performs a quick scan. You need to set the value to 2 for Microsoft Defender to perform a full system scan.

2. Specify the type of Windows Defender scan using the Local Group Policy Editor

If the system comes with the Local Group Policy Editor, you can easily change the type of scan scheduled. To get started, you first need to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Search on gpedit.msc in the Taskbar search box and click on the result. After opening this widget, navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration> Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus > Scan

Here, you will find a policy setting named Specify the scan type to use for a scheduled scan .

How to change the default scan type in Microsoft Defender Picture 3 Find the policy setting named Specify the scan type to use for a scheduled scan

You need to double click on it to make changes.

Select the Enabled option and select Full system scan from the drop-down list.

How to change the default scan type in Microsoft Defender Picture 4 Select Full system scan from the drop-down list

Now, click the Apply button > OK to save changes.

You should know about some policies that can help you customize the scheduled scan. You will find all of these policies in one place. They are:

1. Specify the day of the week to run a scheduled scan : It helps you to select a date when you want to run an automatic scan.
2. Specify the time for a daily quick scan : It allows the user to select a specific time when he / she works so that the scan is complete without a problem.
3. Specify the time of day to run a scheduled scan : You can change the default time for daily quick scans.