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How to create a Windows Security shortcut on Windows

Although Windows Security automatically scans your system, you might still want to run a manual scan sometimes. One quick way to launch Windows Security is to create a Windows Security shortcut on your computer. When needed, you can simply press the Windows Security shortcut. Below are instructions on how to create a Windows Security shortcut.

 

Create a Windows Security shortcut on Windows

Step 1:

Right-click on the screen and select New > Shortcut .

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Now, enter the following path into the shortcut key and press Next.

"%ProgramFiles%Windows DefenderMpCmdRun.exe" -Scan -ScanType 1

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Step 2:

Now enter a name for the shortcut and press Next to continue.

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Step 3:

Right-click the newly created Windows Security shortcut and select Properties .

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Next, click on Change icon to change the icon for the shortcut.

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You can now download a new icon for the Windows Security shortcut if needed.

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Create Windows Security shortcuts to scan options.

You can create a desktop shortcut to open the Windows Security and Threat Protection page. This way, you can directly select the type of scan.

You can also create a new shortcut and then paste the path below.

%windir%explorer.exe windowsdefender://threat

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Enter a name for this shortcut and then save it as usual.

Then we get a custom shortcut to scan Windows Security as shown below.

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Clicking the shortcut will take you to the Windows Security scan options page.

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Video tutorial on creating Windows Security shortcuts on Windows

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Kareem Winters
Share by Kareem Winters
Update 04 March 2026