Use Windows Defender with Command Prompt on Windows 10

Windows Defender is a free antivirus software that Microsoft has created to combat malware on computers. This security software is integrated on Windows 10 and Windows 8.1. Windows Defender will find and remove viruses, spyware (spyware), rootkits and bootkits and some other malicious code on your computer.

In the following article, Network Administrator will guide you how to use Windows Defender with Command Prompt on Windows 10.

1. Manipulate Windows Defender with Command Prompt

The following commands use MSASCui.exe to allow you to update or run different scan modes of Windows Defender.

First press Windows + I key combination to open Power User Menu, then click Command Prompt (Admin).

To activate the next update, enter the following command into the Command Prompt window and press Enter:

"% ProgramFiles% Windows DefenderMSASCui.exe" -UpdateAndQuickScan

Use Windows Defender with Command Prompt on Windows 10 Picture 1

To download and install updates (update) of Windows Defender, enter the command below and press Enter:

"% ProgramFiles% Windows DefenderMSASCui.exe" -Update

To use Windows Defender to scan the system quickly, enter the command below and press Enter:

"% ProgramFiles% Windows DefenderMSASCui.exe" --QuickScan

To scan the entire system , enter the following command into the Command Prompt window and press Enter:

"% ProgramFiles% Windows DefenderMSASCui.exe" -FullScan

Also you can -hide at the end of each command to prevent Windows Defender from opening.

For example: "C: Program FilesWindows DefenderMSASCui.exe" -UpdateAndQuickScan -hide.

2. Use Windows Defender to run in the background with Command Prompt

Windows Defender also integrates the utility MpCmdRun.exe, you can use to automatically run or run Windows Defender " silently " without having to launch the Desktop Client.

First press Windows + I key combination to open Power User Menu, then click Command Prompt (Admin).

To activate the update, enter the following command into the Command Prompt window and press Enter:

"% ProgramFiles% Windows DefenderMpCmdRun.exe" -SignatureUpdate

To use Windows Defender to scan the system quickly, enter the command below and press Enter:

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

Use Windows Defender with Command Prompt on Windows 10 Picture 2

To scan the entire system, enter the following command into the Command Prompt window and press Enter:

"% ProgramFiles% Windows DefenderMpCmdRun.exe" -Scan -ScanType 3

To customize scanning a file or a folder instead of scanning the entire system, enter the following command and press Enter:

"% ProgramFiles% Windows DefenderMpCmdRun.exe" -Scan -ScanType 3 -File PATH-TO-FILE-OR-FOLDER

Suppose to scan all files and directories in the Public folder, use the following command:

"% ProgramFiles% Windows DefenderMpCmdRun.exe" -Scan -ScanType 3 -File C: UsersPublic

In addition, you can scan and remove malicious code that attacks the boot sector using the command:

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

Refer to some of the following articles:

Here's how to completely disable Windows Defender on Windows 10, 7 and Windows Vista

Windows Defender is disabled or inactive, this is a fix

The cause of the error cannot open Windows Defender on Widows 7/8/10 and how to fix it

Good luck!

Samuel Daniel

Update 26 May 2019

You should read it

May be interested

The best setup guide for Cortana on Windows 10 (Part 1)
one of the new features integrated on windows 10 is cortana virtual assistant. cortana is displayed right on the taskbar and users can use this virtual assistant to ask questions or issue control commands, cortana will answer questions or follow your voice commands.
The best setup guide for Cortana on Windows 10 (The last part)
the feature to send notifications between devices is one of the completely new features integrated on the windows 10 anniversary update version. this feature allows users to synchronize notifications on mobile devices with computers.
Instructions on how to change the alarm when Logoff, Logon and shutdown on Windows 10
on previous versions of windows 10, users can easily change the alarm when booting, locking the device and turning off the computer on their windows computer. however, for some reason, microsoft has removed the ability to customize the start-up tone and lock on windows 10. however, you can 'bring back' this function on wndows 10 with just a few steps. here.
Summary of some ways to fix Windows 10 crash, BSOD error and restart error
there are many causes that your windows 10 computer crashes, crashes or even reboots itself such as hardware errors, software errors, system failure or due to programs, anti-software virus on your computer .... during use, if unfortunately your windows 10 computer hangs, freezes ... will make you feel very uncomfortable and work efficiency will be reduced due to interruption.
Unusually high CPU error correction due to TiWorker.exe on Windows 10 / 8.1 / 8
tiworker.exe (windows module installer worker) is a process related to the windows update service. this is an important process on the windows update service and programs that start with the computer. usually tiworker.exe runs in the background while the system checks for new updates and releases system resources.
Open multiple folders at once on Windows 10 with just one shortcut
have you ever thought about quickly accessing all your favorite folders at once? this is possible. with just one shortcut, you can open multiple folders at once on your windows 10 computer. please refer to the steps in the following article of network administrator.