Beyond the Basics of Windows Defender – Auto Scan and Real-Time Protection


Microsoft Windows Defender is a free program that has Real-Time Protection for your computer.

This program protects your computer from slow performance, pop-ups, any security threats from spyware or other unwanted programs. You can download it from Microsoft’s Download Center here: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware

Once you have it on your system, you can let it run on its default settings, which are good enough, or you can tweak it a little by making a few changes.

Windows Defender Auto Scan

This program can be set up to automatically scan your computer to find possible new threat. It can be set to look for spyware on your system at certain times, day or night.

Microsoft recommends that you have your Windows Defender set up to perform a daily quick scan. This type of scan will check places on your system where spyware and other threats are usually found. Windows Defender can also be set to do a full scan that checks all programs and files on your computer. It is a good idea to do a full scan when you first install it. This process will slow down your computers performance so do it when you are not using the computer, if possible. You can select to have spyware and other possible unwanted software automatically removed during a scan to enhance the security of your system.

Scan Scheduling in Windows Defender

You must be logged on as a member of the Administrators group or as an Administrator to complete the following steps:

• Open Windows Defender program by clicking on “Start”.

• Point to “All Programs” with mouse.

• Click on “Windows Defender”.

• Once open, click on “Tools”

• Click on “Options”.

• Under “Automatic scanning”, make sure the “Automatically scan my computer (recommended)” has a check mark then,

Select from the drop down arrow the “Frequency” desired – daily or you can pick a specific day of the week.

Select from the drop down arrow the “Approximate time” – default is 2:00 AM, this can be changed to any hour you want.

Select from the drop down box the “Type” of scan you want – either (Quick scan) or (Full scan).

• Be sure the “Check for updated definitions before scanning”, and “Apply default actions to items detected during a scan” are both checked also.

• Under “Default actions”, decide what action you want Windows Defender to perform to each type of alert – “High alert items”, “Medium alert items’, and “Low alert items”. If you are not sure what to set them at, leave the default settings.

• When all changes have been made click “Save” on the bottom right or you can select “Cancel” at any time to not make any changes to settings.


Real-Time Protection in Windows Defender

To prevent any unwanted software and spyware from getting into your computer, turn on Real-Time Protection in Windows Defender. You must be logged on as a member of the Administrators group or as an Administrator to complete the following steps:

• Open Windows Defender program by clicking on “Start”.

• Point to “All Programs” with mouse.

• Click on “Windows Defender”.

• Once open, click on “Tools”

• Click on “Options”.

• Scroll down until you see “Real-time protection options”; select the “Use real-time protection (recommended)” check box.

• Check the box of any of the options you want. It is recommended that you check all real-time protection options for ultimate protection of your privacy and system.

• Under “Choose if Windows Defender should notify you about:” select any of the options you want.

• Under “Choose when the Windows Defender icon appears in the notification area:” select your choice.

• When all changes have been made click “Save” on the bottom right or you can select “Cancel” at any time to not make any changes to settings.


When you are finished with making all the necessary changes to your settings close the program. You will not need to make any other changes unless you want to. Windows Defender will update and scan when scheduled, in the background. You wont even know you have it on your system unless there is a threat that needs your attention. Once set up, this program can automatically provide your system with Real-time protection.

Also see Microsoft Spyware Protection