Running Microsoft Anti-Virus

Description

Learn how to run Microsoft Anti-Virus (Defender), a comprehensive virus and malware protection program for Windows and Mac computers.

Environment

PC, Mac

Solution

Windows

1. Open the Start menu and type Windows Security. 

2. Select the Windows Security app icon that pops up.

3. In the sidebar, select Virus & Threat Protection.

4. Under the Virus & Threat Protection screen, select Scan Options.

5. In the Scan Options menu, you will see a list of four different types of scans you can perform on your computer using Microsoft Anti-Virus Defender.

   1. Quick Scan: Scans folders in your system where threats are usually found, such as the Downloads and Windows folders. This usually only takes a few minutes to complete.

   2. Full Scan: This scans every file on your computer and all running programs as well. The scan may take longer than an hour to complete.

   3. Custom Scan: If you choose this option, Windows Security will ask you for a specific file or folder location that you’d like to scan.

   4. Microsoft Defender Offline Scan: This option restarts your machine and scans system files and programs while they are not running, which is useful if a piece of malware is currently running and potentially interfering with the scan.

6. Choose which scan you'd like to run and select Scan Now.

7. A scan will begin, and Windows Security will show a progress indicator bar.

8. When the scan is complete, you’ll see the results. If the scan did not detect any threats, you’ll see a message that says No Current Threats.

9. If the scan found some malware, you will see a message that says, Threats Found and a list of the infected files below.

10. To remove the threats, select the Start Actions button.

11. After selecting Start Actions, Microsoft Anti-Virus Defender will remove the threats automatically.

Mac

1.  In your toolbar, right-click on the icon that looks like a shield.

2. The Microsoft Defender ATP application will open.

3. Select the Quick Scan button to initiate a quick scan.

4. If there are no threats found, a message will appear that says No Threats Found.

5. To conduct a full scan, select the Scan Options button.

6. Then, select Full Scan.

7. Select Scan Now.

8. A scan will begin, and Defender Security will show a progress indicator bar.

9. When the scan is complete, you’ll see the results. If the scan did not detect any threats, you’ll see a message that says No Current Threats.

10. If the scan found some malware, you will see a message that says, Threats Found and a list of the infected files below.

11. To remove the threats, select the Start Actions button.

12. After selecting Start Actions, Microsoft Anti-Virus Defender will remove the threats automatically.

Outcome: You should now be able to scan your device for potential threats.

Get help from OIT

• Visit the Microsoft Anti-Virus page to create a ticket