Windows Defender Automatic Scan

Question

Hello,

I am trying to get my Windows Defender to run automatically, the way that other security software that I have had did on other computers.  I have Windows 8.  I found the following instructions below on this topic and my  “Startup Type” is set to “Automatic” but “Service Status” is set to “Running” not "Start".

What should I do next, please?  Thank you

Perform the following troubleshooting methods:

Method 1:

Follow these steps and then check how it works.

a.       Press “Windows key + R” from the keyboard.

b.      Type “services.msc” without quotes and hit enter.

c.       Search for “Windows Defender” service from the list.

d.      Right click on it and select “Properties”.

e.      Make sure the “Startup Type” is set to “Automatic”.

f.        “Service Status” is set to “Start”.

g.       Click “Apply” and then “Ok”.

<Moved>

Answer 1

The Windows Defender Scheduled Scan (Quick Scan) is set to run every day at 3 AM by default. The run is triggered externally by Automatic Maintenance (the Regular Maintenance scheduled task) which coordinates the various components of the maintenance package, and the run can be confirmed by opening Windows Defender and looking at the “Last scan” data on the Home tab. Unlike the MSE scheduled scan, there’s no need to reschedule Automatic Maintenance for a time when the PC will be in use (or to leave your PC powered up 24/7), because Automatic Maintenance will run when you power up the PC in the morning if the default scheduled time is missed. Also, Automatic Maintenance (the Regular Maintenance scheduled task) only runs in idle-time – so there’s no problem with it degrading your system’s responsiveness, and no need to reschedule it for that reason. Nevertheless, you do have the option to reschedule Automatic Maintenance if you want it to run at a different time:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_8-performance/windows-defender-windows-8-schedule-option-missing/b6603c6a-cba9-4ba7-a894-37f895fc6c92?page=2

Automatic Maintenance doesn’t provide an option to change the scheduled scan type to a Full Scan; and it’s generally agreed that an occasional manual Full Scan should suffice for most people. However, a scheduled Full Scan can still be implemented with the Create Basic Task Wizard; if that’s something that you want to do:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/mse-protect\_start/running-mse-full-scan-as-a-scheduled-task/f627f5ce-0b74-4b1d-be64-d6ceeb4d9b02

GreginMich

Answer 2

You may not be powering down the PC, but it may be going into a low power state -- Sleep. If it is sleeping at the time for your scheduled scan, it will not wake to run.

-steve

Answer 3

Hi GreginMich,

Thank you for your response.  It is possible that this may be an issue so let me say this, I generally do not shut down my computer on a daily basis, so I do not know if this effects the outcome at all.

What happens is that on the Home page of the Windows Defender pop up page, at the bottom, where it says scan details, periodically I get a message that says (essentially) "Your scan has not run since xx/xx/xx and that date could be as long as two weeks or so.

I just ran a full scan last night.  I am going to see what happens tonight and see if it does a follow up Quick scan this evening.  I will report back and let you know, but the problem is that I get these messages telling me that the scan has not run for a long time.  The normally green page pops up as a yellow warning page telling me that it would be a good idea to run a scan.  Thanks.

Answer 4

Hi PrashantKumar96,

Thank you for responding.  I followed your instructions, and MsMpEng.exe is running.  In fact, I get a message in green every night at about 3am that it is running.  However, it does not scan automatically.   It never scans automatically.  I have to hit the full scan button on the "Your computer is being protected" pop up screen that shows up every night.

What I do not understand is why there is no function that allows me (as far as I know) to set the process to scan my PC for viruses, etc. once a week, or once a day, or otherwise.

That's my goal.  Thank you

Answer 5

How you determined Windows Defender is not starting automatically?

Service Status set to Running says service is already running. Startup Type should be and is set to Automatic so no problem there. Right click on taskbar and click on Task Manager, go to 'Details' tab and see if 'MsMpEng.exe' process is in the list or not.