Setting up Windows Defender

New laptops are generally loaded with a trial version of a commercial anti-virus. If you do not plan to purchase it, you can use Windows built-in anti-virus software, “Windows Defender”. Unlike earlier version, Windows Defender doesn't come with a easy scheduler. You need to use Task Scheduler.

Open up Task Scheduler (Control Panel/Administrative Tools)

Open Task Scheduler Library/Microsoft/Windows. Scroll down to find “Windows Defender”. Right Click on “Windows Defender Scheduled Scan” and export it to a temporary folder. (I prefer to work on copies, just in case something goes wrong and I need to refer to the original configuration”.)

Make 3 copies and call them “Daily Scan”, “Weekly Scan” and “Daily Update”. Click on Import Task and import all three files.

These tasks will now be listed as shown below (Trigger will be blank, since we have not set it up.

Double click on “Daily Scan”. This will open properties dialog box. Click on the trigger tab.

Click New and set up a time, when the laptop would be least used. I have set mine to 1:30 AM.

Select on “Action” tab and than click on “Edit” button.

In Add Arguments, add “scan -scantype 1”. This sets up a daily quick scan of the system.

Now modify “Weekly Scan”. In trigger, select once in a week and in the “Action” tab/Add Arguments, add “scan -scantype 2”. This sets up a full scan once in a week.

Finally modify “Daily Update”. In trigger, select daily and in Action/Add Arguments, add “SignatureUpdate”. This would ensure the signatures are updated on a daily basis. Make sure your updates precede scans by at least 30 minutes.

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