How to Run an Offline Virus Scan with Microsoft Defender

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 How to Run an Offline Virus Scan with Microsoft Defender

Some advanced malware, like rootkits or trojans, can hide very deeply within the Windows operating system. They can even prevent standard antivirus software from functioning properly. To remove these stubborn threats, you can use Microsoft Defender Offline. This tool runs in a trusted environment before Windows even loads, allowing it to detect and clean threats that try to hide.

Here is how to run an offline scan on your Windows PC:

1. Open Windows Security:

   • Click the Start menu (Windows icon).

   • Type Windows Security in the search bar and press Enter.

2. Go to Virus & Threat Protection:

   • In the main window, click on Virus & threat protection (the shield icon).

3. Click Scan Options:

   • Below the "Quick scan" button, click on the Scan options link.

4. Select Microsoft Defender Offline:

   • Scroll down the list, select the Microsoft Defender Offline scan option.

5. Start the Scan:

   • Click the Scan now button at the bottom of the page.

6. Save Your Work & Restart:

   • A prompt will appear telling you to save any open files, as this scan will restart your computer. Click Scan to proceed.

Your computer will restart. Instead of the usual Windows login screen, you will see a black screen showing the "Microsoft Defender Offline" progress. The scan usually takes about 15 minutes. Once finished, your PC will automatically boot back into Windows normally. You can then check the "Protection history" in Windows Security to see the results.

Disclaimer: For educational and informational purposes only. Proceed at your own risk. The author is not responsible for any system errors, data loss, or hardware damage. Always back up important files before making changes to your PC.