Windows Defender periodic scan adds an additional layer of security to your computer. This guide shows you how to enable periodic scans in Windows Defender on Windows 11.
While Windows 11 has its own built-in antivirus software, many of us, if not the majority, opt for third-party solutions for additional features, creature comforts, and added protection. Nevertheless, even with third-party antivirus software in place, enabling Windows Defender periodic scanning can offer an added level of security and may even find and remove threats missed by your primary antivirus software. For instance, I use Bitdefender as my primary antivirus software. However, I’ve enabled Windows Defender periodic scanning.
If you are wondering, enabling periodic scanning will not interfere with your third-party antivirus software and only scans your system for threats occasionally.
So, without further ado, use the steps below to set up Windows Defender periodic scanning on Windows 11.
How to enable Windows Defender periodic scanning
To enable periodic scanning in Windows 11, use the steps below:
- Press the Start key on your keyboard.
- Search and open “Windows Security.”
- Navigate to the “Virus & threat protection” page.
- Click/tap on the “Microsoft Defender Antivirus options” option.
- Turn on the “Periodic Scanning” option.
Let’s see these steps in detail:
You can set up periodic scanning using the Windows Security app in Windows 11. To start off, press the Start key on your keyboard to open the Start menu. After that, start typing “Windows Security” and click on the top/relevant result. This will open the Windows Security app where you can manage all the Windows Defender settings.

Once the Windows Security app opens, go to the “Virus & threat protection” page. Here, click on the “Microsoft Defender Antivirus options” option to expand it.
After that, turn on the “Periodic Scanning” option in the expanded menu.

That’s it. Periodic scanning is now enabled and Windows Defender will scan your computer occasionally even when using third-party antivirus software.
How to disable Windows Defender periodic scanning
To disable periodic scanning, follow the below steps:
- Open the Windows Security app.
- Go to the “Virus & threat protection” page.
- Scroll down and click on the “Microsoft Defender Antivirus options” option.
- Turn off the “Periodic Scanning” option.
- With that, Windows Defender periodic scanning is disabled.

That’s all it is that simple to enable, disable, and set up periodic scanning in Windows 11.
Related Windows security how-to guides:
- How to block .zip and .mov domains in Windows
- How to check if BitLocker is enabled in Windows 11
- How to disable UAC in Windows 10 & 11
- How to bypass Windows 11 TPM check
- How to enable ransomware protection in Windows 10 & 11
- How to disable side channel mitigation
- How to block a website using Windows Firewall
- How to enable Windows Defender sandbox
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- How to enable or disable core isolation memory integrity
- How to prevent user access to drivers in Windows
- How to hide specific Control Panel options
- How to disable driver signature enforcement
- How to disable SMB2 and SMB3 in Windows
- How to prevent users from opening a specific application
- How to prevent users from installing new software
- How to scan running processes in Windows
- How to exclude a file or folder in Windows Defender
- How to restrict user access to specific folders
- How to force Windows Defender to scan ZIP, RAR, and CAB archive files
I hope this simple Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.