Run a Windows Defender Scan

1. Choose Start➪All Programs➪Windows Defender.

2. In the resulting Windows Defender window, click the down-arrow on the Scan button. In the resulting menu, choose one of three options:

• Quick Scan: This runs a scan of the likeliest spots on your computer where spyware might lurk. In many cases, this quicker scanning process finds most, if not all, problems and is good choice for a daily automatic scan.

• Full Scan: This scan checks every single file and folder on your computer and gives any currently running programs the once-over. However, be aware that a Full Scan can cause your computer to run a little more slowly while it runs.

• Custom Scan: This scan allows you to customize where to scan. This is helpful if you suspect that a particular drive or folder is harboring a problem.

3. If you choose Quick Scan or Full Scan, the scan begins immediately. If you choose Custom Scan, you can click the Select button in the Select Scan Options dialog box that appears. Then, in the Select Drives and Folders to Scan dialog box, select drives, files, and folders to scan. Click OK. Back in the Select Scan Options dialog box, click Scan Now.

The History button in Windows Defender gives you a review of the activities and actions taken by Windows Defender. In that window you can also view your settings for Microsoft SpyNet. By default you have joined with a basic membership that reports actions to remove spyware. An advanced membership alerts you when new threats are detected. Allowing reports on spyware activity can help Microsoft prevent or stop such threats, however, if you don’t want to report issues with your computer and spyware to Microsoft, you can choose not to join Microsoft SpyNet.