Considering the above, you can initialize the Windows Defender scanning process manually after every few days. If you are busy enough and keep forgetting important things such as scanning the PC for virus/malware, you can configure Windows Defender to automatically initialize the system scan at a scheduled time.
Windows 8/Windows 8.1 has a built-in Task Scheduler program using which you can schedule the Windows Defender system scam process that can be initialized regularly and periodically.
Here’s how you can use the built-in Task Schedule application to schedule Windows Defender automatic system scan:
- Log on to Windows 8/ Windows 8.1 using administrator account account.
- On the Start screen press windows + R keys to open the Run command box.
- In the Run command box, type TASKSCHD.MSC in the field and press Enter.
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- From the Task Scheduler window, in the left pane, double-click Task Scheduler Library.
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- Under Task Scheduler Library, go to Microsoft > Windows > Windows Defender.
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- Expand the Windows Defender container.
- In the middle pane double-click Windows Defender Schedule Scan from the displayed options.
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- From the opened Windows Defender Scheduled Scan Properties (Local Computer) window, go to the Triggers tab.
- In the Triggers tab from the bottom-left corner, click New.

10. On the New Trigger window, click to select and set the schedule for the action you want to perform, i.e. Daily, Weekly, Monthly or One time.
11. Check the Enabled checkbox from the bottom of the interface.

12. Click OK when done.
13. Back on the previous box, go to the Action tab.
14. Click Edit from the bottom of the interface.

15. In the Edit Action window, make sure that the Program/Script text field and Add arguments text field is filled with appropriate commands.

16. Click OK to continue.
17. Back on the previous box, go to the Conditions tab.
18. Under the Power section, check the Start the task only if the computer is on AC power checkbox.
19. Finally click OK when done to let Windows 8/Windows 8.1 initialize the Windows Defender scan at the scheduled time automatically.

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