How To Run an Antivirus Scan to Check for Malware

Running regular antivirus scans is a solid way to defend your system and keep it free from vicious malware. If you want to protect your data, you should know how to run an antivirus scan. If you don’t already have an antivirus, check out our guide for the best antivirus software for some recommendations to get you started.

The time it takes to run a scan will depend on the software you use and whether you choose to run a quick scan or a full scan. Let’s look at how you can keep those security threats at bay in this guide on how to run an antivirus scan.

How to run an antivirus scan

Below, we will cover how to run an antivirus scan on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices so that you’re prepared to stop malware no matter which system you have. Full scans can take several hours to complete and might slow your device, so plan to start them when you can log off for the night.

Windows

If you use Windows 10 or 11, you’ll have Windows Security included for antivirus protection. Windows Security comes with a free antivirus called Microsoft Defender.

To run a quick scan using Windows Security

1. Go to the Windows icon and choose Settings.
2. Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
3. Under Current Threats, choose Quick Scan.
4. If you’re using an early version of Windows 10, you may need to select Threat History.
5. Click Scan Now.

To run a full scan using Windows Security

1. Go to the Windows icon and choose Settings.
2. Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
3. Under Current Threats, select Scan Options.
4. If you’re using an early version of Windows 10, you may need to select Threat History and choose Run a New Advanced Scan.
5. Select your scan preference (Full scan, Custom scan, or Microsoft Defender Offline scan).
6. Click Scan Now.

Microsoft Defender Offline scan will restart your device and run a deep scan before Windows loads to catch the stealthier malware.

If you want to use your own antivirus on Windows, there are plenty of solid options on the market. Download the software and follow its internal directions to start a quick or full scan.

Mac

Mac devices don't have built-in antivirus software, so you must use a third party. You can find a free antivirus program or opt for a paid plan. 

The exact steps for starting a scan will vary based on the software, but the general directions are the same:

1. Install antivirus software.
2. Open the antivirus app on your Mac and select the scan option you want to use.
3. Once the scan is finished, remove any threats the software finds.

Many Apple fans will tell you that using an antivirus on a Mac device is useless. That is not always the case, as malware can still be distributed by an app that seems harmless at first glance. We recommend installing and running an antivirus program for the best protection on your Mac.

Android device

You need five general steps to run an antivirus scan on Android devices. The steps may be slightly different depending on your software, but the principles are similar.

1. Download and install the antivirus program you want to use. Different antivirus apps are available in the Google Play store.
2. Set up your antivirus software.
3. Check that your new app is up to date before running a virus scan. Using the latest version will help catch the most recent malware.
4. Run the virus scan and let it finish.
5. Remove any malware the antivirus software finds.

iOS

iPhone users may be the only ones who don’t need a full antivirus program. Since security is so regulated on iOS, it would be nearly impossible for an antivirus app to scan the entire device for malware anyway.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do, though. You can take a few steps if you suspect your iOS has been affected by malware.

• Update your iOS if needed.
• Restart your device. Sometimes, that will fix the issue.
• From your Settings, clear your history and website data.
• Check your installed apps and remove anything you don’t recognize or that seems suspicious.

If you still have malware problems after following the steps above, try restoring your iPhone to a previous backup by following these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Select Restore from iCloud Backup.

What antivirus scans do

When you run antivirus scans, the software looks for malware that can cause problems on your device. Antivirus programs check for threats that meet specific criteria according to the software database.

Antivirus scans look for anything suspicious that could be dangerous, then remove it from your device. If you choose, most antivirus software can quarantine a suspicious file for your review, and then you can decide to delete it or keep it. In most cases, it’s recommended to remove the threat from your device to be on the safe side.

Types of antivirus scans

As we mentioned, you can run different types of antivirus scans. When you’re in a hurry, you may want to use the quick scan feature. That will check the areas where the usual virus suspects like to hide, such as startup folders and registry keys. A quick scan will provide you with sufficient malware protection in most cases.

Scheduled scans are often quick scans too. These scans will check for malware regularly, at the timeframe you choose. You can modify the schedule to fit your needs and change it when necessary. Scheduled scans are good to keep your device running smoothly during times when you may forget to run an antivirus scan.

A full scan checks all the same places a quick scan does and then goes further into your device. It will look into network drives, removable drives, and all other drives and folders on your device. The full scan searches for malicious software that hackers may attempt to hide in places a quick scan won’t check. A full scan will take longer to run, so use this feature when you want to check your entire device for the most complete threat protection.

What to look for in an antivirus software

Since you’re protecting your data, you want the best antivirus software. You need an antivirus that protects you against all kinds of malware. We prefer antivirus software that passes third-party security tests and offers a suite of security features, like a firewall, VPN, or identity protection. You need to look for all that at a price you can afford.

Be sure to check the ratings of your antivirus software and know which features work with your device. For instance, TotalAV is an excellent choice for budget-conscious users but doesn’t offer a firewall or unlimited device coverage. Know which features are important for your family and pick the software with those security enhancements.

Best antivirus software for malware detection

We recommend the following software based on our in-house testing and established third-party antivirus tests. Our top-tested recs also provide advanced security features like a VPN, ad blocker, parental controls, identity theft protection, and more. 

FAQs

Bottom line

Who needs antivirus software these days? The answer is that everyone needs it for data security and device protection. It’s much easier to prevent malware than to recover from intrusive spyware and possible identity theft. This is where the ounce of prevention is truly worth that pound of cure.

Since so many options are available, we’ve made it easy to find the best antivirus software, no matter your budget or device.