Title: Discover the Simple Trick to Keep Your Files Safe from Viruses - Learn How to Scan a Single File or Folder with Windows Security Now!
Introduction
With the continuous rise of viruses and malware attacks, it is essential to keep our digital files secure. Files and folders can contain sensitive information, and losing them due to a virus can be a significant loss. Fortunately, Windows 10 has an inbuilt security feature that scans single files or folders for any signs of malware or viruses. In this article, you will discover the simple trick to keep your files safe from viruses and how to scan a single file or folder with Windows Security.
Step 1: Open Windows Security
To scan your files and folders, you first need to open the Windows Security app. You can do this by searching for the app in the Start menu or by clicking on the Windows Security icon in the taskbar.
Step 2: Select the File/Folder to Scan
Once you have opened Windows Security, it’s time to select the file or folder you want to scan. You can do this by right-clicking on the file or folder and selecting the “Scan with Windows Defender” option. Alternatively, you can select the “Virus & threat protection” option on the Windows Security dashboard, followed by the “Scan options” link. From there, choose “Custom scan,” and then click the “Scan now” button.
Step 3: Wait for the Scan to Complete
Windows Security will automatically scan the file or folder you have selected for any signs of malware or viruses. The scan time may vary depending on the size of the file or folder, so be patient and wait for the scan to complete. Once the scan is complete, Windows Security will display the results of the scan, indicating whether or not any threats were found.
Step 4: Take Action Based on the Results
If Windows Security detects any threats during the scan, it will prompt you to take action. Depending on the severity of the threat, Windows Security may quarantine the infected file, delete it entirely or attempt to repair it. You should always follow Windows Security’s recommendations when it comes to dealing with infected files.
Conclusion
Protecting your digital files from malware and viruses is vital, and Windows Security makes it easy to scan individual files and folders for any signs of infection. Now that you know how to scan a single file or folder with Windows Security, you can do it regularly to ensure your important files remain safe and secure. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can leverage Windows Security to protect your digital life.
Many users believe that Windows security is not as reliable as the third-party security programs, but it’s a myth. Microsoft’s Windows Security application is pretty powerful and reliable as the third-party option. It can protect your computer from malware and viruses and provide your PC with a solid defense against rising ransomware attacks. Other than that, Windows security offers additional features such as periodic scanning, controlled folder access, tamper protection, isolated browsing, and more. One feature of Windows security that often goes unnoticed is the ability to scan a single file or folder stored on the HDD/SSD. If you suspect that a single file or a folder has a virus or malware, instead of scanning your entire system, you can force Windows Security to scan only the selected particular file/folder. Hence, if you are looking for ways to scan a single file or folder with Windows Security, you have landed on the right page.
Steps to Scan a Single File or Folder With Windows Security
This article will share a step-by-step guide on scanning a single file or folder with Windows security in Windows 11. The steps will be short; follow them as mentioned.
1) Run a Custom Scan from Windows Security App
We will use the Windows Security app to scan a single file or folder in this method. Here are some of the simple steps you need to follow.
First, click on the Windows 11 search and type in Windows Security. Next, open the Windows Security app from the list.
On the Windows Security app, click on the Virus & threat protection option below.
On the right pane, click on the Scan options link underneath the Current Threats section.
On the Scan options page, scroll down and select the Custom Scan option. Next, click on the Scan now button.
You will be asked to select the file or folder you want to scan. Select the folder you want to scan.
Note: You can’t select files. If you want to scan a particular file, you need to move the file to a folder and then select that folder on the Windows Security app. 6. Now click on the Select Folder button, and the Windows Security app will run the Scan.
That’s it! You are done. This is how you can scan a single file or folder in Windows 11 via the Windows Security app.
2) Scan a Single file or Folder via Context Menu
If you use Windows Security as the default security app on Windows 11, you can run a custom scan via the Context menu. Here’s how to scan a single file or folder via the Context menu on Windows 11.
First of all, locate the file or folder you want to scan.
Right-click on the File or folder and select Show more options.
Click on the Scan with Microsoft Defender option on the Classic context menu.
The Windows Security app will immediately scan the selected file or folder.
That’s it! You are done. This is how you can run a custom scan on Windows 11 via Windows Security app. Windows Security is a very robust security tool that every user should use. So, these are the two best ways to scan a single file or folder in Windows 11. Compared to Full Scans, the Quick scans on Windows 11 take less time to complete.
