How to Manually Scan for Malware in Windows 10 Malware scanning plays a key role in keeping your system safe, and knowing how to run a manual scan can make all the difference. Let's walk through how to manually scan files, folders, and drives for malware in Windows 10. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. Running Manual And Custom Scans Windows 10 includes a built-in security tool called Windows Security. To begin a manual scan: Click the shield icon in the taskbar or search for “Windows Security” from the Start menu. Then go to “Virus & threat protection” and choose the type of scan you want. A Quick Scan checks the most common malware locations. A Full Scan examines every file and program on your system. A Custom Scan lets you target specific folders or drives. To run a custom scan: Select “Scan options,” then choose “Custom scan” and pick the areas you want to check. Third Party Antivirus Software You can also use third-party antivirus software. Programs like Norton, McAfee, and Malwarebytes offer specialized detection features. To scan with one of these tools, open the antivirus application, go to the scan section, and pick a scan type. A quick scan usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. A full system scan may run several hours depending on your setup. What To Do In Scanning Before you start scanning, review your antivirus settings. Many tools allow you to manage update schedules and resource usage. Set scans to run during off-hours to reduce performance impact. Make sure virus definitions are current by enabling automatic updates. Offline scans are useful when your system shows signs of deep infection, or when traditional scans aren't finding the issue. Tools like Windows Defender Offline load before Windows starts, which helps detect hidden threats more effectively. After the scan completes, review the results. If no threats are found, your system is clear. If malware is detected, follow your antivirus software's recommended actions. This may include quarantining or deleting files, or restoring any false positives. Manual scans help verify system health and give you control over what gets checked. Use them alongside real-time protection and smart computing practices to reduce your exposure to malware threats. For more information, check out our official blog post on how to manually scan for malware in Windows 10 linked in the description below.