Jim Guckin

Question:

How can I make a right click option to scan a file with windows defender?

David A. Morrison
Bellerose, NY

Answers:

Just as a reminder, that Windows Defender in Windows 8 is always running, but if you still wanted to scan individual files you can do it with the steps below:

1. Press the Windows key to access the Start screen, type regedit at the Start screen, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
3. Right-click the shell key in the left pane, point to New, and create a new Key. Name it WindowsDefender.
4. With the WindowsDefender key selected in the left pane, right-click in the right pane and create a new String value. Name it Icon, then double-click it and enter the following value:%ProgramFiles%\\Windows Defender\\EppManifest.dll
5. Right-click in the right pane again and create another new String value. Name it MUIVerb, then double-click it and enter the following value:Scan with Windows Defender
6. Right-click the WindowsDefender key in the left pane, point to new, and create a new key. Name it Command.
7. Double-click the (Default) value in the right pane with the Command key selected and give it the following value:“C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe” -scan -scantype 3 -SignatureUpdate -file
   

Note:  When you set this up, the scan happen in a Command Prompt window. You will only be alerted if there is a problem found. The scan is very quick, you will see a Command Prompt window flash (appear and disappear quickly), but If a problem is found, the window will stay up and alert you instead of closing

If you don’t feel like doing on the registry editing, you can always Download this Zip.