Windows Defender Auto Scan

Repa,
We're not on the computer too much these days, so I've got a few questions, please?

In order for the Windows Defender Auto Scan to work:
1. Don't you have to be using the computer with a browser open?

2. Auto scan won't scan if the machine is turned on , but, is in sleep mode, right or wrong?

3. If computer is on w/o browser open & just on desktop, will the auto scan work?

Thanks in advance!

The computer needs to be on at the time that you specified in the Tools > Options > Automatic scanning page in Windows Defender. You don't need a browser open or be doing anything, the computer just needs to be on for the scheduled time that you set. If you are using the computer, Windows Defender will run in the background.

Thank you!

Repa wrote:

The computer needs to be on at the time that you specified in the Tools > Options > Automatic scanning page in Windows Defender. You don't need a browser open or be doing anything, the computer just needs to be on for the scheduled time that you set. If you are using the computer, Windows Defender will run in the background.

Repa, I've read your reply, & done some experimenting with the auto scan times also, but forgive me please for one more question. As I said we don't use the computer presently as often as formerly, and it appears to me that if the computer is in sleep mode & the monitor turned off I'm thinking that is probably considered as "the computer not being on"? is that correct? u know what the saying is....there's no dumb questions.....


thanks in advance!

The computer is not on in Sleep Mode. The Windows Defender Auto Scan task will not run with the computer in sleep mode.

Thank you very much! That confirms my suspicions!