Head to the Windows Defender Offline download page, scroll down, and download either the 32-bit or 64-bit version depending on whether your PC is running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows. Malware can interfere with the media creation process if it’s running in the background, so if you’re concerned your current PC might be infected, use another PC to download Windows Defender Offline and create the media. Microsoft recommends creating bootable media on a known-clean computer. This works identically to the Windows Defender Offline feature on Windows 10, but requires you create the bootable media and boot it up yourself. RELATED: How Do I Know if I’m Running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?įor previous versions of Windows, you can download Windows Defender Offline, create a bootable USB drive, CD, or DVD, and boot the Windows Defender Offline tool on the PC.
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How to Run Windows Defender Offline on Windows 7 and 8.1 If no malware is found, your computer will automatically boot back into Windows once the scan is complete. The scan may take up to fifteen minutes. If any malware is found, you’ll be prompted to clean it up from within the Windows Defender Offline interface. Scroll down and click the “Scan Offline” button under Windows Defender Offline.Īfter you click this button, your computer will automatically reboot and begin scanning your PC for malware. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Defender. You won’t find this option in the Windows Defender desktop application, however.
RELATED: What's the Best Antivirus for Windows 10? (Is Windows Defender Good Enough?)Īssuming you’ve upgraded to the Anniversary Update, you can do this in one click from within Windows 10. Update: In the latest versions of Windows 10, open the “Windows Security” app, select Virus & threat protection, click “Scan options” under Current threats, and select “Microsoft Defender Offline scan” to choose an offline scan. This tool is essentially an antivirus boot disc, but integrated into Windows 10 and easier to run. (And if you’re on Windows 7 or 8.1, you can make a disc and run it yourself.) How to Run Windows Defender Offline on Windows 10