How to scan mapped network drives using Windows Defender

This tip is about the how to scan mapped network drives using Windows Defender. So read this free guide, How to scan mapped network drives using Windows Defender step by step. If you have query related to same article you may contact us.

How to scan mapped network drives using Windows Defender – Guide

By default, Windows Defender does not scan you for viruses or malware during scheduled scans if you have set up mapped network drives in Windows 10. In this article, we will walk you through the whole procedure of scanning mapped network drives with Windows Defender in Windows 10. To scan mapped network drives with Windows Defender in Windows 10, follow a of these steps – step-by-step procedures.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus protects your computer from malware (malicious software), such as viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software. Malware can infect your PC without your knowledge: it can install itself via an email message when you connect to the Internet or when you install certain applications using a USB flash drive, CD, DVD or other removable media. Some malware can also be programmed to run at unexpected times, not just when it is installed.

You can set a Run a full scan on mapped network drives group policy that lets you manage whether Microsoft Defender scans the contents of mapped network drives when you run a full scan for malicious software and unwanted software. Mapped network drives can always be scanned during a quick scan and a custom scan. This tutorial will show you how to Enable or disable Microsoft Defender to include mapped network drives during a full scan in Windows 10.

Scan mapped network drives with Windows Defender

Via the Group Policy Editor

Press Windows key + R. In the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc, press Enter to launch the Group Policy Editor. In the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following location:

This policy setting allows you to configure scanning of mapped network drives.

In the right pane of Scan in the Local Group Policy Editor window, double-click Run full scan on mapped network drives policy to edit its properties. To include mapped network drives during a full scan, select the radio button to On. Otherwise, select the radio button to Not Configured or Disabled and click Apply > OK to exclude Mapped Network Drives during a full scan.

Via Registry Editor

Press Windows key + R. In the Run dialog, type regedit, press Enter, click Yes at the UAC prompt to launch Registry Editor.

Navigate to the following registry key:

If you don’t have the verification key, create it by right-clicking Windows Defender and clicking New > Key.

Now double click on this newly created value to edit its properties.

Restart your PC.

Using PowerShell

Open Windows PowerShell (Admin). In the PowerShell environment, type or copy and paste one of the following commands and press Enter:

To enable scanning of network drives:

To disable scanning for network drives:

Set-MpPreference -DisableScanningMappedNetworkDrivesForFullScan 1

A reboot is not required here. The setting is applied instantly.

Final note

I hope you like the guide How to scan mapped network drives using Windows Defender. In case if you have any query regards this article you may ask us. Also, please share your love by sharing this article with your friends.