Windows 10 includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, but the operating system reached the end of standard support in October 2025. A malware scan can still be useful on a legacy PC, though it does not make the unsupported operating system safe for long-term Internet use.
Steps
- Open Windows Security.
- Choose Virus & threat protection.
- Check which antivirus provider is currently active.
- Choose Quick scan for a routine check.
- For a broader check, open Scan options and choose Full scan.
- If persistent malware is suspected, use Microsoft Defender Offline scan when available and appropriate.
- Review Protection history after the scan and investigate detections before restoring quarantined files.
Do not run multiple real-time antivirus products
Competing security suites can conflict and reduce stability. Windows Security shows the registered provider when a compatible third-party antivirus is installed.
A clean scan is not absolute proof
New malware, browser abuse, stolen credentials, malicious extensions, or persistence outside the scanner’s detection can still exist. Investigate the symptoms that prompted the scan.
Offline scanning can help with persistence
Defender Offline restarts the computer and scans outside the normal Windows session, which can make some deeply embedded threats easier to detect.
Plan to replace Windows 10
Security definitions cannot compensate for an operating system that no longer receives normal security maintenance. Move routine browsing, email, and sensitive accounts to a supported platform.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.