Using scheduled scans

When using scheduled scans, consider the following:

  • Use default settings when possible.
  • Use scheduled scans as a way of assessing threats or estimating the prevalence of unwanted or controlled applications.
  • When you do not select on-access scanning, ensure that computers use scheduled scans. Put these computers in a group and define a scheduled scan.
  • Be aware of performance issues when scheduling scans. For example, if you are scanning a server that reads and writes constantly to databases, consider when its performance will be the least affected.
  • For servers, consider the tasks that are running. If there is a backup task, do not run a scheduled scan at the same time the backup task is running.
  • Scan at set times. Ensure that a scheduled scan is performed daily on each computer, such as at 9 PM. At a minimum, scheduled scans should be performed weekly on all computers.
  • The Run scan at lower priority option allows a scheduled scan on Windows Vista and later operating systems to run at a lower priority so that it has minimal impact on user applications. This option is recommended; however, the scan will take longer to run than scans without this option.