Protect Yourself Better From Malware In Windows 10 With Limited Periodic Scanning Feature

The Windows 10 Preview Build 14352 is the Santa of builds, bringing more than 20 bug fixes. This build offers Cortana, Ink and Feedback Hub improvements, as well as better protection from malware thanks to the Limited Periodic Scanning feature.

In Windows 10, Windows Defender is automatically disabled once a third-party antivirus program is installed. In order to better protect users against malware attacks, Microsoft now allows you to perform automatic scans with Windows Defender even if a third-party antivirus is running on your PC. In this manner, any malware undetected by the third-party antivirus software can now be removed.

This does not mean that Windows Defender will remain active, the two programs will run at the same time for a short period of time, only when users scan their computers. This is a double-layer protection for your system.

Scanning will be performed only when you are not using your computer, so that there is no impact on your system. Microsoft surely wants to avoid embarrassing episodes such as the one when a Windows 10 upgrade pop-up interrupted a live TV broadcast.

Limited Periodic Scanning is a new security setting you can choose to turn on if you use an antivirus program other than Windows Defender. This setting can provide an additional line of defense in scanning and detecting malware on your device. To enable this – go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Defender and turn “Limited Periodic Scanning” on.

The scan results will be available in Windows Defender, and notifications will be visible in the notification system and in the Action Center.

Microsoft also explains that each month, its Malicious Software Removal Tool detects malware on 1 to 2 million devices, even on computers running other antivirus software. The Redmond giant is committed to protecting its users against malware attacks and wants Windows 10 to remain the company’s most secure OS. The new security feature will be officially rolled out to all users this summer:

If you want to read more about this security feature, go to Microsoft’s blog.

Windows 10 is the most secure operating system Microsoft has ever shipped, and we continue to make it better with regular security updates and new features. […] Starting with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer […] Windows 10 will include a new security setting called Limited Periodic Scanning.