Set PC To Scan After The Installation Of Antivirus
Updated on October 21, 2022, by Xcitium
Should You Scan Your PC After Installing Antivirus?
Yes. Running a full PC scan immediately after installing antivirus software is one of the most important security steps. A post-installation scan checks your computer for existing viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware, trojans, rootkits, and other threats that may already be present before real-time protection was enabled. Detecting and removing these threats early helps ensure your antivirus starts protecting a clean system.
Most often, ordinary computer users install an antivirus and forget to set PC to scan the whole computer. It is important to set PC to scan the whole computer to make sure that all files inside the system are properly scanned and no strains of viruses and malware can hide on the computer.
When you set PC to scan, you will be guaranteed that your system is protected from malware, viruses, and other types of threats. That is the main benefit when you scan computers. You can not just rely on the real-time protection of every antivirus system, you must take an extra step to make sure that you set PC to scan.
Set PC To Scan After The Installation Of Antivirus: Different Types Of Scanning
Smart Scan
If you set PC to scan using the smart scan, it will make a comprehensive scan on the system when you scan computers. It will detect malware, outdated software, browser add-ons with poor reputations, network issues and threats, performance issues, and password that are weak, duplicated or compromised.
Full Virus Scan
Another type of scanning to do when you set PC to scan is the full virus scan. This is a predefined type of scanning. It is also an in-depth scan of your whole system that will check your total storage drives and memory for malware, viruses, and other forms of threats. This is also a great way to scan computers.
Targeted Scan
One of the uncommon ways to set PC to scan is the targeted scan. This is a type of scanning procedure that will scan the folders you select only when you initiate the scan process. This is also a good way to scan computers but not always recommended to do.
Boot-Time Scan
A different type of scanning process when you set PC to scan is the boot-time scan. With this type of scanning, it will scan your computer during the next system startup before any malware or virus is launched. Scanning during startup improves the chances of detecting and removing malware before it can counteract. This is the benefit if you set PC to scan using boot-time scan.
Custom Scan
Last option you may have when you set PC to scan is the custom scan. When you scan computers using this process, it will scan your computer according to the parameters that you specified for your scan. This is not that recommended type of scanning when you want to scan computers because you might miss some parts on the system that may contain malware or viruses.
How to Set a PC Scan After Installing Antivirus
Follow these steps after installing antivirus software:
- Update the antivirus to download the latest threat definitions.
- Enable real-time protection.
- Select Full System Scan.
- Allow the scan to complete without interruption.
- Review the scan report carefully.
- Quarantine or remove detected threats.
- Restart the computer if prompted.
- Configure automatic daily or weekly scans.
- Enable automatic software updates.
- Run periodic verification scans to ensure continued protection.
These steps establish a strong security baseline for your computer.
Set PC To Scan After The Installation Of Antivirus: What Happen If You Scan Computers
System Slows Down
You will know that your PC is infected with a malware and virus if it slows down. If you are not able to set PC to scan and scan computers in the affected network, the operating system and the software applications might slow down. The internet speed might also be affected and you’ll observe that it is also slowing down. If it happened to your computer and you know that you didn’t load heavy applications, you are surely infected with malware.
Frequent System Crash
Sometimes a good sign that a computer is infected with a malware is when the system suddenly crashes for some unknown reason. If you weren’t able to set PC to scan and scan computers in the affected network, this could happen frequently and may cause a more serious problem in the future.
Annoying Pop-ups
It is common to observe pop-ups on your computer every time you are browsing the internet. But these pop-ups can be annoying and may lead you into trouble when not properly managed. When you set PC to scan and scan computers in the affected network, you can avoid being infected by this malware on your computer.
Hard Drive Errors
Another serious effect that may happen to your PC if it is infected with a malware is the damage of your hard drive. If you are not familiar with how to set PC to scan and scan computers in the affected network, the hard disk might run actively high and it could be very busy. This happens even though you are loading heavy resource applications. When the hard drive is too busy, your computer processing might take a long time to run.
Full Storage Space
If your storage space is prompting a message that it is full and needs to free some space, it might already be infected with a malware. When this thing happens to your computer and you don’t know how to set PC to scan and scan computers in the affected network, it could lead to a more serious problem in the future.
Disabled Antivirus
One of the most alarming signs of a malware infection is when your antivirus or any security software has been disabled. You might also notice that you won’t be able to update the virus definitions or you can not perform a full system scan. If this happens and you don’t know how to set PC to scan and scan computers in the affected network, you might be engaging with a more serious problem. Your regular backup will only be your rescue here if all fails and needs to re-install everything starting from the operating system up to the applications
Full Scan vs Quick Scan vs Custom Scan
Antivirus Scan Comparison
| Scan Type | Best For | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Full Scan | Initial setup, suspected infections, monthly maintenance | Entire system, including files, memory, registry, startup items, and applications |
| Quick Scan | Daily or frequent security checks | Common malware locations and active processes |
| Custom Scan | Downloads, USB drives, or specific folders | User-selected files and storage locations |
| Offline Scan | Rootkits and persistent malware | Runs before the operating system starts |
A full scan is the recommended choice immediately after installing antivirus software.
What Does the Initial Antivirus Scan Check?
A comprehensive post-installation scan typically analyzes:
- Operating system files
- Installed applications
- Running processes
- System memory
- Startup programs
- Windows Registry
- Browser extensions
- Temporary folders
- Download directories
- Email attachments
- USB devices
- External storage
Scanning these locations helps identify hidden or inactive threats before they cause damage.
Recommended Scan Schedule
Suggested Antivirus Scan Schedule
| Scan Type | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
| Quick Scan | Daily |
| Full System Scan | Weekly or monthly |
| Custom Scan | Before opening downloaded files or removable media |
| Offline Scan | When advanced or persistent malware is suspected |
Adjust the schedule based on how frequently the computer is used and the organization’s security requirements.
Best Practices After Installing Antivirus
After installing antivirus software:
✔ Update virus definitions immediately.
✔ Enable automatic updates.
✔ Turn on real-time protection.
✔ Configure scheduled scans.
✔ Enable your firewall.
✔ Remove outdated security software.
✔ Back up important files regularly.
✔ Keep the operating system updated.
✔ Use strong passwords and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) where available.
✔ Avoid downloading software from untrusted sources.
These steps improve long-term protection against malware and ransomware.
Common Threats Detected During the First Scan
A modern antivirus solution can identify:
- Viruses
- Ransomware
- Trojans
- Worms
- Spyware
- Adware
- Rootkits
- Keyloggers
- Fileless malware
- Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs)
Behavioral analysis and cloud-based threat intelligence improve detection of both known and emerging threats.
Frequently Asked Questions About PC Scans After Antivirus Installation
Should I scan my computer immediately after installing antivirus?
Yes. A full system scan helps detect and remove malware that may already exist on your computer before the antivirus was installed.
Why is a full scan recommended after installation?
A full scan examines the entire system, including files, memory, startup items, registry entries, and applications, providing the most comprehensive security assessment.
How often should I schedule antivirus scans?
A quick scan can be performed daily, while a full system scan is typically recommended weekly or monthly. Additional scans may be appropriate after downloading files or connecting external storage.
What should I do if malware is detected?
Quarantine or remove the detected threats, restart the computer if prompted, install pending updates, and run another full scan to verify that the system is clean.
Can antivirus protect my computer without scheduled scans?
Real-time protection helps block many threats, but scheduled scans are still important because they can detect dormant malware, configuration issues, and newly identified threats that may not have been detected previously.
Is one antivirus scan enough?
No. Continuous protection requires automatic updates, scheduled scans, real-time monitoring, and safe browsing habits.
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