How to Run a Full System Scan on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Running a full system scan on Windows 11 is pretty much like giving your PC a good ol’ health check-up. You open up the Windows Security app, click around to the “Virus & threat protection” section, and then hunt for “Scan options.” When you select “Full scan” and hit “Scan now,” your PC gets a thorough tidy-up—checking all the nooks and crannies for any nasties. Not gonna lie, it can take a fair while, especially if you’ve got heaps of files, so a bit of patience is the go here. Sometimes it feels like it’s never gonna finish, but in the end, peace of mind makes it all worth the wait.

Note: On some setups, this process might weirdly stall on the first go, then run smoothly after a quick reboot. Probably just Windows being itself. So if it seems stuck, give it a restart and try again.

Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

Method 1: Using Windows Security GUI

Open Windows Security: Click the Start button, type Windows Security in the search bar, and hit Enter.
Go to Virus & threat protection: Once the app opens, find and select Virus & threat protection from the left menu.
Click on Scan options: In the section labelled “Current threats,” find and tap Scan options.
Select Full scan: Among the options, choose Full scan. It’s the most thorough— covers everything.
Start scanning: Hit Scan now. Sit back and let it do its thing. Expect it to take quite a while—maybe over an hour if your drive’s pretty chockers—and don’t use your PC too much while it runs.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (A bit more advanced, but can be quicker)

Open Command Prompt as admin: Press Windows key + R, type cmd, then hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run as admin. Confirm any prompts.
Run a full scan with Windows Defender CLI: type mpcmdrun -Scan -ScanType 2 and press Enter.
This starts a complete malware check on your system. It runs in the background, so no fuss. You can check progress in the Security app or Event Viewer if you like.

Why bother with this? Using the command line can sometimes dodge UI glitches, especially on slower systems or after updates. Plus, it’s dead easy once you get the hang of the commands. Good for when the GUI’s a bit iffy or you want a quick scriptable way to run scans.

When should you use these methods:

You reckon your PC might be dodgy but don’t want to bother with third-party tools.
The system feels sluggish, or you’re getting weird pop-ups or crashes.
For regular maintenance—set up scheduled scans in Windows Security so you don’t have to think about it too much.

You’ll get a notification if threats are found, and then you can choose to quarantine or delete them. Sometimes it flags files as false positives, so don’t panic if you recognise a few. Double-check before binning anything.

If it still doesn’t work, the scan might be stuck because of corrupted system files or software conflicts. Booting into Safe Mode can help, or resetting Windows Security settings. For more stubborn issues, run commands like SFC /scannow or DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in PowerShell—they might do the trick.

Hopefully, this gets your machine running tip-top. Good luck keeping things clean!

Tips for Running a Full System Scan on Windows 11

Make sure your device’s plugged in if you’re on a laptop—no one wants it to run out of juice mid-scan.
Close any apps you don’t need—especially if they’re heavy on resources. Your PC will thank you.
Schedule regular scans in Windows Security’s Virus & threat protection settings. Automate it so you don’t forget later.
Check for updates first—there’s a toggle in the same app, usually under Check for updates.
If malware keeps popping up, consider booting into Safe Mode (Shift + Restart then pick “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart”, then select Safe Mode). It’s better for those tricky infections.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a full system scan take on Windows 11?

Depends on how much stuff’s on your PC and how fast your drive is. Usually between 30 minutes and a couple of hours. SSDs are quick as, while old-school HDDs can take the Mickey.

Can I use my PC while the scan’s running?

Sure, but it’s not the best if you’re after a thorough clean. Your machine will slow down, and the scan might take longer. Best to run it overnight or when you’re not using it.

Do I need third-party antivirus on Windows 11?

Not really—Windows Security does a decent job out of the box. But if you want extra features or layered protection, a third-party option isn’t a bad shout.

What if it spots something?

Follow the prompts—quarantine or delete. Sometimes it’s a false positive, so double-check any files you’re not sure about. Better to be safe than sorry.

Can I schedule scans automatically?

Yep, just head to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Scheduled scans (or similar) and set how often you want.

Summary

Open Windows Security.
Head to Virus & threat protection.
Pick Scan options.
Choose Full scan.
Hit Start & wait. Easy as!

Hopefully, that gets your machine shipshape in no time. Good luck, mate!