Specify the time of day to run a scheduled scan

Policy ID
Scan_ScheduleTime
Scope
Computer Configuration
Supported on
At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
Windows Components › Microsoft Defender Antivirus › Scan

Description

This policy setting allows you to specify the time of day at which to perform a scheduled scan. The time value is represented as the number of minutes past midnight (00:00). For example, 120 (0x78) is equivalent to 02:00 AM. By default, this setting is set to a time value of 2:00 AM. The schedule is based on local time on the computer where the scan is executing.

If you enable this setting, a scheduled scan will run at the time of day specified.

If you disable or do not configure this setting, a scheduled scan will run at a default time.

Options

  • Specify the time of day to run a scheduled scan

Registry

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  • ScheduleTime-
  • ScheduleTimeREG_DWORD

Other policies in the same category

View all policies in this category (33)