Configure scheduled task times randomization window: registry value SchedulerRandomizationTimeComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Policy ID: SchedulerRandomizationTime
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

Registry

SchedulerRandomizationTime

-Computer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Current key

SchedulerRandomizationTime

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Specify scheduler randomization window in hours.
Value type: REG_DWORD
Minimum value: 1
Maximum value: 23

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender]

; Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data
"SchedulerRandomizationTime"=dword:<enter value>

CMD

:: Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "SchedulerRandomizationTime" /t REG_DWORD /d "<enter value>" /f

PowerShell

# Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender' -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender' -Name 'SchedulerRandomizationTime' -PropertyType DWord -Value '<enter value>' -Force | Out-Null