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Configure monitoring for incoming and outgoing file and program activity: registry value RealtimeScanDirectionComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection

Policy ID
RealtimeProtection_RealtimeScanDirection
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 › Real-time Protection

Registry

RealtimeScanDirection

-Computer
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection Current key

RealtimeScanDirection

REG_DWORDComputer
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection Current key
Enabled value
Depends on the option value
Element
Configure monitoring for incoming and outgoing file and program activity
Options
ItemStored value
bi-directional (full on-access)0
scan only incoming (disable on-open)1
scan only outgoing (disable on-close)2
Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell
.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection]

; Options (use only one)
; bi-directional (full on-access)
"RealtimeScanDirection"=dword:00000000
; scan only incoming (disable on-open)
"RealtimeScanDirection"=dword:00000001
; scan only outgoing (disable on-close)
"RealtimeScanDirection"=dword:00000002
CMD
:: Options (use only one)

:: bi-directional (full on-access)
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "RealtimeScanDirection" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
:: scan only incoming (disable on-open)
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "RealtimeScanDirection" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: scan only outgoing (disable on-close)
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "RealtimeScanDirection" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
PowerShell
# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# bi-directional (full on-access)
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection' -Name 'RealtimeScanDirection' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null
# scan only incoming (disable on-open)
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection' -Name 'RealtimeScanDirection' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# scan only outgoing (disable on-close)
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection' -Name 'RealtimeScanDirection' -PropertyType DWord -Value 2 -Force | Out-Null