Specify the scan type to use for a scheduled scan: registry value ScanParametersComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan

Policy ID: Scan_ScanParameters
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

Registry

ScanParameters

-Computer

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

ScanParameters

REG_DWORDComputer

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

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Specify the scan type to use for a scheduled scan

Options
Item	Stored value
Quick scan	1
Full system scan	2

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

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

; Options (use only one)
; Quick scan
"ScanParameters"=dword:00000001
; Full system scan
"ScanParameters"=dword:00000002

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Quick scan
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan" /v "ScanParameters" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Full system scan
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan" /v "ScanParameters" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Quick scan
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan' -Name 'ScanParameters' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Full system scan
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan' -Name 'ScanParameters' -PropertyType DWord -Value 2 -Force | Out-Null