Set Windows File Protection scanning: registry value SfcScanComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Windows File Protection

Policy ID: WFPScan
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000 only
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: System › Windows File Protection

Registry

SfcScan

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Windows File Protection Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Scanning frequency:

Options
Item	Stored value
Do not scan during startup	0
Scan during startup	1

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Windows File Protection]

; Options (use only one)
; Do not scan during startup
"SfcScan"=dword:00000000
; Scan during startup
"SfcScan"=dword:00000001

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Do not scan during startup
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Windows File Protection" /v "SfcScan" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
:: Scan during startup
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Windows File Protection" /v "SfcScan" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

PowerShell

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

# Options (use only one)
# Do not scan during startup
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Windows File Protection' -Name 'SfcScan' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null
# Scan during startup
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Windows File Protection' -Name 'SfcScan' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null