Policy

Start the scheduled scan only when computer is on but not in use

This policy setting allows you to configure scheduled scans to start only when your computer is on but not in use. If you enable or do not configure this setting, scheduled scans will only run when the computer is on but not in use. If you disable this setting, scheduled scans will run at the scheduled time.

Policy
Pack Microsoft Windows
Category Windows Components / Microsoft Defender Antivirus / Scan
Policy ID 81ca3e692c91
Internal name Scan_ScanOnlyIfIdle

Registry

Copy registry mappings

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan\ScanOnlyIfIdle (enabled) = 1
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scan\ScanOnlyIfIdle (disabled) = 0

Policy notes

This policy setting allows you to configure scheduled scans to start only when your computer is on but not in use. If you enable or do not configure this setting, scheduled scans will only run when the computer is on but not in use. If you disable this setting, scheduled scans will run at the scheduled time.

Related policies

Allow users to pause scanCheck for the latest virus and spyware security intelligence before running a scheduled scanConfigure local setting override for maximum percentage of CPU utilizationConfigure local setting override for schedule scan dayConfigure local setting override for scheduled quick scan timeConfigure local setting override for scheduled scan timeConfigure local setting override for the scan type to use for a scheduled scan