You can scan a person file or folder in Windows 10 with built-in antivirus. Here are the steps to scan a file or folder with Windows Defender.

In Windows 10, Windows Security, previously known as the Windows Defender is your default antivirus and antimalware software. As they are, Windows Security is pretty competent and provides good protection against all sorts of malware, virus, trojan, along with other threats. Along with regular protection, Windows Security also provides real-time protection. This can help Windows Defender, actively monitor your system for just about any threats. If you're careful about how exactly you use the pc, you shouldn't need any additional free or expensive third-party antivirus software.

Though the real-time protection is pretty good, there can be instances when you have to manually scan a file or folder. Should you look at the Windows Security application, you will not find any obvious options to scan only a single file or folder. That being said, it's pretty easy to force Windows Defender to scan personal files or folder.

In this quick and simple article, allow me to demonstrate the steps to scan a file or folder with Windows Security Defender.

Scan file or folder from right-click menu

To scan a file or folder from the right-click menu, stick to the steps listed below.

1. First, find the file or folder you need to scan. The file or folder could be anywhere in your hard disk drive. With my case, the file I want to scan is on my desktop.

2. After you have the file or folder you need to scan, right-click on it. From the right-click menu, choose the "Scan with Microsoft Defender" option.

3. Once you choose the option, Windows Defender will open itself and scan the file or folder.

Depending on the file or folder size, it will take serious amounts of complete. If the file is particularly small, the scan is going to be completed almost instantly.

Once the scan is finished, you will see the scan report right underneath the Scan Options section. Take a look at the look below for reference. With my case, Windows Defender found zero threats.

Scan file or folder from Windows Security app

If you cannot find the right-click choice to scan file or folder, it can be done directly from the Windows Security app using the Custom Scan functionality. Here's how.

1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key in your keyboard. Now, type "Windows Security" and press Enter. You can also click on the search result to spread out the app.

2. Within the Windows Security app, click the "Virus & threat protection" option. You can also click the sidebar tab with the same name.

3. Around the right-hand side of the page, click the "Scan Options" link. This is where you find the additional scanning options.

4. Since we want to scan a particular file or folder, choose the "Custom scan" radio option. Next, click on the "Scan now" button.

5. Now, choose the file or folder you want to scan and click on the "Select folder" button at the bottom from the window.

Defender will now scan the selected file or folder. Once completed, it will show the outcomes. Depending on the folder or file size, the scan can take some time to complete. In my case, you will find zero threats founds. When Windows Defender finds any virus or malware infection, it will show the threat signature and appropriate options to deal with it.