Windows 10: Windows Defender Running Background Scans Everyday

I'm trying to prevent Windows Defender from running a background scan everyday. The main reason is that it causes the fan on my laptop to run at full throttle for over an hour until the scan completes, but at the same time, a daily scan is overkill, especially with real time protection turned since it scans files on arrival.I have tried changing numinous settings in order to disable the background scan, but Windows Defender insists that it needs to perform one everyday. Here's what I've tried...Disabled/Removed the Windows Defender scheduled scan entry in Task Scheduler. Still runs a backgroun

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How do I get Windows Defender to run a daily scan?

Hi Bill,

To run the Windows Defender automatically, we suggest that you follow the steps on this link:

Schedule a scan in Windows Defender.

Regards.

 

defender scans

Hi Ian,

Thanks for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

This issue might occur if you have set any task scheduler for Windows Defender.

I suggest you to delete the task for Windows defender and check if it helps.

Follow the below steps:

• 
  Search and open Schedule tasks.
  
• 
  In the left-hand menu, open the Task Scheduler Library, then select
  Microsoft >Windows >Windows Defender.
  
• 
  Double-click Windows Defender Scheduled Scan.
  
• 
  Select the Triggers panel, then select Delete.
  

Hope it helps, reply to us with the status of your issue. We will be happy to assist you.

 

How do I stop Windows Defender running unwanted scan?

Hi Greg,

thanks for your comprehensive reply. I'll be honest, I'm not even sure if it's actually Windows Defender that starts hogging my PC randomly after idle periods, but I just presumed it was because it's the only change I've made recently. On one occasion, I
did open up the Windows Defender UI and there was no scan running, but I thought maybe it was doing something in the background. I'll try the steps you suggest anyway.

Thanks