Privacy and Security Add or Remove "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu in Windows 11


Windows_Security_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the "Scan with Microsoft Defender" context menu your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is an antivirus software that is included in Windows 11 and can help protect your device from viruses, malware, and other threats.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus regularly scans your device to help keep it safe. It tries to do this while you are not using your device so it doesn’t interfere with your work.

Real-time protection consists of always-on scanning with file and process behavior monitoring and heuristics. When real-time protection is on, Microsoft Defender Antivirus detects malware and potentially unwanted software that attempts to install itself or run on your device, and prompts you to take action on malware detections.

Sometimes you may need to manually scan with Microsoft Defender Antivirus. You can use the "Scan with Microsoft Defender" context menu when you right click on selected file(s), folder(s), and/or drive(s).


Contents

  • Option One: Add or Remove "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu for Current User
  • Option Two: Add or Remove "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu for All Users


EXAMPLE: "Scan with Microsoft Defender" context menu

In Windows 11, you will need to click/tap on Show more options first by default, then click/tap on Scan with Microsoft Defender.


Show_more_options.png
Scan_with_Microsoft_Defender_context_menu.png





Option One

Add or Remove "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu for Current User


1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 Add "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu for Current User

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_Scan_with_Microsoft_Defender_context_menu_for_current_user..reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}"=-

3 Remove "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu for Current User

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_Scan_with_Microsoft_Defender_context_menu_for_current_user..reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}"="Scan with Microsoft Defender"

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Two

Add or Remove "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu for All Users


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.


 2. Add "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu for All Users

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_Scan_with_Microsoft_Defender_context_menu_for_all_users..reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}"=-

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP]
@="{09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP]
@="{09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\EPP]
@="{09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}"


 3. Remove "Scan with Microsoft Defender" Context Menu for All Users

This will override Option One.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_Scan_with_Microsoft_Defender_context_menu_for_all_users..reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{09A47860-11B0-4DA5-AFA5-26D86198A780}"="Scan with Microsoft Defender"

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

Last edited:
Hi Brink, I had this working in Win 10. It is not now working in win 11 I get 'Your IT administrator has limited access to some areas of the app and the item you tried is not available. Contact IT Helpdesk for more information', but this is my personal PC, and I am using an admin account. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the registry change but still get the same message. I have shut down file explorer and restarted the PC but still get the same message. I am using Bitdefender and have Defender 'periodic scanning' turned on. In the past I was able to scan using Defender from context even though I had another virus checker installed. Can you help?
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2024-11-29 122457.webp
    Screenshot 2024-11-29 122457.webp
    8.2 KB · Views: 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi Brink, I had this working in Win 10. It is not now working in win 11 I get 'Your IT administrator has limited access to some areas of the app and the item you tried is not available. Contact IT Helpdesk for more information', but this is my personal PC, and I am using an admin account. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the registry change but still get the same message. I have shut down file explorer and restarted the PC but still get the same message. I am using Bitdefender and have Defender 'periodic scanning' turned on. In the past I was able to scan using Defender from context even though I had another virus checker installed. Can you help?
Hello David, and welcome. :alien:

Normally when you use the "Scan with Microsoft Defender" context menu item, it'll open the "Scan options" page in Windows Security to see the scan results.

This may be caused by having Bitdefender registered with Windows Security which replaces Microsoft Defender as the default AV app.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
to anyone else who uses this: do you also have to rerun it every time your PC restarts for it to work? none of the other context menu regedits have this issue for me
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ABS
    CPU
    i5 14400F
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B660M-A AC DDR4
    Memory
    TeamGroup Delta RGB 32GB DDR5 6000 MHz (2x16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super
to anyone else who uses this: do you also have to rerun it every time your PC restarts for it to work? none of the other context menu regedits have this issue for me

Hello, :alien:

Are you trying to add or remove the context menu?

Do you have any 3rd party AV programs installed and registered with Windows Security?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ABS
    CPU
    i5 14400F
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B660M-A AC DDR4
    Memory
    TeamGroup Delta RGB 32GB DDR5 6000 MHz (2x16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super
trying to remove it

no, windows defender is all i've got

I've updated the tutorial to use new options that should work for you now without having to reapply after a restart.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I've updated the tutorial to use new options that should work for you now without having to reapply after a restart.
works great. cheers
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ABS
    CPU
    i5 14400F
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime B660M-A AC DDR4
    Memory
    TeamGroup Delta RGB 32GB DDR5 6000 MHz (2x16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

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