Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Developer and APISchedule antivirus scans using PowerShell
In brief
The documentation now states that after two missed scheduled quick scans, a catch-up scan runs when the device powers on or resumes from sleep or hibernation, rather than when someone signs in.
What Defender admins need to know
No administrator action is stated. Update expectations for when missed scans may run.
Summaries are generated from the documentation change itself.
Documentation change
View on Microsoft LearnThe comparison below shows only the changed extract. Use the full-page view for complete context.
Schedule antivirus scans using PowerShell
DisableCatchupQuickScan: Specifies whether to disable catch-up scans for missed scheduled quick scans. Valid values are:
- $true: Windows Defender doesn't run catch-up scans for missed scheduled quick scans. This value is the default.
- $false: After two missed scheduled quick scans, Windows Defender runs a catch-up scan the next time
someone signs in tothecomputer.device powers on or resumes from sleep or hibernation.
EnableFullScanOnBatteryPower: Specifies whether to enable full scans while on battery power. Valid values are:
- $true: Windows Defender does full scans while on battery power.
- $true: Windows Defender does full scans while on battery power.
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ ms.service: defender-endpoint ms.localizationpriority: medium author: chrisda ms.author: chrisda-ms.custom: nextgen, msecd-doc-authoring-1016-ms.date: 07/02/2026+ms.custom: nextgen, msecd-doc-authoring-1015+ms.date: 08/21/2026 ms.reviewer: pauhijbr, ksarens ms.subservice: ngp ms.topic: how-to@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ appliesto: - Microsoft Defender Antivirus ai-usage: ai-assisted+#customer intent: As a security administrator, I want to schedule Microsoft Defender Antivirus scans with PowerShell so that Windows devices receive scans at the intended times. --- # Schedule antivirus scans using PowerShell @@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ The following **Set-MpPreference** parameters are also available for scheduled s - _DisableCatchupQuickScan_: Specifies whether to disable catch-up scans for missed scheduled quick scans. Valid values are: - $true: Windows Defender doesn't run catch-up scans for missed scheduled quick scans. This value is the default.- - $false: After two missed scheduled quick scans, Windows Defender runs a catch-up scan the next time someone signs in to the computer.+ - $false: After two missed scheduled quick scans, Windows Defender runs a catch-up scan the next time the device powers on or resumes from sleep or hibernation. - _EnableFullScanOnBatteryPower_: Specifies whether to enable full scans while on battery power. Valid values are: - $true: Windows Defender does full scans while on battery power.@@ -174,4 +175,3 @@ Scheduled full scans to complete remediation use the following parameters: > - [Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Linux](microsoft-defender-endpoint-linux.md) > - [Configure Defender for Endpoint on Android features](android-configure.md) > - [Configure Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on iOS features](ios-configure-features.md)-