- Compatible with:
- Windows,
- macOS
- Available in:
- Desktop Security version 5
If you think that malicious files may be hiding in a specific folder or location on your device, consider running a Custom scan. This scan type allows you to choose exactly what and where to scan. If you want a comprehensive scan of your entire device, we recommend running a Threat scan instead. Depending on your customizations, the scan may take a while to complete. For more information on the scan types available to you, see Scan types in Desktop Security.
Run a Custom scan
Create and run a Custom scan if you want to choose where Desktop Security scans on your system and what folders and items should be searched.
To run a Custom scan on a Windows device:
- Open the app.
- On the Scanner tile, click the three dots
, then click Advanced Scan.
- In the pop-up screen, click Configure the scan.
- On the Configure Custom Scan page, click the arrow in the file finder to show the drop-down, then click the checkbox for the folders you want to scan.
- Choose how PUPs and PUMs are treated if detected. We recommend always treating detections as malware.
- Once configured, click Start Custom Scan.
- The scan will begin automatically.
To run a Custom scan on a macOS device:
- Open the app
- On the main dashboard, click on the Scanner tile.
Note: Do not click the Scan button, as this will start a Threat scan. - In the Scan tab, click Advanced scans.
- In the pop-up window, click on the Custom Scan tile.
- In the Finder window, select the folder, application, or directory you want to scan.
- Click Open.
- The scan will begin automatically.
Schedule a Custom scan
We recommend running a scan weekly or whenever you download a new application. This keeps your computer running smoothly and protects your device. The feature to schedule scans is only available on the paid version of the app.
To schedule a Custom scan on a Windows device:
- Open the app.
- Under Security, click the Scanner tile.
- On the Scanner page, click the Scan Scheduler tab.
- Click Schedule a scan.
- On the Schedule a scan page, choose Custom Scan.
- On the Configure Custom Scan page, click the arrow in the file finder to show the drop-down, then click the checkbox for the folders you want to scan. Or, click Next to skip this step to have the app scan your entire device.
- Choose how PUPs are treated if detected. We recommend always treating detections as malware.
- Click Next.
- On the Schedule a Scan page, schedule the Start date, Start time, and Frequency.
- Under Advanced options, keep Quarantine all threats on.
- Select Restart computer to remove threats. The Quarantine all threats setting needs to be enabled for this setting to be turned on.
- Keep Use Smart Scan on.
- Click Save.
To schedule a Custom scan on a macOS device:
- Open the app.
- Click on the Scanner card on the main dashboard.
- Click on the Scheduled scans tab.
- Click Schedule a new scan.
- On the Schedule a scan page, choose Custom scan.
- Configure the scan name, start date, start time, and frequency.
- Click Select folder(s) to open your Finder and search for the folders you want to scan.
Note: If you see a pop up requesting access to your documents, click OK. - Under Advanced options, keep Quarantine threats automatically on.
- Keep Ignore PUPs (Potentially unwanted programs) unchecked and off.
- When finished, click Save.