How to Create Custom Scans with Avast Antivirus on Windows

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Avast Antivirus is a widely used security software that protects your computer from viruses, malware, and other online threats. One of the powerful features of Avast Antivirus is the ability to create custom scans. Custom scans allow you to focus on specific areas of your computer or customize scan settings according to your preferences. In this detailed guide, we will discuss how to create a custom scan using Avast Antivirus on a Windows system. This guide intends to be a complete walkthrough, explaining each step in simple English.

What is a custom scan?

Custom scan in Avast Antivirus is a user-defined scan that lets you choose specific settings and areas on your computer to check for threats. It offers more control than the standard quick or full system scan. For example, you can choose to scan only your downloads folder or external drives. You can also decide the sensitivity and specific settings such as scan priority, action upon detection, and more.

Getting started with Avast Antivirus

Before creating a custom scan, make sure you have Avast Antivirus installed on your Windows system and updated to the latest version. If you haven't installed it yet, download the installer from the official Avast website and follow the installation instructions.

Steps to create a custom scan

1. Open Avast Antivirus: Click the Avast icon located on your desktop or in the system tray in the lower-right corner of the screen. This will launch the Avast interface.
2. Access the Protection menu: On the main interface, look for the "Protection" option on the left sidebar and click on it. This will display the various security tools offered by Avast.
3. Select Scan: Click "Scan" from the menu. This section shows all available scanning options, including quick scans, full virus scans, and boot-time scans.
4. Create a new custom scan: Scroll down the list to find "Custom Scan" or alternatively, look for an option that says "Custom Scan" or "Create New Scan." Click on it. This will allow you to begin setting up a new scan that suits your needs.

Configuring your custom scan

After you select to create a new custom scan, you'll see several settings you can adjust. Here's how to configure each setting:

1. Name your scan

First, give a name to your custom scan. Make sure it is descriptive enough so that you can easily identify it later. For example, if this scan specifically targets the 'Downloads' folder, you can name it "Downloads Scan".

2. Select the scan area

Choose the areas of your computer you want to scan. You can choose specific folders, drives, or file types. This is useful when you want the scan to focus on certain parts of your computer, such as the folder where you store downloaded files or an external USB drive. To do this:

• Click on the option that allows you to select folders or drives.
• Browse your directories and select the ones you want to include in the scan.
• You can also input file extensions to scan specific types of files.

3. Configure scan sensitivity

Determine the thoroughness of the scan. Higher sensitivity increases the chance of detecting threats, but may lead to longer scan times and more false positives. Adjust the sensitivity to your needs by using the slider or selecting an option such as low, medium, or high.

4. Scan priority

You can set the processing priority of the scan. Choosing a high priority will make the scan run faster but may impact your computer's performance during the scan. On the other hand, a low priority will cause the scan to interfere less with other tasks, although it may take longer to complete.

5. Action taken upon detection

Specify what action Avast should take if a threat is detected during a scan. Options may include:

• Delete automatically
• Move to quarantine
• Ask for action

Selecting "Ask for action" means you'll be asked to decide what to do if a threat is detected, giving you more control over the process.

6. Schedule a scan

You can set your custom scan to run automatically at a specific time or on specific days. For example, you can choose to run it every week on Friday at 6:00 PM. Setting a schedule ensures that regular checks are performed and they don't have to be started manually.

Save and run your custom scan

After configuring all the desired settings, click the "Save" button to store your custom scan profile. Your custom scan is now ready for use.

To run a scan, go back to the scan options in Avast, find your saved custom scan from the list, and click on it to start the scan. You can also manage or edit the scan at any time by accessing the “Custom Scan” section again and making the necessary changes.

Why use custom scan?

Custom scans are incredibly useful for targeting specific areas or setting special scanning behaviors. Here are some scenarios where custom scans come in handy:

• Frequent downloaders: If you download files frequently, you should scan your Downloads folder regularly.
• External device users: Scanning external USB drives or other media before accessing their contents ensures added security.
• Limited time: If you don’t have time for a full system scan, performing a custom scan targeting certain risky areas can help detect the threat quickly.

Conclusion

Creating custom scans in Avast Antivirus is a straightforward process that gives you better control over your computer's security monitoring. By customizing scan settings, areas, and schedules, you can ensure that the most important parts of your system are checked regularly, and that your system remains protected from potential threats. Whether you're scanning specific folders or scheduling regular checks, custom scans are a convenient feature designed to meet a variety of security needs.

Remember that regular scanning and updating your antivirus software are important components of maintaining a safe and healthy computer environment. With the knowledge gained from this guide, you can now protect your system with precision using Avast's custom scanning capabilities.

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