Run a Startup Scan

Startup Scan increases security when you start your computer.

Startup Scan is an advanced feature that scans for known types of malware and removes threats before the operating system and other services boot up. It ensures better protection by running all the necessary components that are required for computer protection when you restart your computer. This allows your Norton product to scan files before they are used by another program or the operating system.

Important: This scan is not run automatically or on a regular basis. If you suspect your PC contains malware, you can manually set up the scan to run the next time your computer starts. We recommend running the Startup Scan only when you suspect a threat in your PC.

Configure Startup Scan

1. Open your Norton device security product.

2. On the left pane, click Security.

3. In the Security dashboard, in the Scans tile, click Open.

4. In the Preset scans tab, next to Startup Scan, click the settings icon.

5. In the Startup Scan settings window, configure the settings as per your need:

   General

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   • Notify me about potentially unwanted programs: Turn on this option if you want Startup Scan to look for programs that got downloaded along with other programs and typically perform unwanted activity.

   Areas of your computer to scan

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   • Select All hard disks or System drive to specify which data space you want the scan to analyze.

   • Turn on Auto start programs to include the startup programs in the scan.

   Perform automatic actions during this scan

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   Select an action your Norton product must perform for detected threats. Your Norton product applies the action you specify for any detected threat.

   Important: Use caution when configuring a Startup Scan to take automatic actions. If a critical system file is incorrectly identified as malware, your Norton product may delete or quarantine the file. This may happen due to an unknown false positive issue.

   • Fix automatically (Recommended): Your Norton product attempts to repair the file. If unsuccessful, it moves the file to Quarantine. If neither action succeeds, the file is deleted.

   • Move to Quarantine: Your Norton product sends the file to Quarantine, where it cannot harm your system.

   • Delete: Your Norton product permanently removes the file from your computer.

   • Do nothing (resolve manually): You can act on the detected threats after your computer restarts.

   Installers and archives

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   Select one of the following options:

   • Scan all archives: Select this option if you want Norton to scan the contents of all compressed files. This may increase the scan time.

   • Don't scan archives: Select this option if you do not want Norton to scan compressed files.

6. Click Save.

7. In the Preset Scans tab, next to Startup Scan, click Set Up.

8. Wait for the Startup Scan to complete the setup, and then click Restart Now or Restart Later.

9. When the system restarts, the Startup Scan progress screen appears. The scan may take several minutes, depending on the speed of your computer and the number of files being scanned. To skip the scan, press the Esc key on your keyboard.

Need more help?

• Review recent security or other events with Security History

• Act on quarantined risks or threats

• Learn more about Norton Scans

• Keep your Norton device security up to date