How to Add “Scan with Windows Defender” to the Context Menu in Windows 8
Windows Defender replaces Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows 8,
but it does not include the ability to quickly right-click folders and
scan them. However, you can add this option yourself with a quick
registry hack.
This trick adds a “Scan with Windows Defender” option to the context
menu that appears when you right-click a folder. It works similarly to
the “Scan with Microsoft Security Essentials” option on previous
versions of Windows.
Unfortunately, there is no command that launches Windows Defender in
graphical mode and initiates a scan, so we will have to launch Windows
Defender in a Command Prompt window.
Add the Context Menu Entry Manually
Press the Windows key to access the Start screen, type regedit at the
Start screen, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell
Right-click the shell key in the left pane, point to New, and create a
new Key. Name it WindowsDefender.
With the WindowsDefender key selected in the left pane, right-click in
the right pane and create a new String value. Name it Icon, then
double-click it and enter the following value:
%ProgramFiles%\\Windows Defender\\EppManifest.dll
Right-click in the right pane again and create another new String
value. Name it MUIVerb, then double-click it and enter the
following value:
Scan with Windows Defender
Right-click the WindowsDefender key in the left pane, point to new,
and create a new key. Name it Command.
Double-click the (Default) value in the right pane with the Command
key selected and give it the following value:
“C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe” -scan -scantype 3
-SignatureUpdate -file %1
When you use the option, you will see the scan happen in a Command
Prompt window. You will only be alerted if a problem is found. If the
scan is very quick, you will see a Command Prompt window appear and
disappear quickly. If a problem is found, the window will alert you
instead of closing.
Best Answer
Found the answer myself (more details here). Basically, it's as simple as setting the Group Policy called
Monitor file and program activity on your computer
to Disabled.For users of Windows editions without gpedit.msc, a DWORD entry called
DisableOnAccessProtection
must be created underHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection
and set to 1.The name of this registry entry tells you exactly what "Monitor file and program activity" actually do: It scans files "On Access" (such as when Windows Explorer lists the contents of a directory). Nothing more.