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Kaspersky Scan: How to Start a Quick or Full Scan

Find the documented steps to run Quick and Full Scans in Kaspersky on Windows, Android and Mac, with version notes where menus differ.
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To start a scan in Kaspersky, open the app’s scan controls and choose the scan type. In the cited Windows versions, use Security > Scan > Choose scan, then select Quick Scan or Full Scan. On the cited Android version, tap Scan > Full scan. The exact labels depend on your platform, product and version; the paths below apply to the versions identified in Kaspersky’s documentation.

Choose the scan that fits what you need

A Quick Scan checks selected critical areas, while a Full Scan covers a broader set of storage and drives in the cited Windows guide. If you have just installed the Windows application, Kaspersky recommends running a Full Scan.

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Scan Documented scope Documented version
Quick Scan Objects loaded at operating-system startup, system memory and disk boot sectors. Kaspersky for Windows 21.7.
Full Scan System memory, startup-loaded objects, system backup storage, hard drives and removable drives. Kaspersky for Windows 21.16.

Run a scan on Windows

Quick Scan

  1. Open the main Kaspersky application window.
  2. In version 21.7, either select Home > Quick Scan, or go to Security > Scan > Choose scan > Quick Scan.
  3. Click Run scan.

Full Scan

  1. Open the main application window and select Security.
  2. In the Scan block, select Choose scan, then choose Full Scan.
  3. If you want a particular action when the scan finishes, select it from the available dropdown.
  4. Click Run.

The cited 21.7 guide labels its button Run scan, while the 21.16 Full Scan guide uses Run. If your installed version has different labels or navigation, consult the support instructions for that exact product and version rather than assuming these paths are universal.

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Run a scan on Android

In the documented Kaspersky Android app version 11.83, open the quick launch panel and tap Scan > Full scan. That support article was last reviewed on March 5, 2022, so the path may not match a newer app version.

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Run scans on a Mac

Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac

In the documented consumer guide for Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac 20.0, open the main application window, click Scan, then select Start Full Scan or Start Quick Scan. The guide also describes scheduling either scan and scanning a selected file, folder, internal disk or external disk. Depending on the item, these options are available through its context menu, the Dock or the Scan window. It also documents configuring what happens when an external disk is connected and viewing completed scan reports.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Mac

Endpoint Security for Mac is a separate business product. Its 12.2.1 manual describes Full Scan, Quick Scan and Custom Scan tasks launched from the Scan window. Those task names do not establish that every consumer Mac edition has the same interface.

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If the menu names do not match

  • Check which Kaspersky product and version is installed; consumer and Endpoint Security editions can have different interfaces.
  • Use the support page for that installed product and version if you cannot find the documented scan controls.
  • Do not rely on a path from an older guide as a universal current menu sequence. The documented instructions here cover Windows 21.7 and 21.16, Android 11.83, Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac 20.0, and Endpoint Security for Mac 12.2.1.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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