Using Symantec/Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition, how do I immediately scan a file, folder, or drive for viruses?
Note: The University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends that you run the latest version of Symantec/Norton AntiVirus software (available to IU students, faculty, and staff for free via IUware) for your operating system, being sure to upgrade safely (see In Windows, how do I safely upgrade to the latest Symantec Endpoint or AntiVirus software?) and to update your virus definitions daily and scan your computer weekly. For instructions, see:
- Windows: In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus for Windows, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?
- Mac OS and OS X: In Symantec AntiVirus for Mac OS X, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?
The documents above tell you how to set your Symantec/Norton AntiVirus software to automatically scan your computer for viruses. However, you can run a scan at any time by following the instructions below. Be sure to update your virus definitions first (see For Symantec virus protection software, what are my options for updating the virus definitions?), so your computer will be protected from the latest known viruses.
Windows
Note: For best results, run security software scans in Safe Mode. If you don't scan in Safe Mode, the software may not be able to detect or remove each security threat it finds. For more information about Safe Mode and how to enter it, see In Windows, how can I boot into Safe Mode?
To scan a specific file, right-click the file and select Scan
for viruses... .
To scan a folder, drive or mapped network drive on your computer, follow the appropriate instructions below:
Symantec Endpoint
Note: This will only scan local drives. To scan
mapped network drives you must navigate to that drive, then right-click it,
and then select Scan for Viruses... .
- Open Endpoint by double-clicking the
Endpointicon located in the Windows system tray.
- Click
Scan for threatsand select the type of scan you wish to perform. AnActive Scanwill scan only the most commonly infected areas and will take only a few minutes. AFull Scanwill scan the entire computer and will take anywhere between 30 and 120 minutes.
- When the scan is complete, close the program. If you ran Endpoint in Safe Mode, restart your computer to return to normal startup mode.
Symantec Antivirus and Norton Antivirus
- From the
Startmenu, selectProgramsorAll Programs, thenSymantec Client SecurityorSymantec/Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition, and thenSymantec AntiVirus ClientorSymantec/Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition.Alternatively, in the system tray portion of the Taskbar (typically on the lower right of your screen), right-click the
Symantec/Norton AntiVirusicon (which looks like a shield) and selectOpen Symantec/Norton AntiVirus.... - In the resulting window, in the left panel, expand the
Scanmenu and select the scan you wish to perform. If you chooseCustom Scan, on the right you will see further options for your selection. From this panel, you can:
- Select the drive letters you want to scan (e.g.,
C:). - Check the open box next to
My Computerto scan all drives at once. - Click the
+(plus sign) next to an item to expand its contents. - Click
Options...to further customize a scan.
- Select the drive letters you want to scan (e.g.,
- Once you've made your selections and configured any options, click
Scan.
- When the scan is complete, close the program. If you ran Symantec/Norton AntiVirus in Safe Mode, restart your computer to return to normal startup mode.
Mac OS X
Symantec AntiVirus 10
- Open Symantec AntiVirus by going to the
Applicationsfolder, then theSymantec Solutionsfolder, and thenSymantec AntiVirus.
- In the
Symantec AntiViruswindow, clickScan....
- Navigate to the file, folder or volume you want to scan and click
Select.
Symantec AntiVirus will display the results of the scan. If a virus
was found, click Repair to attempt a repair of the file, or
Delete to delete the file. Click Close when
finished.
Last modified on June 01, 2009.







