You have recovered a USB stick or external disk containing documents or videos. Before directly accessing its content, a small check is necessary to avoid infecting your PC with malware.
A USB key is like a dirty tissue: it’s better to be wary of it. We don’t know where it has been, who may have used it before, and above all what junk it may contain. Also, when a loved one or a colleague gives you a USB key, an external disk or any other removable media on the pretext that there are documents on it that they would like to share with you, there is no rush. Do not immediately jump on the items stored there as soon as the media is inserted into your PC. For added security, a small antivirus scan is necessary. An essential step to avoid contaminating your PC with a virus, a Trojan horse or other malicious software that could be hidden there. And for greater security, you can even ask Windows to systematically carry out an analysis as soon as a USB key or any other external storage unit is connected to the PC through a USB port or a memory card reader. The good news: there is no need to install an app to carry out the operation. Microsoft Defender is there for that.
You have just inserted a USB key or plugged an external drive into your PC. Before opening any file saved on this media, carry out an antivirus scan.
► Open File Explorer and click This PC to display all storage media (internal and external) connected to the PC. Right-click on the USB flash drive name. From the menu that appears, choose Scan with Microsoft Defender.
► Immediately the Windows security tool opens. Analysis of the key contents starts. It can last several minutes if it is a large capacity medium. Wait for the analysis to take place. If a problem is detected, you will be notified immediately.
Microsoft Defender does not systematically perform an antivirus scan on external media that you connect to your PC. However, you can force it to do so using a simple key in the registry.
► Press the shortcut win + R. In the window that appears, type Regedit and validate.
► The Windows Registry Editor appears. Navigate to the following key:
OrdinateurHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender.
► Right-click in a blank area in the right window pane and choose New > Key. Name this new key Scan.
► Right-click on the key Scan and choose New > 32-bit DWORD value.
► Name this new value as follows and validate:
DisableRemovableDriveScanning
► Double-click on this value and make sure the value data is correct 0. Click on OK and close the Registry Editor. Microsoft Defender will now scan all external storage media when plugged into the PC.
