Scan Types Explained: Quick vs Complete vs Custom
Most scanning tools in this category offer more than one type of scan. Here's the general concepts behind when each is typically used.
Quick Scan
Generally checks the most common infection locations, aiming for a fast result rather than exhaustive coverage. Good for a routine checkup.
Complete Scan
Typically checks the entire drive or system more thoroughly, taking longer but generally offering more comprehensive coverage.
Custom Scan
Generally lets you choose specific folders or drives to check, useful when you suspect an issue in a particular location.
When to use which
A quick scan is generally reasonable for routine, regular checkups when nothing seems obviously wrong. A complete scan is typically worth running periodically, or specifically when you suspect an infection, since it checks more thoroughly at the cost of taking longer. A custom scan is useful when you've downloaded something specific and want to check just that file or folder before opening it.
Scan duration depends heavily on drive size, file count, and system speed — a complete scan on a large or older drive can reasonably take a while.