McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012 is the latest version of the McAfee AntiVirus Plus series. The security solution has a ‘Plus’ appeal with a built-in firewall, antivirus and antispyware, web and email protection, and a contemporary user interface that showcases a handy list of other tools and utilities. With this new security software, you may need help running a virus scan on your PC. With this in mind, we have designed a free McAfee antivirus support guide that will help you run a virus scan correctly and also help you schedule an automatic scan.

Process:

Before we begin, we assume that you have McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012 installed on your computer. If you don’t have it, look for the McAfee installation kit. You will have a McAfee installation disc, a McAfee setup support manual. If the program came pre-installed with your computer, you do not need to reinstall it. If you don’t have the McAfee disk and McAfee isn’t installed on your computer, open your browser and visit the McAfee website. Download McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012 and install it on your PC. When it’s done, you’ll see a McAfee shortcut icon on your desktop and/or system tray.

For a preinstalled McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2012, if this is your first time running it, you may be prompted to register with McAfee. Therefore, please enter your first and last name, and a valid email address. When prompted, set a password, confirm it, and continue with registration. When finished, the program will check for the latest updates and install them. You can delay updates if you want to run them later.

Look for the M icon and double click to open it. As mentioned above, you can find it on your desktop, system tray, or taskbar. When you’re in the McAfee AntiVirus Plus console, you’ll see an overview of your PC’s security status, update status, subscription, tools and features, and more. Under Features, you’ll see Virus and Spyware Protection, Web and Email Protection, Data Protection, and Tools for PCs and Home Networks.

Click the drop-down arrow on the Virus and Spyware Protection strip. You will see a list of features viz. Scan your PC, real-time scan and scheduled scan, etc. to open. Click the Scan your PC link. Now you will see the scanning options viz. Run a quick scan, Run a full scan, and Run a custom scan. Choose an option, click on it, and then click the Start button to start scanning your PC. If you suspect malicious activity on your PC, choose to run a full virus scan.

If you want to continue working on your previous tasks, click the Run in background option before clicking the Start button. This way, the virus scan will run in the background and appear only when it is complete. If you want to see the progress of the scan, click the M icon and the console will open. If the program detects a Trojan, virus, or potentially unwanted program, it will automatically remove it or prompt you to take action. Choose what is displayed on the console screen.

If you want to schedule automatic scans to avoid the hassle of running manual scans, go back to the Virus and Spyware Protection strip in the console. Click the Scheduled Scan link. You will see that the Scheduled Scans feature is enabled. Under Schedule your scans, click the radio button next to Set my own scan schedule. Click the dropdown arrow and select a time period. Also select the particular day to automatically run the scan. For optimal PC performance, check the box next to Scan using minimal resources. Also check the Start scan only when PC is connected box. Click the Apply button to save the changes. Click the X button to exit the McAfee Antivirus Plus 2012 console.

Additional Information:

The default virus scans run weekly, viz. every Wednesday or Friday as preset by McAfee.