Virus Scan is slowing down my computer. What can I do?

VirusScan Enterprise protects your computer via two different methods: the On-Access Scan, which runs constantly in the background and scans files as they are accessed, and the more resource-intensive On-Demand Scan, which runs once a day to scan all parts of your computer for viruses. If you find that VirusScan is interfering with your ability to work on the machine, please try the following suggestions:

Note: these suggestions are listed in increasing risk to your machine due to decreased protection from VirusScan.

Set the On-Demand Scan to run at a more convenient time

1. Go to the Start menu > Programs > Network Associates > VirusScan Console.
   Result: The VirusScan Console opens.
   
   
2. Right-click on "Scan All Fixed Disks" and go to Properties.
   Result: The VirusScan On-Demand Scan Properties window opens.
   
3. Click on the Schedule button in the bottom right corner.
   Result: The Schedule Settings window opens.
   
4. Click on the Schedule tab. Change the time to one during which the computer is on and awake but not in use. If your computer is misses the scan time, it will begin the On-Demand scan the next time the machine is turned on.
   
   Click OK to confirm the new settings and OK on the next window to close the On-Demand Scan Properties window. Close the VirusScan Console.

Reduce VirusScan's system utilization

Reducing VirusScan's system utilization will cause the On-Demand Scan to scan through your files at a slower rate; however, it will also allow your other applications a greater share of the system resources.

1. Go to the Start menu > Programs > Network Associates > VirusScan Console.
   Result: The VirusScan Console opens.
   
2. Right-click on "Scan All Fixed Disks" and go to Properties.
   Result: The VirusScan On-Demand Scan Properties window opens.
   
3. Click on the Advanced tab. Move the slider to a lower setting to reduce VirusScan's system utilization.
   
   
   Click OK to confirm the new settings. Close the VirusScan Console.
   

Disable Script Scanning

In some cases, the new Script Scanning feature has been shown to slow down machines. This feature intercepts the execution of JavaScript and VBScript scripts before they are executed. You can disable it with the following steps.

1. Go to the Start menu > Programs > Network Associates > VirusScan Console.
   Result: The VirusScan Console opens.
   
2. Right-click on "On-Access Scanner" and go to Properties.
   Result: The VirusScan On-Access Scan Properties window opens.
   
3. Click on the ScriptScan tab and uncheck the option for Enable ScriptScan. Click on OK to confirm the new setting and close the VirusScan Console.