Randomize scheduled task times

This policy setting allows you to enable or disable randomization of the scheduled scan start time and the scheduled definition update start time. This setting is used to distribute the resource impact of scanning. For example, it could be used in guest virtual machines sharing a host, to prevent multiple guest virtual machines from undertaking a disk-intensive operation at the same time.

If you enable or do not configure this setting, scheduled tasks will begin at a random time within an interval of 30 minutes before and after the specified start time.

If you disable this setting, scheduled tasks will begin at the specified start time.

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
Value NameRandomizeScheduleTaskTimes
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

windowsdefender.admx

Administrative Templates (Computers)

Administrative Templates (Users)