Microsoft Defender AV must randomize scheduled task times.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-278659SRG-APP-000278WNDF-AV-000055SV-278659r1190748_rule2026-02-172

Description

In Microsoft Defender Antivirus, randomize the start time of the scan to any interval from 0 to 23 hours. By default, scheduled tasks begin at a random time within four hours of the time specified in Task Scheduler.

ℹ️ Check

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Randomize scheduled task times is set to "Enabled"; otherwise, this is a finding. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Criteria: If the value "RandomizeScheduleTaskTimes" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding. If the value is 0, this is a finding.

✔️ Fix

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Randomize scheduled task times to "Enabled".