Unable to scan external devices

mdemicoli

I have BitDefender antivirus plus build 26.0.21.78 installed on Windows 11 Pro. For some odd reason, the BitDefender options in the context menu are unavailable (even if you click the show more options). This stops my ability to scan external devices I attach to my computer. Any help is appreciated.

Gjoksi

Hello.

-- STEP 1 --

Repair Bitdefender, by following these steps:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/13429/

Hello.

-- STEP 2 --

If the instructions from Step 1 didn't help, uninstall the Bitdefender program using the Uninstall Tool.

For Bitdefender Paid version click here:

https://www.bitdefender.com/links/uninstall_consumer_paid.html

For Bitdefender Trial version click here:

https://www.bitdefender.com/links/uninstall_consumer_trial.html

It will completely remove the program.

Next, reinstall Bitdefender from your Bitdefender Central account and see if the issue has been resolved, as reinstalling the program usually solves the issues.

-- STEP 3 --

If the instructions from Step 2 didn't help, follow the instructions in this step.

First, take screenshot(s) of the issue

and create a log file on your Windows device using Bitdefender Support Tool, by following these steps:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1733/

Next, contact Bitdefender Consumer Support by e-mail:

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/91918/bitdefender-websites-and-bitdefender-consumer-support-contacts

with short description of the issue.

After that, you will get an automated reply by the Bitdefender Customer Care Team, with your ticket number.

Now, in reply to that automated reply, you can send the screenshot(s) you already took and the log file you already created in the first step.

Since you are all done, just wait for the support engineers to investigate your issue and find a solution to fix the issue.

Remember that the screenshot(s) and the log file will help a lot to the support engineers for better and faster investigation on your issue and finding a solution.

Regards.

Alexandru_BD

Hello @mdemicoli and welcome to the Community!

Indeed, there is a known issue with the contextual scan and this started with Windows 11. The developers are working on a fix.

Some users have found the below workaround to be very useful, but this only applies for folders and not external drives:

In order to scan an individual file:

1. Right-click on the file
2. At the bottom of the menu options choose 'Show more options'

Choose Bitdefennder menu options, than choose 'Scan with Bitdefender".

In regards to external devices, Bitdefender can check if content on external drives is threat-free. All you have to do is set the "scan flash drives" feature on autoscan, or ask every time an external drive is connected:

Cheers