version 15.1. R2 manual full scan does not scan all files

[Peacekeeper]

McAfee Product Manager, here.  I'll take a crack at explaining how we've changed the scanning technology & why.  But let me first encourage those of you who like the ability to scan a particular file or drive that we are currently working on re-adding that to the product. 
What's happened? 
McAfee has responded to feedback from users who wanted to be protected, while not paying a heavy Performance price.  One way to accomplish this was by shifting to a more Cloud-reliant Next Gen AV engine.  Instead of carrying nearly 200MB of DATs (virus signatures) on the PC, we are trimming down DATs to about 1/5 the size and offloaded much of what was previously handled by the PC locally, to the Cloud.  Instead of using only signatures & static file attributes, which have to be updated constantly, we are also looking at file behaviors (Dynamic attributes).  The end result is detection that is always getting better through Machine Learning (instead of having to try to keep up by logging signatures of known viruses constantly). 
Why are scans not looking at as many files?
With previous technology, McAfee would scan every file, every time - unless scans are customized.  On a PC loaded with a lot of files, this could lead to a significantly long scan time, and depending upon your PC power, some perceivable lag.  With the Next Gen AV, we focus on scripts and anything executable, and those file types which are potentially subject to infection.  But file types, like some media which are not a risk, are not included in the On Demand Scans.  It doesn't mean they're ignored.  Upon access of any file, McAfee is checking for suspicious behaviors - and if seen, the activity is stopped and the file quarantined.  And because McAfee is recording any bad behaviors, the product assists in rolling back to previous state.  
There is never a perfect approach to Security, but with Next Gen AV we think we have addressed Performance concerns while also improving detection capabilities...kind of the holy grail of AV.  
Having said all this, feel free to let me know your concerns.  We design our products for you, so tell me what you want. 
Tracy

Post in ideas thread above from the program manager

[quiltgirl]

I was recently updated to 16.0.2 on Windows 7 and just did a full scan.   Before, it would only scan about 40,000 files.   But with this update, a full scan looked at 164,201 items and 0 processes.  So perhaps they put the full scan back to how it used to be before 15.1.

The %counter seemed to increment correctly and I don't think it took an unusually long time.

[catdaddy]

Thank you for your input. They have definitely made some changes.

[Peacekeeper]

Yes file count fixed mine still pauses for up to 15 minutes at around 51% then jumps to 100% . I have reported this. time taken was 31 mins last run which is good for 2 drives and 453k files

[catdaddy]

I just ran a Manual Full scan

       MSC    VS

16.2.142/20.2155

Engine Version 3072

Started scan @ 2:57pm

Completed @ 4:58pm

After 16 minutes it paused at 91%/96% until it completed.

It scanned more files however still took (2 hours) to complete.

Scanned C:Drive only   1TB - 969gbs free.

I have passed this up the chain.

[Peacekeeper]

Mate rescan and see if next scan is faster please. Mine was.

[quiltgirl]

I did a second scan today to see what would be different.  Today it scanned 164,210 items and 0 processes.

It took 34 minutes.

I monitored the % done and the number of items scanned and they do not seem to relate to each other.

Some examples:

    29%  - 3941 items

    55%  - 41xxx items

    76% - 101xxx items

    80% - 114xxx items

    85% - 161xxx items

then is stayed at 86% until it completed and jumped to 100% at 164,210 items.

[catdaddy]

Okay, I rebooted before I ran the next scan. Not sure if that makes a difference, other than closing out the *McHost.exe*,and clearing the cache.. Anyway to my surprise it basically scanned almost the same number of files?

It paused/hesitated all during it and took 1hr 56mins.

I will bring this up tomorrow on the Call.

It seems like Quiltgirl's scan was quicker...

[quiltgirl]

I actually shut down (power off) every night and restart in the morning, if that makes a difference.

I have fewer files on my one drive.  Maybe my drive/internet/cpu is faster?  Not sure why.

[quiltgirl]

or different file types.

(and I was locked out for rapid replies, when I only wanted to add  more info.)