<p>We have an app that monitors a folder for file drop and need to initiate a virus scan before using any incoming files.</p>

<p>This needs to be a part of the Delphi app and the file must pass the Virus Scan otherwise we delete the file.</p>

<p>I know that there are command shell options available, however this <strong>must</strong> be a direct API call to a registered AV engine installed on the PC.</p>

<p>We have looked at the MSOffice AntiVirus API but that only seems to be for developers wanting to make scanning apps that are triggered by hosting apps. We need the opposite.</p>

<p>Any suggestions on a Virus Scanning Engine and API would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

The procedure is described
here
, in the section entitled 'Internet Explorer 5 and Office 2000 Implementation'.
A Delphi implementation of enumerating the category is available
here
(GetRegisteredAntiviruses).  Just fill out a TMsoavinfo and call
Scan
.
Most AV programs allow you to scan a file by passing it as a single argument on the command line - I believe Windows Live Messenger uses this method.