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In my guide on how to install Malwarebytes, I’ll provide all the information you need to get started with the popular anti-malware and antivirus software products.
I’ll walk through how to download and install Malwarebytes and how to run your first scan on Windows and Mac to find and remove viruses, spyware, adware, and other forms of malware.
How to Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware – Malwarebytes Installation Steps
Downloading and installing Malwarebytes is relatively straightforward. Here’s how to install Malwarebytes on a Windows computer:
Go to Malwarebytes
Go to Malwarebytes, pick a plan, and purchase a subscription to the service.
Download the Malwarebytes Software
Clicking the download button will automatically start the download. Select where you want to save the application and click “Save.”
Install Malwarebytes
Next, the Malwarebytes setup wizard will ask you to install the software. If nothing happens, check your downloads folder.
Once you click on it, another window will appear, asking you to add the Browser Guard. You can accept this or skip it for now. Browser Guard enables a safer internet browsing experience by blocking ads and websites that could potentially compromise your online security.
With this done, you’ve now completed the Malwarebytes setup.
How to Use Malwarebytes to Scan Your PC
With a paid Malwarebytes plan, you can create custom scans and have them run automatically. If you have the free version, you’ll have to scan your PC manually. For now, let’s see how to run a full scan with Malwarebytes.
Go to the Malwarebytes Main Dashboard
Open the Malwarebytes application and go to the main dashboard. Click the blue “Scan” button for a full scan from Malwarebytes.
Complete the Scan
Malwarebytes will begin scanning your PC. This may take a few minutes.
Check the Threat Scan Summary
After the scan is complete, you’ll see the scan results page. If Malwarebytes picks up threats, you can quarantine them.
Delete Files from Quarantine
Quarantined files can then be deleted from the “Quarantine” tab. Select the files you want to delete and click “Delete.” If a file has been quarantined and you’re sure it’s safe, you can restore it to its original location.
Having covered how to run Malwarebytes for Windows 10 and Windows 11, I’ll now move on to other platforms.
How to Use Malwarebytes for Mac
Here are some simple guidelines for how to scan your Mac with Malwarebytes.
Go to Malwarebytes
Open the Malwarebytes app, or go to the Malwarebytes site if you need to buy a subscription. Once in the app, you’ll be greeted with a screen like the one below. Click the “Scan” button.
With the paid version of the app, you’ll have access to real-time protection, and it’s recommended that you switch this on. Starting a Premium trial will also give you access to real-time protection.
Check the Scan Results
Once the scan is complete, you’ll see the reports screen. Here, you can see any threats and malicious code that may be on your system. Clicking the box on the left will allow you to select the potentially dangerous files and quarantine them.
Review the Scan Summary
After you’ve quarantined any potential threats, you’ll see the scan summary. Here, you can view all the scans that have been completed by clicking “Reports.”
Alternatively, you can click “View Report,” which will show you information about the completed scan, or you can click “Done” to return to the dashboard.
How to Run Malwarebytes’ Other Features
You can also configure custom scans with Malwarebytes so you can determine exactly what you want Malwarebytes to scan.
An important note is that these scans can take longer to complete, so unless you want a specific folder or drive on your device to be scanned, I recommend using the standard scan instead.
Go to Advanced Scan
Open the app and click the three small dots in the “Scanner” tab. You’ll see a drop-down menu. Click “Advanced Scan.”
Select the Folders to Scan
You can now select the individual drives or folders you want to scan. Scanning all of them will take some time, but this process provides a deeper scan that has a better chance of identifying any threats that may be present.
For more in-depth scans, check out our guide to the best spyware remover software.
Malwarebytes Analyzed
In this guide, we’ve covered how to download Malwarebytes, but you may be interested in more analysis and exploration of Malwarebyte’s features.
To see comparisons with leading antivirus solutions, check out our Malwarebytes vs Avast guide. The product also appears in our guide to the best antivirus for Chromebook.
Like many of the best antivirus solutions, Malwarebytes has a free version and a trial version available to help you get started. However, Malwarebytes’ plans are significantly more expensive than its competitors when their introductory offers are taken into account.
If you’re considering alternatives to Malwarebytes, I rate TotalAV as the best antivirus for real-time protection, while Norton offers the best security software for families.
The NordVPN Threat Protection package, meanwhile, is a robust online security tool that comes with one of the best VPNs on the market, including a huge global server network and servers in 110+ countries.
If you’re looking for other antivirus solutions, you may also be interested in our articles on the best antivirus for Android, the best free antivirus software, and the best antivirus with a VPN.
Conclusion
This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to download, install, and use Malwarebytes for Windows and Mac. Generally speaking, though, it’s a pretty straightforward and intuitive tool with an accessible user interface.
An important thing to keep in mind is that regular updates and regular scans are crucial for maintaining a secure system. By keeping up to date with Malwarebytes, you can ensure it can effectively detect and remove threats.
