Installing and Using Malwarebytes on Windows

A popular application to remove malware from a Windows computer is called "Anti-Malware," which is produced by a company called Malwarebytes. Anti-Malware will search for, and remove, much of the malware hidden on your computer. Use the steps below to install and use Malwarebytes.

These instructions are for the freeware version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware installed on a Windows 10, 8, or 7 computer.

If you know or suspect your computer is already infected with malware, you must restart your computer in Safe Mode before installing Malwarebytes or running a manual scan.

Step 1:

Install Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is available in two versions: The "free" version that does not require a fee (i.e., freeware) and the "full" version that requires a fee.

The full version of Anti-Malware provides a realtime protection module. You will not need this version because UD McAfee provides a similar module, and if you install the full version of Anti-Malware as well as UD McAfee, the applications can conflict and cause problems on your computer.

Windows 10, 8, and 7
  1. Navigate to Malwarebytes' download page and click Download free version.
  2. Save the .exe file to your computer and double-click the icon.
  3. Install the software as you would any other Windows program.

Step 2:

Manually scan computer with Malwarebytes

Windows 10, 8, and 7
  1. Open the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program.
  2. If you see the User Account Control dialog box, click Yes.
  3. The Main Menu dialog box will open and should look similar to the following:

    main menu screen
     
  4. Each time you start Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, always update the program's definition files (i.e., information used to identify spyware and malware). Your computer must be connected to the Internet to update definition files. To check for updates, click the Update tab at the top of the Malwarebytes dialog box as shown in the following graphic:

    update tab
     
  5. Click Check for Updates. If new definition files are available, they will be automatically downloaded and installed.
  6. Click OK.
  7. To scan your computer, click the Scanner tab at the top of the Malwarebytes dialog box as shown in the following graphic:

    scanning screen
     
  8. Click the radio button in front of the type of scan you want to run.
  9. Click Scan.
  10. Depending on the computer you have, the number of programs and files it contains, and the type of scan selected, the scan may take several minutes to an hour or more to finish.
  11. When the scan is complete, you should see a scan results window, which—if nothing suspicious was found—should appear as a text file and look similar to the following:

    clean machine screen
     
  12. If suspicious items were found, you would instead see a window indicating that such items were found.
  13. Click Show Results. You should see a scan summary window, which should look similar to the following:

    malwarebytes log file
     
  14. Confirm that all detected items are selected.
  15. Click Remove Selected.
  16. If you are prompted to reboot your computer, click Yes to complete the removal.
  17. When you are done, close the program.


If you require further assistance with the instructions or information on this page, contact the IT Support Center Link opens in a new window.

Search IT Help

My UD Search for forms & applications.