Last updated: October 30, 2026
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is now called Malwarebytes for Windows. The free edition is a cleanup scanner: you download it from the official site, run a scan, and remove infections that are already on your PC. It does not guard your PC in the background. That job belongs to the paid Premium Security edition, or to Microsoft Defender if you keep it switched on.
Quick answer
- Safe download: malwarebytes.com/mwb-download (official page only).
- Free edition: on-demand scanning and removal of existing infections.
- Premium Security: adds real-time protection, ransomware protection, and malicious site blocking.
- Best everyday setup for most people: Microsoft Defender always on, plus Malwarebytes Free for a second-opinion scan when something looks wrong.
In this guide
- What changed since Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
- Malwarebytes Free vs Premium Security
- Do you need Malwarebytes if you have Windows Defender?
- How to download Malwarebytes safely
- How to scan and remove malware
- If the infection will not go away
- After the cleanup
- System requirements and latest version
- FAQ
What changed since Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
This page was first written in 2011, when the product was called Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and a lifetime license cost a one-time fee. A lot has changed:
- New name: the product is now simply Malwarebytes for Windows, currently in its version 5 generation.
- Two editions: Free (scan and clean) and Premium Security (always-on protection).
- Subscriptions: paid protection is sold as a yearly subscription, not a one-time license. Prices and device counts change, so check the official pricing page.
- Newer Windows: the 2011 builds that supported Windows 2000, XP and Vista are long discontinued. Do not use old installers.
Malwarebytes Free vs Premium Security
| Feature | Free | Premium Security |
|---|---|---|
| On-demand malware scanning | Yes | Yes |
| Removes existing infections | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time antivirus protection | No | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | No | Yes |
| Phishing and malicious site blocking | No | Yes |
| Exploit protection | No | Yes |
| Brute force attack prevention | No | Yes |
| Uninstall protection | No | Yes |
Source: the feature comparison on the official Malwarebytes download page. Premium Security also includes 24/7 support and a 60-day money-back guarantee, and exact features vary by operating system. The free Browser Guard extension for ad and scam blocking is offered with every plan.
Do you need Malwarebytes if you have Windows Defender?
It depends on how you use your PC. Microsoft Defender already provides real-time protection on Windows, so the free Malwarebytes scanner is best treated as a second opinion rather than a replacement.
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Your PC behaves normally | Keep Defender on. Optionally run a Malwarebytes Free scan once in a while. |
| Pop-ups, slow PC, changed browser settings | Run a Malwarebytes Free scan now, and also run an AdwCleaner scan if the symptoms look like adware. |
| You want one always-on product with web and ransomware protection | Consider Premium Security. Follow the vendor's guidance on how it works alongside Defender. |
| Defender has been disabled or cannot start | Treat the PC as suspect. Scan from Safe Mode and see the section on stubborn infections. |
If you only use the free edition, do not turn off Defender's real-time protection, because the free scanner does not watch your PC in the background. For a wider comparison, see our guide to the best free antivirus for Windows 10 and 11.
How to download Malwarebytes safely
Fake download pages and "cracked" installers for security software are a common way to get infected, and they often show up in search results and ads. Follow these steps:
- Open the official page: malwarebytes.com/mwb-download. Check that the address bar shows malwarebytes.com before you click anything.
- Choose the free download and save the installer.
- Before running it, right-click the file, open Properties, go to the Digital Signatures tab, and confirm the signer is Malwarebytes.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts. Malwarebytes updates its detection data after installation, so let that finish.
Avoid: file-sharing links, "full version" or "license key" pages, and any site that asks you to disable your antivirus before installing. Old links to this tool on file-hosting sites are dead or unsafe.
How to scan and remove malware
- Save your work and close open programs.
- Open Malwarebytes and start a Scan from the dashboard.
- Wait for the scan to finish. Time depends on your drive size and the scan type.
- Review the detections. Select the items you want to remove and quarantine or remove them.
- If Malwarebytes asks for a restart to finish the removal, restart the PC.
- Run a second scan after the restart to confirm the PC is clean.
Button names differ slightly between versions, but the flow is always scan, review, remove, restart. If a detection looks like a program you recognize and trust, check it before removing it, because security tools can occasionally flag legitimate software.
If the infection will not go away
- Scan from Safe Mode. Boot Windows into Safe Mode with Networking and run Malwarebytes again. Many threats cannot hide or defend themselves as well there.
- Run an offline scan with Microsoft Defender. Microsoft explains the options in its guide to removing malware from your Windows PC.
- Try AdwCleaner. Malwarebytes AdwCleaner is a free tool aimed at adware, unwanted toolbars and browser hijackers.
- Check for autorun malware on USB drives. If files on a flash drive turn into shortcuts or you cannot delete an
autorun.inffile, see our fix for "Access is denied" on autorun.inf. - Back up and reinstall as a last resort. If the PC still misbehaves, copy your important files to external storage (scan them first) and reinstall Windows.
After the cleanup
- Install all pending Windows updates and update your browser.
- Change important passwords from a device you know is clean, especially email and banking, if the infection could have captured them.
- Remove browser extensions you do not recognize.
- Keep one real-time protection layer switched on, either Defender or Premium Security.
- If you use public Wi-Fi often, a VPN can help. See our list of free VPNs for Windows.
System requirements and latest version
The current Malwarebytes for Windows app is built for Windows 10 and Windows 11, and it needs an internet connection to install and update. Malwarebytes publishes its own requirements, so check them if you run an older Windows release. Microsoft ended regular support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, so moving to Windows 11 is the safer long-term choice.
At the time of writing, the latest release is version 5.7.0, published on September 8, 2026. It added a free Privacy VPN allowance of 10 GB every 30 days for Free and Standard users, rolling out gradually. Read the official 5.7.0 release notes for details. The app updates itself, and a fresh download always gives you the current build.
FAQ
Is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware still available?
The old name has been retired. The same product line continues as Malwarebytes for Windows, with a free scanner and a paid Premium Security edition.
Is Malwarebytes free?
Yes. The free edition scans for malware and removes infections on demand at no cost. Real-time protection, ransomware protection and malicious site blocking require a paid subscription.
Is the free version of Malwarebytes enough?
As a cleanup and second-opinion scanner, yes. It does not protect your PC continuously, so pair it with Microsoft Defender or choose Premium Security.
Can I run Malwarebytes and Windows Defender together?
Yes. The free scanner works alongside Defender. If you buy Premium Security, follow Malwarebytes' guidance on how it coexists with Defender on your version.
Does Malwarebytes work on Windows 11?
Yes. The current version supports Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Is the old one-time $24.95 license still offered?
No. That price belonged to the 2011 product. Protection is now a subscription, so check the official pricing page for current plans.
How do I know the download is genuine?
Download only from malwarebytes.com and check that the installer's digital signature shows Malwarebytes as the signer.
Related guides on IT WebLog
- Best free antivirus for Windows 10 and 11
- Cannot delete autorun.inf: "Access is denied" fix
- The best free VPNs for Windows
- All security guides
Sources
- Malwarebytes: free download and Free vs Premium Security comparison
- Malwarebytes: pricing and plans
- Malwarebytes Help Center: version 5.7.0 release notes
- Microsoft Support: remove malware from your Windows PC
Written and maintained by the IT WebLog editor. Product details are checked against the vendor's own pages and were last reviewed on October 30, 2026.
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