How to scan your computer with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to scan your computer for malware like viruses and spyware.
Before You Begin
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a tool that allows you to scan your computer to find and remove malware like viruses and spyware.
There are several steps you should take when cleaning an infected computer. Before running Malwarebytes, we recommend you review all the steps involved. Refer to 1550: How to scan and clean an infected computer.
Download and Install Malwarebytes
To download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, do the following:
- Download Malwarebytes and install it.
- Allow Malwarebytes to update. This happens at the end of the installation.
Scan Your Computer with Malwarebytes
Before you scan your computer with Malwarebytes, you should update it to make sure it can detect any recent malware.
Update Malwarebytes
To update Malwarebytes, do the following:
- Open Malwarebytes. Click Start > All Programs > Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware > Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.
- Some malware is designed to prevent Malwarebytes from running. If the Malwarebytes doesn't open, refer to 1509: Unable to launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
- Click the Update tab.
- Click Check for Updates.
After Malwarebytes has been updated, scan your computer.
Scan Your Computer
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, do the following:
- Open Malwarebytes.
- Make sure Malwarebytes is up to date (see above).
- Click the Scanner tab.
- Select Perform full scan.
- Click the Scan button.
- You will then be prompted to select the drives you want to scan.
- By default, each of your computer's hard drives will be selected. We recommend you use the default selections.
- Make sure your C: drive is selected.
- Select or deselect additional drives as needed.
- Click the Start Scan button.
- A scan typically takes between 20 and 60 minutes to run.
- When the scan is finished click the Show Results button.
- To complete the removal, ensure all items are checked and click the Remove Selected button. If Malwarebytes is unable to clean an infection, it will prompt you to restart the computer so that it can clean the infection before Windows starts. Click OK and restart the computer.