How to Install Malwarebytes on Windows
Installation takes a few minutes. The steps below assume Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, with an administrator account.
Step by step
- Obtain the installer from the vendor and verify its digital signature — see our download guidance.
- Close all browsers.
- Right-click the installer and choose Run as administrator.
- Accept the terms and keep the default install path.
- Wait for the first threat-database update.
- Run a threat scan and review the detections before changing settings.
Settings to set immediately
- Enable potentially-unwanted-program detection
- Enable rootkit scanning if the PC has been infected before
- Schedule a weekly scan for a time the PC is on
If installation fails
Most failures are a previous broken install or an active infection blocking the setup. Reboot into Safe Mode with Networking and try again; if it still fails, use the vendor's support tool to clean the previous install, reboot, and reinstall. The install page lists the specific error patterns.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to reboot after installing?
Not always, but a reboot lets driver-level components load cleanly, so it is worth doing before the first scan.
Malware-Bytes.net is an independent information resource about malware protection for Windows. We are not Malwarebytes, and this site is not the official Malwarebytes website or support channel. Malwarebytes is a trademark of Malwarebytes Inc.