Why you might want to uninstall Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is antimalware software — it scans for and removes threats like viruses, spyware, and ransomware. Most people keep it running all the time. But you might want to remove it if you're switching to a different security tool, if it's slowing down your computer, if you no longer need it, or if it's conflicting with another program you use.

Uninstalling Malwarebytes is straightforward on Windows and Mac. The steps differ slightly between the two, and the process takes about five minutes. You don't need to contact support or do anything special — just use your computer's built-in removal tools.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps, find Malwarebytes, and click Uninstall; on Mac, drag the Malwarebytes icon to Trash from the Applications folder.
  • Windows may ask you to restart your computer after uninstalling — do this to complete the removal.
  • If Malwarebytes won't uninstall normally, restart your computer in Safe Mode first, then try the uninstall again.
  • After uninstalling, you can install a different antimalware tool if you want protection, or rely on Windows Defender (built into Windows) or macOS's built-in protections.

Uninstalling Malwarebytes on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Once it opens, click Apps in the left sidebar, then click Apps & features.

Scroll down the list of installed programs until you find Malwarebytes. Click on it once to select it, then click the Uninstall button that appears. A popup window will ask you to confirm — click Uninstall again.

Windows will remove the program. This usually takes one to two minutes. When it finishes, you may see a message asking you to restart your computer. Click Restart now if prompted. Restarting completes the removal and clears any remaining files from memory.

Uninstalling Malwarebytes on Mac

Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar on the left. Look through the list for Malwarebytes and click on it once to select it.

Right-click (or Control-click) on the Malwarebytes icon and select Move to Trash from the menu that appears. You may be asked to enter your password — type it in and click OK. The program will move to your Trash folder.

To finish the removal, empty your Trash. Click the Trash icon in your Dock, then click Empty in the top right corner of the Trash window. This permanently deletes Malwarebytes from your Mac.

What to do if Malwarebytes won't uninstall

Sometimes Malwarebytes won't uninstall because it's still running in the background. On Windows, restart your computer in Safe Mode, which loads only essential programs. To do this, press the Windows key, type "msconfig", and click the msconfig app. Click the Boot tab, check the box next to Safe boot, and click OK. Your computer will restart in Safe Mode.

Once in Safe Mode, repeat the uninstall steps above. After Malwarebytes is removed, restart your computer normally by opening msconfig again, unchecking Safe boot, and clicking OK.

On Mac, if Malwarebytes won't move to Trash, restart your Mac and try again when ready after it boots up. If it still won't move, the program may have a background process running. Restart in Safe Mode by holding Shift while your Mac starts up, then try moving Malwarebytes to Trash again.

What happens to your computer's protection after uninstalling

Windows computers come with Windows Defender, a built-in antimalware tool that runs automatically. If you uninstall Malwarebytes and don't install anything else, Windows Defender will take over protection. It's less aggressive than Malwarebytes but covers the basics — you don't need to do anything to set up it.

Macs have built-in malware protections that run in the background. If you uninstall Malwarebytes on a Mac, your computer will rely on these native protections. Like Windows Defender, they're not as intensive as third-party tools but provide a reasonable baseline.

If you want stronger protection than what comes built in, you can install a different antimalware program. Common alternatives include Bitdefender, Norton, Kaspersky, or Avast. read the installer from the publisher's website, run it, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Removing leftover Malwarebytes files (optional)

After uninstalling, Malwarebytes usually leaves no trace. But if you want to remove every file associated with it, you can do a deeper cleanup on Windows. Open File Explorer, click the View tab at the top, and check the box for Hidden items so you can see hidden folders.

Navigate to C:\ProgramData and look for a folder named Malwarebytes. Right-click it and select Delete. Then go to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local and delete any Malwarebytes folders there too. This step is optional — most people don't need to do it.

On Mac, open Finder, click Go in the menu bar, and select Go to Folder. Type ~/Library/process Support and press Enter. Look for any Malwarebytes folders and drag them to Trash, then empty Trash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling Malwarebytes leave my computer unprotected?

No. Windows Defender on Windows and macOS's built-in protections on Mac will continue running. They're less intensive than Malwarebytes but still catch most common threats. If you want stronger protection, install a different antimalware tool before removing Malwarebytes.

Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling?

Windows usually prompts you to restart and you should do it — restarting clears the program from memory completely. On Mac, restarting is not required but can help if you're having trouble uninstalling.

Can I reinstall Malwarebytes later if I change my mind?

Yes. read the installer from Malwarebytes.com, run it, and follow the setup steps. You can reinstall it anytime without any penalty or loss of data.

What if I see an error message during uninstall?

Try restarting your computer and uninstalling again. If the error persists, restart in Safe Mode (Windows) or Safe Boot (Mac) and attempt the uninstall from there. Safe Mode disables background processes that might be blocking the removal.

Does uninstalling Malwarebytes delete my scan history or quarantine files?

Yes. When you uninstall Malwarebytes, it removes all associated data including scan logs and quarantined files. If you need to keep records of past scans, take screenshots or notes before uninstalling.