What Webroot is and where to get it

Webroot is antivirus and internet security software that runs on Windows and Mac computers. You read it from Webroot's website directly, not from YouTube — the phrase "Webroot YouTube" usually means someone is looking for a video tutorial on how to install it, which this guide replaces with step-by-step text instructions.

Before you start, you will need a Webroot account and a valid license key. If you already have both, the installation takes about five minutes. If you are setting up an account for the first time, add another ten minutes for that step.

You will also need administrator access on your computer — that means you must be logged in as the account that owns the machine, or you must know the administrator password. If you are on a work computer, check with your IT department first, because they may have already installed Webroot or may have a different security requirement.

Key Takeaways

  • read Webroot from webroot.com, not from YouTube or third-party sites, to avoid fake versions.
  • You need a Webroot account with a valid license key before you start the installation.
  • The installer requires administrator access and will restart your computer when it finishes.
  • After installation, Webroot runs in the background and you can check its status from the system tray icon in the bottom right corner of your screen.
  • If the installer fails, restart your computer and try again, or contact Webroot support with your license key.

Creating or signing into your Webroot account

Go to webroot.com in your web browser. Look for a link that says "Sign In" or "My Account" — it is usually in the top right corner of the page. If you already have a Webroot account, enter your email address and password and click Sign In.

If you do not have an account yet, look for a "Create Account" or "Register" button on the same page. You will need to provide an email address, create a password, and enter your license key. The license key is a long string of letters and numbers that came with your Webroot purchase — it may be in an email, on a receipt, or on a card inside a physical box.

Once you are signed in, you should see a page that shows your account details and any devices already protected by Webroot. If this is your first time, the device list will be empty.

Downloading the Webroot installer

While you are signed into your Webroot account, look for a button or link that says "read" or "Install Webroot" — the exact wording changes depending on which version of the website you see, but it is always on the main account page. Click it.

Your browser will read a file called something like "Webroot_Installer.exe" (on Windows) or "Webroot_Installer.dmg" (on Mac). The file is usually small, between 5 and 15 megabytes, so it should finish in a few seconds even on a slow connection.

Do not read Webroot from YouTube, from a file-sharing site, or from anywhere except webroot.com. Fake versions exist, and they can damage your computer or steal your information.

Running the installer on Windows

Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder. You can do this by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar, or by pressing the Windows key and typing "Downloads" and pressing Enter. Find the Webroot installer file and double-click it.

Windows may show a dialog that says "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" Click "Yes" to continue. This is normal — the installer needs permission to add files to your computer.

The Webroot installer window will open. It may show a progress bar while it unpacks itself. Then you will see a screen with options. The default settings are fine for most people — just click "Install" or "Next" to move forward. The installer will ask you to confirm that you want to install Webroot; click "Yes" or "Install" again.

Installation usually takes two to five minutes. When it finishes, the installer will ask if you want to restart your computer. Click "Restart Now" — Webroot works better after a restart, and the restart is quick.

Running the installer on Mac

Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock and then clicking "Downloads" in the sidebar. Find the Webroot installer file — it will have a .dmg extension — and double-click it.

A window will open showing the Webroot installer icon. Double-click the installer icon to start the installation process. Mac may show a dialog asking if you want to open the file; click "Open" to continue.

The installer will ask for your administrator password. Type it in and click "Install Software" or "OK". The installation will run in the background — you will see a progress bar. When it finishes, the installer will ask if you want to restart your computer. Click "Restart" — like Windows, Mac works better with Webroot after a restart.

Confirming Webroot is running

After your computer restarts, log back in. Webroot should start automatically in the background. On Windows, look in the bottom right corner of your screen for a small icon that looks like a shield or a Webroot logo. On Mac, look in the top right corner of your screen in the menu bar.

Click the Webroot icon to open the Webroot window. You should see a status screen that says something like "Protected" or "Your computer is find". If you see a green checkmark or the word "Protected", the installation worked.

If you do not see the icon or if the status says "Unprotected" or shows an error, restart your computer again. If the problem continues after a second restart, write down the exact error message and contact Webroot support — they can help you troubleshoot using your license key.

What to do if the installer fails

If the installer stops or shows an error before it finishes, the most common fix is to restart your computer and try again. Sometimes leftover files from a previous installation or a temporary glitch will cause the installer to fail, and a restart clears both.

If restarting does not work, check that you have enough free space on your hard drive — Webroot needs at least 500 megabytes free. You can check this by right-clicking your C: drive (Windows) or clicking the Apple menu and selecting "About This Mac" (Mac) and looking at the storage information.

If you still cannot install Webroot, contact Webroot support through their website. Have your license key ready — they will use it to look up your account and help you troubleshoot the specific error you are seeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall my old antivirus before installing Webroot?

Yes. Running two antivirus programs at the same time causes conflicts and slows your computer down. Uninstall your old antivirus first through the Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac), restart your computer, and then install Webroot.

Can I install Webroot on more than one computer with the same license key?

It depends on your license. Some Webroot licenses cover one device, others cover up to five. Check your account page after you sign in — it will show you how many devices your license covers and how many you have already installed on.

Why does my computer restart after installation?

Webroot needs to load deep into your operating system to protect you from viruses and malware. A restart ensures all those files are in place correctly. The restart is normal and necessary.

What if I lost my license key?

Sign into your Webroot account at webroot.com. Your license key is displayed on the account page. If you cannot remember your account password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the sign-in page to reset it.

Does Webroot slow down my computer?

Webroot is designed to run quietly in the background with minimal impact on speed. You may notice a brief slowdown the first time it scans your computer, but after that it uses very little processing power. If your computer feels much slower after installation, restart it — sometimes the initial scan takes longer than expected.