Malwarebytes is a popular anti-malware software that helps protect computers from various types of malware, including viruses, Trojans, and spyware. While it is a useful tool for keeping your computer safe, there may be times when you need to deactivate it. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as conflicts with other software, false positives, or the need to troubleshoot a problem. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to deactivate Malwarebytes.
Why Deactivate Malwarebytes?
Before we dive into the steps to deactivate Malwarebytes, it’s essential to understand why you might need to do so. Here are a few reasons:
- Conflicts with other software: Malwarebytes may conflict with other security software or programs on your computer, causing system crashes or errors.
- False positives: Malwarebytes may flag a legitimate program or file as malware, causing unnecessary alerts and warnings.
- Troubleshooting: Deactivating Malwarebytes may be necessary to troubleshoot a problem or identify the cause of a system issue.
- Uninstallation: If you decide to uninstall Malwarebytes, you will need to deactivate it first.
How to Deactivate Malwarebytes
Deactivating Malwarebytes is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps:
Method 1: Disable Malwarebytes from the Settings
- Open Malwarebytes and click on the “Settings” icon (represented by a gear) in the top-right corner of the window.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Protection” tab.
- Under the “Real-Time Protection” section, toggle the switch to the “Off” position.
- Confirm that you want to disable real-time protection by clicking “Yes” in the pop-up window.
Method 2: Disable Malwarebytes from the Task Manager
- Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, click on the “Startup” tab.
- Look for Malwarebytes in the list of startup programs and right-click on it.
- Select “Disable” from the context menu.
Method 3: Disable Malwarebytes from the Services Console
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “services.msc” in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- In the Services console, look for the Malwarebytes service (it may be listed as “Malwarebytes Service” or “MBAMService”).
- Right-click on the Malwarebytes service and select “Stop” from the context menu.
How to Uninstall Malwarebytes
If you want to completely remove Malwarebytes from your computer, you will need to uninstall it. Here are the steps:
Method 1: Uninstall Malwarebytes from the Control Panel
- Open the Control Panel and click on the “Programs and Features” icon (in Windows 10/8) or “Add or Remove Programs” icon (in Windows 7).
- Look for Malwarebytes in the list of installed programs and click on it.
- Click the “Uninstall” button to start the uninstallation process.
- Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Method 2: Uninstall Malwarebytes from the Settings App
- Open the Settings app and click on the “Apps” icon.
- Look for Malwarebytes in the list of installed apps and click on it.
- Click the “Uninstall” button to start the uninstallation process.
- Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Conclusion
Deactivating Malwarebytes is a relatively straightforward process that can be done using various methods. Whether you need to disable it temporarily or uninstall it completely, following the steps outlined in this article will help you achieve your goal. Remember to always be cautious when disabling or uninstalling security software, as it may leave your computer vulnerable to malware and other threats.
What is Malwarebytes and why would I want to disable it?
Malwarebytes is a popular anti-malware software designed to detect and remove malware from your computer. While it is a useful tool for protecting your computer from online threats, there may be situations where you want to disable it. For example, you may be experiencing conflicts with other security software or you may want to troubleshoot a problem with your computer.
Disabling Malwarebytes can also be useful if you are experiencing performance issues with your computer. Malwarebytes can consume system resources, which can slow down your computer. By disabling it, you can free up system resources and improve your computer’s performance. Additionally, disabling Malwarebytes can also be useful if you are trying to install a new program or driver that is being blocked by Malwarebytes.
How do I disable Malwarebytes temporarily?
To disable Malwarebytes temporarily, you can right-click on the Malwarebytes icon in the system tray and select “Exit” or “Quit”. This will close the Malwarebytes program and disable its real-time protection. Alternatively, you can also open the Malwarebytes program and click on the “Settings” icon. From there, you can toggle off the “Real-time protection” switch to disable Malwarebytes temporarily.
Keep in mind that disabling Malwarebytes temporarily will not uninstall the program or remove its files from your computer. It will simply stop the program from running in the background and disable its real-time protection. If you want to re-enable Malwarebytes, you can simply restart your computer or open the program again and toggle on the “Real-time protection” switch.
How do I disable Malwarebytes permanently?
To disable Malwarebytes permanently, you will need to uninstall the program from your computer. To do this, go to the “Control Panel” on your computer and select “Programs and Features” (in Windows) or “Applications” (on a Mac). From there, find Malwarebytes in the list of installed programs and click on it to select it. Then, click on the “Uninstall” button to remove Malwarebytes from your computer.
Once you have uninstalled Malwarebytes, you will no longer receive updates or notifications from the program. You will also not be able to use Malwarebytes to scan your computer for malware or other online threats. If you want to use Malwarebytes again in the future, you will need to reinstall the program from the Malwarebytes website.
Will disabling Malwarebytes leave my computer vulnerable to malware?
Disabling Malwarebytes will leave your computer more vulnerable to malware and other online threats. Malwarebytes is designed to detect and remove malware from your computer, and disabling it will remove this layer of protection. Without Malwarebytes, you will be relying on your computer’s built-in security software (such as Windows Defender) to protect you from malware.
However, it’s worth noting that disabling Malwarebytes is not the same as disabling all security software on your computer. If you have other security software installed, such as antivirus software, it will still be running and protecting your computer. Additionally, you can take other steps to protect your computer from malware, such as avoiding suspicious emails and websites, using strong passwords, and keeping your operating system and software up to date.
Can I disable Malwarebytes for a specific program or application?
Yes, you can disable Malwarebytes for a specific program or application. To do this, open the Malwarebytes program and click on the “Settings” icon. From there, select the “Exceptions” tab and click on the “Add Exception” button. Then, enter the path to the program or application that you want to exclude from Malwarebytes’ scans.
By adding an exception, you can prevent Malwarebytes from scanning a specific program or application. This can be useful if you are experiencing conflicts between Malwarebytes and another program, or if you want to allow a specific program to run without being blocked by Malwarebytes. Keep in mind that adding an exception will not disable Malwarebytes entirely, but rather just for the specific program or application that you have excluded.
How do I re-enable Malwarebytes after disabling it?
To re-enable Malwarebytes after disabling it, you can simply restart your computer or open the Malwarebytes program again. If you disabled Malwarebytes temporarily, it will automatically restart when you restart your computer. If you uninstalled Malwarebytes, you will need to reinstall the program from the Malwarebytes website.
Once you have re-enabled Malwarebytes, it will resume its real-time protection and start scanning your computer for malware again. You can also check the Malwarebytes settings to make sure that the program is configured correctly and that its real-time protection is enabled.
What are the risks of disabling Malwarebytes?
The risks of disabling Malwarebytes include leaving your computer more vulnerable to malware and other online threats. Without Malwarebytes, you will not have the same level of protection against malware, and you may be more likely to experience problems with your computer. Additionally, disabling Malwarebytes can also lead to conflicts with other security software, which can cause problems with your computer’s performance.
It’s also worth noting that disabling Malwarebytes can also lead to a false sense of security. If you disable Malwarebytes and then experience problems with your computer, you may not realize that the problem is caused by malware. By keeping Malwarebytes enabled, you can help to ensure that your computer is protected from malware and other online threats.