I’ve used MBAM (Malwarebytes Anti-Malware) on my own PCs for years. I run it on my Windows 11 laptop, and on a dusty old Windows 10 desktop I use for games and taxes. I even put the free version on my mom’s hand-me-down Dell. So yeah, I’ve had a few real moments with it—good and not so good.
Quick take
- It finds junk fast.
- It plays nice with Windows Security if you set it right.
- It can feel heavy on old hardware during scans.
- The free version is fine for cleanup; Premium is better for real-time safety.
You know what? It’s not perfect. But it’s saved my bacon more than once.
Why I tried it
I first grabbed MBAM after my kid downloaded a “free” PDF tool that wasn’t free at all. Toolbars. Pop-ups. Weird search page. The usual mess. Windows Security missed it. MBAM found seven PUPs (it calls them “potentially unwanted programs”) in one Threat Scan and quarantined them. The browser stopped freaking out right after. That was my “okay, this stays” moment.
Set up felt easy (but watch this one toggle)
Install took me under five minutes. Updates were quick. One setting matters though:
- “Always register Malwarebytes in Windows Security”: I keep this OFF.
Why? If it’s ON, Windows Defender goes to sleep. I like them both on—Defender plus MBAM. They don’t fight if you leave that toggle off. Simple.
If you want to see exactly how the two tools stack up, take a look at this comprehensive comparison between Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender.
I paid around $35 for a one-device Premium license during a Black Friday sale last year. Renewal went up, which bugged me, but more on that later.
Daily use: quiet, until it’s not
Most days, MBAM just sits there and minds its business. I set it to run a Threat Scan every morning at 8 a.m. It updates on its own. When a scan runs, my laptop fans spin a bit, but I can still check email and hop in a Zoom call.
On the old Dell? Different story. That box has a spinning hard drive. During scans, it gets sluggish. I moved the schedule to 2 p.m. and turned off “Scan for rootkits” on that machine, then do a rootkit scan once a month instead. That helped a lot.
Real moments it saved me
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The fake “Download” button: I was on a mod site for Stardew Valley. Clicked a green button that looked legit. MBAM’s Web Protection blocked the domain and threw a red banner. I felt a little silly, but also very safe.
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The tax form scare: During tax week, I opened a shady email that said “Your 1099 is ready.” I did not click the link, but I hovered. MBAM flagged the tracking link as risky. That tiny smack on the wrist kept me from making a dumb move.
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Auntie’s toolbar storm: My aunt’s PC had at least five toolbars and a search hijacker. MBAM found 23 items, mostly PUPs with names I don’t care to remember. I did a Threat Scan, then a Full Scan. Restart. Gone. She baked me cookies, which I feel is fair pay.
If you ever find yourself browsing adult-oriented corners of the internet—places that can be minefields of pop-ups and sketchy redirects—remember that sticking to reputable, security-minded platforms goes a long way. A solid example is the well-moderated fetish community over at InstantChat where encrypted connections and ad-screening policies let you explore your interests without worrying about malware hitching a ride on your browser.
Likewise, Southern California locals who prefer vetted classifieds can steer toward the Backpage Dana Point listings—each post is human-reviewed and scrubbed of malicious scripts, so you can browse companionship ads without risking a malware meltdown.
Things I like (and a few I don’t)
Pros:
- Strong at yanking out adware and PUPs. It’s almost rude about it, which I love.
- Web Protection catches bad links before I click.
- Works fine alongside Windows Defender if you tweak that one setting.
- The interface is clear. Big buttons. No maze.
Cons:
- Free version has no real-time protection. It’s just “scan when you want.” Good for cleanup, not daily safety.
- On old machines, scans slow things down unless you tune it.
- A few false alarms. It once flagged a tiny network tool I use from NirSoft. I had to add an allow-list rule.
- Renewal sticker shock. The sale price was sweet; the regular price, not so much.
- The free version nags a bit to upgrade. Not awful, but you’ll notice.
For a more granular breakdown of where MBAM shines—and where it stumbles—check out this in-depth review of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
Nerdy bits (said in plain terms)
- Threat Scan: This is the one you’ll run most. It checks common bad spots and memory. Fast.
- Full Scan: Slower. I run it monthly or after I install a bunch of new apps.
- Ransomware Protection: It watches for weird file changes. I leave it on.
- Exploit Protection: Helps block sneaky tricks in browsers and office apps.
- Browser Guard: The free add-on for Chrome/Edge/Firefox. It blocks shady ads and links. It’s worth it.
If you’re also curious about shoring up password security, check out my hands-on look at JTR (John the Ripper) for a real-world password audit—a great companion to MBAM’s system protections.
CPU use? On my Ryzen laptop, scans peak around 15–25% and then calm down. On the old Dell, it feels more like 40% during a Full Scan. That’s when I go make coffee.
What finally annoyed me
- The renewal jump. I get that companies need cash, but I wish the price stayed closer to the sale price I paid.
- One time, the real-time protection blocked a safe game launcher update. I had to pause protection for 10 minutes. Not a big deal, but still.
Who should use MBAM?
- If you click lots of downloads and run into junk now and then, get Premium.
- If you only need a cleanup tool once in a while, the free version is fine.
- If your PC is older, set scans for off-hours and maybe skip rootkit scans except monthly.
Little tips from my setup
- Leave “Always register Malwarebytes in Windows Security” OFF so Defender stays on.
- Turn on “Scan for rootkits,” but do it monthly if your PC is slow.
- Add trusted tools to the Allow List if MBAM cries wolf.
- Schedule scans when you’re at lunch. Saves your nerves.
- Install Browser Guard. It blocks bad links before they become your problem.
If you're still weighing your options, Cupid Systems has a handy side-by-side chart that compares Malwarebytes with other top security suites.
Need a bigger safety net? Pairing good anti-malware with a bullet-proof backup plan goes a long way—here’s my experience after I tested a disaster-recovery software suite so you don’t panic later.
The bottom line
MBAM isn’t flashy. It doesn’t brag. It just finds junk and blocks bad links. It’s a sturdy sidekick for Windows Security, and it’s cleaned more than one family computer at my house. I gripe about the renewal price and the rare false alarm, sure. But when that red banner pops up and saves me from a shady click? Worth it.
Would I keep paying for Premium? Yes—on my main laptop, absolutely. On the old desktop, I might stick with the free version and a careful mouse. Honestly, that balance works for me.