Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
malwarebytes.exe is safe and legitimate. It's the main executable for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, one of the most trusted and popular anti-malware tools used to detect and remove malware, ransomware, and other threats that traditional antivirus might miss.
malwarebytes.exe (also known as mbam.exe in older versions) is the main executable for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, a widely-trusted security application designed to detect and remove malware, spyware, trojans, rootkits, ransomware, and other malicious software. It's one of the most popular supplementary security tools used alongside traditional antivirus software.
This process launches when you open Malwarebytes or when the real-time protection feature is active (Premium version). It handles the user interface, scanning engine, and protection modules. Unlike some security software that can be invasive or suspicious, Malwarebytes has an excellent reputation in the cybersecurity community and is widely recommended by security professionals.
Quick Fact: Malwarebytes can detect and remove threats that many traditional antivirus programs miss. It was founded in 2008 and has since removed billions of malware infections from millions of computers worldwide.
Yes, malwarebytes.exe is completely safe when it's the genuine version from Malwarebytes Corporation. It's a legitimate security tool trusted by millions of users and cybersecurity professionals worldwide.
The real malwarebytes.exe is NOT a virus. It's legitimate anti-malware software designed to protect your computer. However, some malware may disguise itself with similar names to avoid detection.
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes\. Any malwarebytes.exe elsewhere (especially in Temp, AppData, or System32) is highly suspicious.Red Flags: Multiple malwarebytes.exe processes running, located outside Program Files, no digital signature, asking for unusual permissions, or consuming 100% CPU constantly are signs of malware impersonation.
malwarebytes.exe runs automatically because you have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed on your computer, and either you opened the application or have real-time protection enabled.
Reasons it's running:
Yes, you can disable or uninstall Malwarebytes. Since it's a third-party application you installed, you have full control over it. However, removing it will reduce your system's protection against malware.
If you remove Malwarebytes:
Warning: While you can remove Malwarebytes, it's generally not recommended unless you have another reliable anti-malware solution. Malwarebytes is designed to work alongside your antivirus for enhanced protection.
To temporarily disable real-time protection (Premium):
To prevent startup (Free version):
To completely uninstall:
If malwarebytes.exe is consuming excessive resources, here are common causes and solutions:
Quick Fixes:
1. Wait for active scans to complete (check the Scan tab)
2. Update to the latest version of Malwarebytes
3. Exclude trusted folders from scanning (Settings → Protection → Exclusions)
4. Schedule scans during off-hours when you're not using the PC
5. If using Free version, close Malwarebytes when not scanning
These scenarios are expected and don't indicate a problem:
No, malwarebytes.exe is NOT a virus. It's legitimate anti-malware software from Malwarebytes Corporation. However, verify it's located in C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\ and has a valid digital signature. Malware sometimes uses similar names, so check the file location and publisher to be sure.
High CPU usage (20-40%) is normal during active scans or when real-time protection is scanning files. If it's constantly high when not scanning, try updating Malwarebytes, excluding trusted folders from scans, or running a system scan to check for actual malware that might be interfering.
While you can uninstall Malwarebytes through Windows Settings or Control Panel, it's not recommended to delete malwarebytes.exe manually. Use the proper uninstall process to remove the application completely. Keep in mind that uninstalling removes an important security layer from your system.
Yes. You can disable Malwarebytes startup through Task Manager, turn off real-time protection in settings (Premium), or uninstall the application entirely. The Free version doesn't run in the background unless you open it manually. However, disabling it reduces your malware protection.
If you have Malwarebytes Premium with real-time protection, it starts automatically at Windows startup to provide continuous malware protection. The Free version may also start if you haven't disabled it in Task Manager's Startup tab. You can disable startup while keeping Malwarebytes installed for manual scans.
malwarebytes.exe is the main application and user interface, while mbamservice.exe is the Malwarebytes Service that runs in the background to provide real-time protection (Premium version). Both are legitimate processes from Malwarebytes. The service enables protection even when the main application is closed.
During scans, yes, Malwarebytes uses CPU and disk resources which may slow down your computer temporarily. However, when idle or with the Free version closed, it has minimal impact. The real-time protection (Premium) uses some resources but is generally lightweight. Schedule scans during off-hours if performance is a concern.