Uninstalling Malwarebytes on Windows and Mac

Malwarebytes is a security tool that scans for and removes malicious software. If you no longer want it running on your computer, you can remove it completely through your operating system's standard uninstall process. The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, but both take about five minutes.

On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps, find Malwarebytes in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will walk you through removing the program and its files. On Mac, open Applications, find Malwarebytes, drag it to the Trash, then empty the Trash. Mac's process is simpler because applications are more self-contained.

After uninstalling, restart your computer. This clears any remaining background processes and confirms the removal is complete. If you plan to reinstall Malwarebytes later, the restart also ensures a clean installation.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, use Settings > Apps to find Malwarebytes and click Uninstall; on Mac, drag the Malwarebytes icon from Applications to Trash.
  • Restarting your computer after uninstalling ensures all background processes stop and confirms the removal is complete.
  • If Malwarebytes won't uninstall normally, restart in Safe Mode (Windows) or Recovery Mode (Mac) and try again.
  • Uninstalling Malwarebytes does not remove other security tools like Windows Defender; you can run multiple scanners if needed.

Windows: Step-by-Step Uninstall

On Windows 10 or 11, click the Start button and type "Settings" into the search box. Open Settings, then select Apps from the left menu. Scroll down to find Malwarebytes in the list of installed programs. Click on it once to highlight it, then click the Uninstall button that appears.

A confirmation window will open asking if you want to remove Malwarebytes. Click Uninstall again. Windows will remove the program files and any shortcuts. This usually takes one to two minutes. When it finishes, you may see a message asking whether to restart your computer — click Yes to restart now, or you can restart later.

If you cannot find Malwarebytes in the Apps list, it may have been installed in an older way. Try opening the Control Panel instead: click Start, type "Control Panel," open it, select Programs, then Programs and Features. Look for Malwarebytes there and click Uninstall.

Mac: Step-by-Step Uninstall

On Mac, open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Scroll through the list until you see Malwarebytes. Click it once to select it, then either drag it to the Trash icon in your dock or right-click it and select Move to Trash. The application is now removed from your Applications folder.

To fully clean up, empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon and selecting Empty Trash. This permanently deletes the Malwarebytes files from your computer. Restart your Mac to ensure all processes have stopped.

Some Mac users prefer to use an uninstaller app like AppCleaner, which removes not only the main application but also any support files Malwarebytes may have left behind. This is optional — dragging to Trash works fine for most users.

What to Do If Uninstall Fails

Sometimes Malwarebytes will not uninstall through the normal process because the program is still running in the background or another process is using its files. The first step is to restart your computer in Safe Mode, which loads only essential system files and stops most programs from running.

On Windows, restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly as it boots up (or hold Shift while clicking Restart in Settings on Windows 10/11). Select Safe Mode from the menu. Once in Safe Mode, repeat the uninstall steps above. Safe Mode prevents Malwarebytes from running, so the uninstall should succeed.

On Mac, restart and hold Command + S while the computer boots. This starts Recovery Mode. Open Utilities from the menu, then Terminal, and type the command to remove Malwarebytes. If you are not comfortable with Terminal, restart normally and try dragging the application to Trash again — it usually works on the second attempt.

Malwarebytes Files That May Remain

Even after uninstalling, Malwarebytes may leave behind small files in hidden folders. These are usually settings, logs, or cache files that take up minimal space and do not affect your computer's performance. Most users do not need to remove them.

If you want to delete these files manually on Windows, open File Explorer, click View at the top, and check "Hidden items." Navigate to C:\ProgramData and look for a Malwarebytes folder. You can delete it. On Mac, open Finder, press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files, navigate to /Library/Application Support, and delete the Malwarebytes folder if it exists.

Removing these leftover files is entirely optional and makes no practical difference unless you are trying to free up disk space or plan to reinstall Malwarebytes fresh.

Reinstalling Malwarebytes Later

If you uninstall Malwarebytes and later decide you want it back, you can download it again from the official Malwarebytes website. The reinstall is straightforward — download the installer, run it, and follow the on-screen prompts. Your previous settings will not carry over, so you will set up the program as if it were new.

Before reinstalling, make sure your computer has enough disk space (Malwarebytes requires about 500 MB) and that you have administrator access to install software. If you are on a work or school computer, you may need permission from your IT department.

Other Security Tools and Malwarebytes

Uninstalling Malwarebytes does not remove Windows Defender (on Windows) or the built-in security features on Mac. These operate separately and will continue to protect your computer. Many people run Malwarebytes alongside Windows Defender because they catch different types of threats.

If you are removing Malwarebytes because you want to use a different security tool, you do not need to wait — you can install the new tool before or after uninstalling Malwarebytes. There is no conflict between having both installed at the same time, though running multiple real-time scanners can slow your computer slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling Malwarebytes leave my computer unprotected?

No. Windows includes Windows Defender, and Mac includes built-in security features. Both run automatically and provide baseline protection. Malwarebytes is an additional layer that catches threats the built-in tools might miss, so removing it means you lose that extra layer but not all protection.

Can I uninstall Malwarebytes if it found a threat?

Yes. If Malwarebytes detected malware, it has already quarantined or removed it. Uninstalling the program does not undo that cleanup. The threat is already handled, and you can safely remove the tool.

What if Malwarebytes is stuck and won't uninstall?

Restart your computer in Safe Mode, which stops Malwarebytes from running in the background. Then try uninstalling again through Settings or Control Panel. If it still fails, restart normally and try a second time — the issue is usually temporary.

Does uninstalling Malwarebytes delete my scan history?

Yes. When you uninstall Malwarebytes, its scan logs and history are removed. If you need to keep records of past scans, take screenshots or export the information before uninstalling.

Can I uninstall Malwarebytes if I have a paid subscription?

Yes. Your subscription is tied to your Malwarebytes account, not to the program itself. You can uninstall the program and keep your subscription active. If you reinstall later, you can log back in with the same account and your subscription will still be valid.