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Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
Using Windows Defender. I would like to try the Free version of Malwarebytes.
Would appreciate any feedback from those that are using:
Is there a portable version?
Appears the Free version scans and will remove, but no real time running protection – correct?
Any known problems with the product?
Does it uninstall cleanly if want to remove?
but what is that “dude above say wrong?”
Note that this forum is not about software for mobile phones, it’s about browser and desktop software.
The OP is asking if there is a portable (i.e. does not have to be installed) version of Malwarebytes, not a mobile phone version.
Using Windows Defender. I would like to try the Free version of Malwarebytes. Would appreciate any feedback from those that are using:
I’ve been using the free version along with Defender for years. Works fine.
Is there a portable version?
Not that I know of.
Appears the Free version scans and will remove, but no real time running protection – correct?
correct.
I haven’t had any problems with it over the years. Don’t know about uninstalling it as I haven’t tried but if I wanted to uninstall, I would just use REVO free portable.
Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does 
All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).
I’ve used malwarebytes for years, on the advice of my daughter, who works as an IT for the county. Works well and have never had any issues.
For years I’ve used Malwarebytes Premium (snagged several lifetime licenses early on) in conjunction with both Defender and it’s predecessor w/o issue and I’ve never had an infection. For the last 6 months I’ve been using MB as my main vs secondary AV on my test machine w/o issue also.
HTH 
For years I’ve used Malwarebytes Premium (snagged several lifetime licenses early on) in conjunction with both Defender and it’s predecessor w/o issue and I’ve never had an infection. For the last 6 months I’ve been using MB as my main vs secondary AV on my test machine w/o issue also.
HTH
Right you are. When you let the registered version of MalwarebytesAntimalware
register in the protection center of Windows10, than it takes over the Windows Virus and Malware apps. Works great, for shure with the browser-addon (seperately to in install from the addon-store of Firefox or Chrome)
xx
May I assume that the “Free” version will not perform this “take-over” of Windows Defender,
Yes, you may assume that. The free version runs when you ask it to or you can set a schedule.
Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does
All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).
Fred, I also use Malwarebytes free version “for a second opinion”, every time after I have made a scan of the Mac SSD with my own AV (Webroot SecureAnywhere). Do you know if the paid version of MB also takes over one’s AV when using a Mac?
Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).
MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV
Fred, I also use Malwarebytes free version “for a second opinion”, every time after I have made a scan of the Mac SSD with my own AV (Webroot SecureAnywhere). Do you know if the paid version of MB also takes over one’s AV when using a Mac?
@OscarCP sorry, I do not have the means and knowledge to answer this for sure. I know MBAM from the beginning , in the mean time they have quite a reputation to protect; please write to the helpdesk or ask in the forum. To me they made good ajustments in the program when I had an important issue with MBAM vs Symantec-PGP-desktop.
NO, I am not on their payroll or am I connected to them, if people want to know
As far as I can tell when you wish to use a good independant [virus-malware-guard +behaviour +firewall] “complete protection”, try Kaspersky.
(Beware, this not any protection against human failure and 0day/backdoor crime) 
My only caution for Malwarebytes is with the Premium version is to be cautious about being an earlier updater when there is a Full point upgrade. In the move from 3.xx to 4.xx some problems were reported.
I had NONE, however, I usually go to their website and look for the offline full installer rather than use the installer stub that downloads the full program.
I used to use the portable free version and it found lots of things on a friends PC, courtesy of her son downloading videos and music from dodgey sources that offered “Download Managers”. It always worked very well cleaning the [garbage] and background stuff that slowed her machine to a crawl. That was why I upgraded to a Premium 3-seat license back in Version 2.xx. It still renews at that price.
I also use the MWB Browserguard extension for Firefox on both Windows and our Linux machines. Like they commercial says, don’t leave home without it.
Do you mean somebody else changed
.Yes OscarCP, that is exactly what I wrote to you; and it is not the text that I wrote here. So this text was altered 
. If you want I can proof it. The world is falling apart and trust is fading away, and caring for another seems to have become old fashioned .
In your case it seems ok to use the limited free version, I recon. Though, once I had a new CEO and he stated that with his personal private protection habits he never noticed anything wrong at his private pc’s… I just asked him if this were correct criteria to to think it’s okay, and proofed him that a commercial network is different to approach.
Thank you for sharing your Mac-experiences. Regards
I use the free edition on one Mac and Premium on another Mac. Also used the free edition on Windows before.
It’s great for supplemental protection to another antivirus tool such as Defender. The free version is totally on-demand (no real-time scanning), but it should be good enough for your needs.
Nathan Parker
The Trial is the FULL version that runs for 30 days and acts like the FULL version for that time, turning off WD because you don’t want two FULL time A/Vs running in the background..
You can TURN OFF the Trial (Full) version in the SETTINGS immediately after install. Then it acts like the FREE version and not the FULL version.
Yes, Tex265, CADesertrat is right. Only the payd version can take over the Defender if you want it to.
Maybe I’m reading the Malwarebytes site incorrectly, but it seems that the current Free version does take over and turn off Windows Defender for the trial period of 30 days, then “supposidly” turns it back on.
Can someone confirm my reading? And is there a way during installation to not have it take over Windows Defender?
@Tex265 : when you let MalwareBytesAM NOT register in the Windows Security Center than you have Windows Defender active aswell. You can change these settings, and needs a reboot to settle. They work together without problem, but in some cases there is some delay, mostly because they both use the “cloud-checking” and Microsoft is sending a lot of info home.
.
.
So upon installation, you have to allow the program to turn off and take over Windows Defender? Then you can go into the program and turn it off which hopefully will restore back Windows Defender – correct?
Or do you get an option to select during program installation?
I have been using Malwarebytes Premium for years, with several lifetime licenses (which is no longer available). I do not use the newer subscription model, so I can’t comment on that. However, the lifetime license model has not been abandoned and it continues to be updated regularly. I am currently running version 4.2.0.82, with a signature update today at 8:38 AM.
The version I am using does not turn off Windows Defender, but supplements AV/AM protections, and the two work very well together. I have had no issues other than the occasional blocking of a website on Firefox for malicious content, and certainly no incentive to “upgrade” to a yearly subscription model.
Barry writes: “First it was the fact that it stated forcing you into the 14 day pro trial whether you wanted it or not and now taking over your anti-virus without giving you a chance to opt out first”
I have had installed and been using the free version of Malwarebytes for nearly half a year now in my Mac and it has not done any of that. Perhaps Barry is referring to his experience at some earlier time. Or could this be a problem for those who use Windows 10?
Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).
MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV
In the Settings, you can immediately disable the 14-day trial on install to give you the Free version. You are not forced into a 14-day trial.
Alex “Of course you do. NEVER run 2 real time A/Vs at the same time.”
I have Malwarebytes and Webroot SecureAnywhere in my Mac and, in agreement with Alex, that is something I never do — and it is also very easy to avoid doing, as long as one also makes sure that the Webroot, in my case, is not already scanning something “in real time” when I want to start scanning with Malwarebytes, whose free version only works “on demand”: when one makes it scan by clicking on its icon to launch a new scan. So what one has to do depends on whether the AV one uses work on demand or in real time.
“
Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).
MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV
Under Accounts you can Deactivate the Trial. I have done it multiple times on my Win10. Where this one says “Activate” it will say Deactivate”
Yours says “Activate” like mine b/c it is DEACTIVATED like mine.
Notice mine is the Free version – I deactivated the Trial after install.
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