malwarebytes and windows defender

Malwarebytes is NOT an Antivirus; it is Antispyware.

If you can not afford to buy an Antivirus get a free one.

Make ONE choice from these:

And the Antiviruses will disable Defender, which is the normal thing for them to do.

Malwarebytes free version works with them.

Bill Smithers — Microsoft MVP July 2013 — Dec 2020

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Windows Defender is antispyware. Malwarebytes is antispyware and malware scanner.
You need antivirus to protect the computer.

Here is what I use and recommend : (These are all Free versions and very effective.)

Avast and Prevx have proven extremely reliable and compatible with everything I have
thrown at them. Microsoft Security Essentials and Prevx have also proven to be very
reliable and compatible. Use MSE and Prevx or Avast and Prevx however not all 3.

Avast Home Free — stop any shields you do not need except leave File System, Web,
and Network running (Script and Behavior are also recommended in Ver 6+).

Prevx — Home — Free

Windows Defender (not needed if using MSE)

IE — Protected Mode

IE 8 — SmartScreen Filter ON (IE 7 Phishing Filter)

I also have IE to always start with InPrivate Filter active if IE 8.
(You occasionally have to turn it temporarily off with the little Icon on LEFT of the + bottom
right of IE)

Two versions of Avast are available 6.x and 4.8x

Avast 6.x — Home — Free — Stop the Shields you do not use (except File, Web, Network, &
Behavior) — double click the Orange Icon in Notification Area — Real Time Shields — click the
Shield you want to stop — STOP. To stop the Orange Icon from showing an error indicator —
click the Orange Icon — Upper Right — Settings — click Status Bar — uncheck the Shields you
disabled — click OK
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

Avast 4.8x — Home — Free — stop any shields you do not need except leave Standard, Web,
and Network running. (Double Click Blue icon — details next to OK. — upper left Shields —
Terminate those you do not use.)
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4

Prevx works well along side Avast or MSE

Also get Malwarebytes — free — use as scanner only. If you ever suspect malware, and that
would be unsual with Avast and Prevx running except for an occasional low level cookie
(no big deal), UPDATE it and then run it as a scanner. I have many scanners and they
never find anything of note since I started using this setup.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

Hope this helps.

Rob Brown — Microsoft MVP Rob Brown — past Microsoft MVP — Windows Insider MVP 2016 — 2021
Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT 2009 — 2020

Malwarebytes disabling Windows Defender in Windows 10

A user of Malwarebytes has posted on its forums that the program has some major issue with the Windows 10 the recent Feature Update. The user said that Malwarebytes is disabling Windows Defender program in Windows 10.

Malwarebytes deactivating Windows Defender

Regarding this issue, the user mentions in his post,

“I’ve just discovered that Malwarebytes has a serious problem with the new Windows 10 Professional Creator’s Update. When the main “Malware Protection” slider is engaged it instantly disables the built-in Windows Defender program until it’s turned off, at which time Windows Defender reengages and returns to normal. I’ve tested this on 2 different computers now and it’s the same across the board.”

Users are mainly worried about Malwarebytes directly affecting the Windows Defender program. Earlier, Malwarebytes and Windows Defender program were able to work together. And most importantly, Windows Defender is highly necessary for Windows machines, since it is Microsoft’s own antimalware and antivirus programs.

The user further mentions,

“This is very serious as I (and I think most of us) depend on Windows Defender and Malwarebytes working cooperatively with each other just like they’ve always done. There’s simply too much bad stuff out there to have to choose 1 over the other, so please Malwarebytes developers, jump on this like White on Rice. A new “exploit vector” absolutely can’t be allowed to be opened-up just as this huge new update is rolling out! We’ll all be awaiting your reply and hopefully speedy bug-fix for this.”

Another user said:

I also installed the Windows 10 Update today and noticed that Defender was not activated upon installing Malwarebytes. Prior to installing the Creators Update, I always enjoyed thinking that both Defender and Malwarebytes were working alongside each other.

Some other user on this forum suggested limiting the access to Malwarebytes features to all users on the system. This way, Malwarebytes won’t be able to disable Windows Defender Antivirus. However, this is against what Malwarebytes suggests. Ideally, it should be able to access all programs on the system, so as to detect the potentially hazardous program.

Stop Malwarebytes from disabling Windows Defender

To stop Malwarebytes from Disabling Windows Defender, open Malwarebytes > Settings > Applications tab.

Here scroll down and set Malwarebytes to Never register Malwarebutes in the Windows Action Center.

So we hope that Malwarebytes will fix the problem soonest. If you are also facing the similar issue with Malwarebytes impacting Windows 10 Creators Update, visit the Malwarebytes Forum to find a solution.

Date: April 10, 2017 Tags: Creators Update

[email protected]

Ankit Gupta is a writer by profession and has more than 7 years of global writing experience on technology and other areas. He follows technological developments and likes to write about Windows & IT security. He has a deep liking for wild life and has written a book on Top Tiger Parks of India.

do I need Malwarebytes if I use Windows Defender?

Replies (4) 

Hi Mary. I’m Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Yes, but I’d only use it for it’s on-demand scanner to occasionally check up on Defender. Same with AdwCleaner. These two are the most powerful on-demand scanners out there. https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

If you get infected more than once, I’d add Malwarebytes inexpensive Real Time protection in addition to Defender since they check for slightly different variations of infections. But that’s not necessary for most users. The two can conflict some, too. But you need an anti-virus and Malwarebytes is not that. It is a malware scanner, slightly different. And AdwCleaner is slightly different than that. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it’s resolved.

________________________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Windows MVP 2010-20

Over 100,000 helped in forums in 10 years
I do not quit for those who are polite and cooperative.
I will walk you through any steps and will not let you fail.

Windows Defender and Malwarebytes for windows 10

I have been unable to run a windows defender scan since 1/4/2018. I noticed there was an update on 1/8/2018. Is there away to re-install or repair windows defender without fresh install. I tried to download and install windows defender but was told a copy already exists.

I have Malwarebytes Pro antimalware installed and have never had an issue with it interfering with windows defender before.

[Original Title: Windows Defender for windows 10]

Replies (4) 

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From the first day I owned this computer, with windows 8 OS, to today when I have upgrade to windows 10 OS I have been able to run both windows defender and Malwarebytes together with no issues. That is until sometime after January 4, 2018 and the update from Microsoft.

And I believe Microsoft even updated windows defender in 2016 to allow another antivirus/antimalware program to run simultaneously.

I have real-time protection turned on for both program but I don’t run automatic scans. I try to run a Malwarebytes antimalware full scan daily because it runs so much faster than windows defender quick scan. If necessary I would run a quick scan with windows defender but not since January 4th.

do I need Malwarebytes if I use Windows Defender?

Replies (4) 

Hi Mary. I’m Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Yes, but I’d only use it for it’s on-demand scanner to occasionally check up on Defender. Same with AdwCleaner. These two are the most powerful on-demand scanners out there. https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

If you get infected more than once, I’d add Malwarebytes inexpensive Real Time protection in addition to Defender since they check for slightly different variations of infections. But that’s not necessary for most users. The two can conflict some, too. But you need an anti-virus and Malwarebytes is not that. It is a malware scanner, slightly different. And AdwCleaner is slightly different than that. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it’s resolved.

________________________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Windows MVP 2010-20

Over 100,000 helped in forums in 10 years
I do not quit for those who are polite and cooperative.
I will walk you through any steps and will not let you fail.