Malwarebytes is a popular antivirus software that detects and removes malware from your Mac. While it is an effective tool for keeping your device safe, you may want to remove it for various reasons. Maybe you no longer need it, or you prefer a different antivirus program.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps of removing Malwarebytes from your Mac. We will cover the entire process, from uninstalling the software to deleting leftover files. Follow these steps carefully to ensure that you remove Malwarebytes from your Mac without leaving any traces behind.
Step 1: Quit Malwarebytes
The first step in removing Malwarebytes from your Mac is to quit the application. To do this, click on the Malwarebytes icon in the menu bar, then select Quit Malwarebytes. Alternatively, you can use the Command+Q keyboard shortcut to quit the application.
Step 2: Uninstall Malwarebytes
The next step is to uninstall Malwarebytes from your Mac. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Applications folder on your Mac.
- Locate the Malwarebytes app.
- Drag the app to the Trash or right-click on the app and select Move to Trash.
Once you have moved Malwarebytes to the Trash, you may be prompted to enter your administrator password to confirm the action. Enter your password, then click OK to continue.
Step 3: Delete Malwarebytes Files
Even after you have uninstalled Malwarebytes, there may still be leftover files on your Mac. These files can take up valuable disk space and may cause issues with other applications. To delete Malwarebytes files, follow these steps:
- Open Finder on your Mac.
- Click on Go in the menu bar.
- Select Go to Folder.
- Type in ~/Library in the search bar, then click Go.
- Locate the Malwarebytes folder and drag it to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash to permanently delete the folder.
It is important to note that the Library folder is hidden by default on Macs running macOS Sierra and later. To access this folder, press and hold the Option key while clicking on the Go menu in Finder.
Step 4: Remove Malwarebytes from Login Items
Malwarebytes may be set to launch automatically when you start up your Mac. To prevent this, you need to remove it from your Login Items. Follow these steps:
- Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select System Preferences.
- Click on Users & Groups.
- Select your user account.
- Click on the Login Items tab.
- Locate Malwarebytes, then click on the "-" button to remove it from the list.
Removing Malwarebytes from your Login Items ensures that it does not launch automatically when you start up your Mac.
Step 5: Restart Your Mac
Once you have completed the above steps, it is recommended that you restart your Mac. Restarting your Mac ensures that all changes are applied and that Malwarebytes is completely removed from your device.
After your Mac has restarted, you should no longer see Malwarebytes on your device.
Conclusion
Removing Malwarebytes from your Mac may seem like a daunting task, but it is a simple process that can be completed in a few easy steps. Follow these steps carefully to ensure that you remove Malwarebytes from your Mac without leaving any traces behind.
Remember to always have an antivirus program installed on your Mac to keep it safe from malware and other threats. If you decide to switch to a different antivirus program, ensure that you uninstall the old one properly to avoid any conflicts.
