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Free Malwarebytes
Dunnroamin
Posts: 2,437 Forum Member
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A couple of weeks ago the Malwarebytes, installed on my pc for a couple of years without problems, failed to remove the "Objects" that it had detected.
After three unsucessful attempts to get it to work, I gave up and uninstalled it. I then Googled Free Malwarebytes and clicked the DOWNLOAD button. The new version looked rather different to my previous version, and the name Malwarebytes also included the worfd Trial, but I felt sure I had installed the Free version.
Today, however, when I was about to do a scan, the Malwarebytes page informed me that this trial version was due to expire in two days time (so I had, stupidly, downloaded a trial version)....but, where did I go wrong, why didn't the so called free version turn out to be free? Which one of the various Google sites offering the free version for downloading, actually is the free version?
Hoping someone can help.
After three unsucessful attempts to get it to work, I gave up and uninstalled it. I then Googled Free Malwarebytes and clicked the DOWNLOAD button. The new version looked rather different to my previous version, and the name Malwarebytes also included the worfd Trial, but I felt sure I had installed the Free version.
Today, however, when I was about to do a scan, the Malwarebytes page informed me that this trial version was due to expire in two days time (so I had, stupidly, downloaded a trial version)....but, where did I go wrong, why didn't the so called free version turn out to be free? Which one of the various Google sites offering the free version for downloading, actually is the free version?
Hoping someone can help.
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One of the last notification boxes during the installation of the newer version of Malwarebytes includes a tickbox that is automatically ticked to turn your installation into a trial version of Malwarebytes Pro - you went wrong by not un-ticking it.
No magic Googling required, you just download from https://www.malwarebytes.org/ and make sure you read every box thrown at you during installation.
It is ticked by default and if you are not paying attention you get the trial instead of the free. Mind you I don't think it really matters as I suspect it just reverts to free anyway when the trial expires.
And always go to www.malwarebytes.org to download it. Then you are certain to get the real thing. Though be careful about this sneaky trial tick box.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
Click the "Free Version Download" but when installing, make sure that you UNTICK the box that invites you to install the Premium version Free Trial.
Or you could download it from https://ninite.com/ - it's listed under Security - and all it will install is the free version with no 'Enable Premium version trial' box to untick.
Ninite does it all for you just as it says it will do "Ninite installs apps for you in the background. No clicking next. We say NO to toolbars or other junk"
Yes AFAIK although there may be nag-screens during the trial period and after it ends
TBH, I'm sure the ninite site is fine but with security software I would really advise against obtaining it from anywhere except the official site.
If you uninstall it & reinstall it again, you are not presented with the screen that allows you to untick the trial, so you are back to square 1 with the big orange banner again.
Was there a thread on here about how to overcome this memory effect?
To cleanly reinstall, it looks like you need to download & run their own uninstaller first:-
https://helpdesk.malwarebytes.org/entries/25291497-How-do-I-uninstall-Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware-
I didn't notice this myself, but this link says that you can end the trial from within the program:-
http://techdows.com/2014/03/revert-to-malwarebytes-free-from-trial.html
I did a bit of research into this with the previous version. May or may not apply to the current version. The uninstaller leaves behind a number of files in various places, some of them in hidden folders.
As I recall there is a file left behind in either Users or Documents and Settings folder (depending on version of Windows) in a sub folder of the hidden user Local Settings\App Data folder that seems to be related to whether or not you get the "Enable free trial" tick box or not.
Basically if you trawl the computer for any Malwarebytes folder left behind and delete them all you should get rid of the offending file. There may also be some orphaned Registry entries which play a part in this as well that may need getting rid of. Usual caveats about mucking about in the registry without a guide dog apply
Don't think the previous version had the option to end the trial like the second link.
It's available here: http://unchecky.com/
To each his own but I've used it many times - and recommended to those that I know won't read installation options and wonder why they get toolbars etc.- with no problems at all.
This site reckons it's safe and clean http://malwaretips.com/threads/ninite-com-is-a-safe-site.21814/.
It's certainly a great time saver especially after re-installs
Malwarebytes doesn't trick anyone, the trial version can be ended without penalty. The new version is rubbish (2.0) the old one is better (1.75).
When it ends and we are forced to accept the new version, then I hope it is more mature than it is currently or we will be using another tool as the 'go-to'.
The options are there; deselect them.
As with all free software, be aware of tickboxes for things like unwanted toolbars during setup.
TH just downloaded much to the disgust of my virus scanner
What do you think is wrong with the new version?
I'm not a regular user of any of these things, but I did try the new version when I was asked to sort out someone else's PC recently, and it all seemed fine to me.
Is this in anyway related to your thread about Trovi?
I don't know of any applications called either Malawares or Malwares. There is Malwarebytes, the subject of this thread. But also as far as I am aware nothing called Malawarebytes, except as a typo for Malwarebytes.
Though I wouldn't put it past some unscrupulous so and so to use the name Malawarebytes as a trojan to infect computers by designing a Malwarebytes look alike to fool the unwary.
sorry I was being lazy and yes there is two one malawarebytes and the other malwarebytes. Perhaps you are right and one is a fake but both have what looks like genuine reviews. So today I shall download malwarebytes
Every reference I've found so far to Malawarebytes has been a typo for Malwarebytes. I am totally unable to find any software actually called Malawarebytes.
Exactly. On Cnet downloads a search for 'malawarebytes' gives you a link to FileAssassin.
Otherwise, a Google search just assumes you can't spell.
yes neither can I today? Unless am going nuts! I swear that is what I downloaded yesterday (and even read the reviews for both) which now explains why I was reinfected with trovi