Malwarebytes won’t install, run or update – How to fix it

If Malwarebytes Anti-malware won’t install, run or update, then you’ve probably got malware or the effects of malware on the computer (some types of malware will disable Malwarebytes Anti-malware and other security tools). The following instructions is a guide that will help you to solve the most common problems when you install, run and update Malwarebytes.

1. Malwarebytes won’t install
   1. Before saving Malwarebytes Anti-malware rename it first
   2. Change Malwarebytes Anti-malware installation file extension
2. Malwarebytes Anti-malware won’t run
   1. Rename the main executable file
   2. Boot your computer in the Safe mode
   3. Log in Windows using a new created user account
   4. Run TDSSKiller
   5. Use Inherit.exe to fix inappropriate permissions
3. Malwarebytes Anti-malware won’t update
   1. Manually download and install Malwarebytes Anti-malware update
   2. Copy the Malwarebytes Anti-malware definitions (rules.ref) from a clean computer
4. Cannot use the Internet and download Malwarebytes Anti-malware

1. Malwarebytes won’t install

1.1 Before saving Malwarebytes Anti-malware rename it first

Once you have clicked to a download link you will see a Save dialog like below.

Change file name MBSetup.exe to explorer.exe like a screen below.

Then click on Save and save it to your desktop.

Double Click explorer to install the application.

Note: several good names that you can use: explorer.exe, iexplore.exe, firefox.exe, userinit.exe, myapp.exe or use any random name

1.2 Change Malwarebytes Anti-malware installation file extension

You need turn on “show file extensions for known file types” before doing it.

Click Start, then click Computer as shown below.

This will open a Computer screen.

Click to Organize and select Folder and Search options like a screen below.

After the new window appears select the View tab. You will see a window as shown below.

Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled “Hide file extensions for known file types” and press the Apply button and then the OK button. Now your computer is configured to show file extensions for known file types.

Right-click on an installation file (MBSetup.exe for Malwarebytes Anti-malware) and select Rename.

Next, replace .exe extension with .bat, .com, .pif, or .scr like a screen below.

Press Enter and then double-click on it to run.

2. Malwarebytes Anti-malware won’t run

2.1 Rename the main executable file

Click Start, type in Search field %ProgramFiles% (if you using Windows 2000/XP, Click Start, Run, then type in Open field) as shown below.

Press Enter. It will open a contents of ProgramFiles folder.

Next, open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware folder. Right-click on the mbam.exe file and select Rename option as a screen below.

Type explorer.exe and press Enter. Double-click on it to run.
Note: several good names that you can use: explorer.exe, iexplore.exe, firefox.exe, userinit.exe, myapp.exe or use any random name

2.2 Boot your computer in the Safe mode

• Restart your computer.
• After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
• Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear.
• Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.

Run Malwarebytes Anti-malware once again.

2.3 Log in Windows using a new created user account

• Click Start -> Settings -> Control panel.
• Click User Accounts and create a new account.
• Reboot your computer and login Windows using a previously created user account.

Run Malwarebytes Anti-malware or your security program.

2.4 Run TDSSKiller

Probably your computer is infected with TDSS trojan/rootkit. It may block various antivirus and antispyware programs from running.

Download TDSSKiller from the link below and unzip it to your desktop.
https://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.zip

Open tdsskiller folder and run TDSSKiller. Follow the prompts.

2.5 Use Inherit.exe to fix inappropriate permissions

Use this fix, when you see a box that states “Windows cannot not access the specified device, path, or file. You may have inappropriate permissions to access the item”.

Download the Inherit.exe tool from the following link:
https://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/MiniFixes/Inherit.exe

Save it next to mbam.exe (this file is located in the Malwarebytes Anti-malware home folder). Once done, drag and drop mbam.exe into Inherit.exe. Click OK and attempt to run Malwarebytes Anti-malware once again.

3. Malwarebytes Anti-malware won’t update

3.1 Manually download and install Malwarebytes Anti-malware update

• Download Malwarebytes Anti-malware updates from
  https://data.mbamupdates.com/tools/mbam-rules.exe
• Save it to your desktop.
• Double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.

3.2 Copy the Malwarebytes Anti-malware definitions (rules.ref) from a clean computer

You can update through MBAM’s interface from a clean computer, copy the definitions (rules.ref) located in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (Windows XP and 2000) or C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware\rules.ref (Windows Vista and Windows 7) from that system to a usb stick or CD and then copy it to the infected machine.

4. Cannot use the Internet and download Malwarebytes Anti-malware

You will need access to another computer that has a connection.

From the computer download and save a setup package (installation file) to a flash, usb, jump drive or CD. Now transfer it to the infected machine, then install and run the program.
If you cannot transfer to or install on the infected machine, try running the setup package (installation file) directly from the flash drive or CD by double-clicking on the file so it will install on the hard drive.