Malwarebytes is one of the most popular antivirus software available in the market. It is designed to detect and remove various types of malware including viruses, trojans, spyware, adware, and rootkits. Malwarebytes is known for its quick scan time and excellent malware detection rate.
However, sometimes malware can be so stubborn that it cannot be removed in normal mode. In such cases, you may need to use safe mode to remove the malware. But the question is, can you use Malwarebytes in safe mode? The answer is yes, you can use Malwarebytes in safe mode.
What is Safe Mode?
Safe mode is a diagnostic mode of a computer operating system. In safe mode, only the essential system files and services are loaded. This mode is designed to troubleshoot and fix problems that occur during regular booting of the operating system.
In safe mode, most of the drivers and services that may cause conflicts or problems are disabled. This makes it easier to diagnose and fix problems that occur during normal booting. Safe mode is also used to remove malware that cannot be removed in normal mode.
How to Boot into Safe Mode?
Booting into safe mode is different for each operating system. Here are the steps to boot into safe mode for Windows 10:
- Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Click on the Power button.
- Hold the Shift key and click on Restart.
- After the restart, select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click on Restart.
- Press F4 to boot into safe mode.
Using Malwarebytes in Safe Mode
When you boot into safe mode, only the essential system files and services are loaded. This means that you can use Malwarebytes to scan and remove malware that cannot be removed in normal mode.
To use Malwarebytes in safe mode, follow these steps:
- Boot into safe mode.
- Download and install Malwarebytes if you haven't already.
- Open Malwarebytes.
- Click on the Scan button.
- Select the type of scan you want to perform.
- Click on the Start Scan button.
- Wait for the scan to complete.
- If any malware is detected, click on the Quarantine button.
- Restart your computer in normal mode.
Limitations of Using Malwarebytes in Safe Mode
Using Malwarebytes in safe mode has some limitations. Some of these limitations are:
- No internet access: In safe mode, there is no internet access. This means that you cannot download updates or definitions for Malwarebytes.
- Limited functionality: In safe mode, some of the features of Malwarebytes may not work as expected.
- No real-time protection: In safe mode, Malwarebytes cannot provide real-time protection against malware.
- Not all malware can be removed: Some malware is so stubborn that it cannot be removed in safe mode.
Conclusion
Using Malwarebytes in safe mode is an effective way to remove stubborn malware that cannot be removed in normal mode. However, it has some limitations, such as no internet access, limited functionality, and no real-time protection. If you are having trouble removing malware in normal mode, booting into safe mode and using Malwarebytes may be the solution you need.