# AdwCleaner

Application: Malwarebytes

Also called adw cleaner, adware cleaner, malwarebytes adwcleaner

Malwarebytes, Security

A PUP and adware cleaner. You run adwcleaner.exe, clean, and close it. It is not the full Malwarebytes suite.

## What you need to know

adwcleaner.exe is a PUP cleaner. It is not Malwarebytes Premium.

AdwCleaner is a free Malwarebytes portable. You scan, clean, and quit. The full suite is a different download. HitmanPro is another second opinion. This tool does not replace Defender.

- **What is it?**: PUP cleaner you run and close

  **Same as Malwarebytes suite?**: No. Different download

  **Resident AV?**: No. Defender stays the engine

Feex says

If adwcleaner.exe is the only Malwarebytes file you have, I would treat it as a cleaner you run and close. It is not MBAMService.exe. I would still keep Windows Security as the resident engine.

## What is AdwCleaner?

AdwCleaner is a Malwarebytes PUP cleaner. adwcleaner.exe is the portable. The full Malwarebytes app is a different install.

## If you have never used it

If you wanted a one-shot adware cleaner, this is AdwCleaner, not the full Malwarebytes suite. Download it from malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner. adwcleaner.exe is often a portable you run, clean, and close. It is not a resident antivirus. MBAMService.exe is the other Malwarebytes product. It does not take the Defender slot. Two live AVs is not this tool's problem unless you also installed Premium.

## What is it used for?

**One-shot PUP cleanup**

Scan toolbars and leftover offers. Then close it. That is not a resident shield.

**Pre-clean before a browser reset**

People run this when a homepage hijack survives. It is not uBlock and not AdGuard desktop.

**Not the Premium suite**

If you wanted ongoing protection, that is Malwarebytes Desktop Security, not this portable.

## Who is it for?

- People cleaning a toolbar leftover
- Users who downloaded this and thought they installed Malwarebytes Premium
- Anyone who should not leave a random adwcleaner.exe in Downloads as "the AV"

## Current status

Actively offered as a free Malwarebytes tool. This article is the portable cleaner.

## How old is it?

AdwCleaner began in 2011 and Malwarebytes later acquired it. Current builds still sit as a free cleaner next to the full suite. A 2013 Xplode-era build is not the current Malwarebytes-signed exe.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

AdwCleaner portable

Full Malwarebytes (other product)

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per current Malwarebytes AdwCleaner notes |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Light portable. The scan follows the disk                           |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: During the scan only

  **Disk demand**: Walks common PUP locations

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| adwcleaner.exe | Portable cleaner. Not MBAMService.exe |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------- |

## Startup components

Should not start with Windows. If it does, you added a shortcut. Remove it.

## File locations

| Typical install | Wherever you saved the portable, often Downloads, or a Malwarebytes folder if installed |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

## Common problems

### People leave it as their only "AV"

It is not resident. Windows Security should still own realtime.

### Old unsigned copies in Downloads

Get a fresh copy from malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner. A 2014 exe next to other junk is the wrong file.

## Getting unstuck

### Download from malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner

The full suite is malwarebytes.com/mwb-download. Those are different buttons.

### Run, reboot if it asks, then delete or keep the portable

It should not stay as a Startup AV. Defender remains the engine.

### If you wanted resident protection, install the full Malwarebytes or stay on Windows Security

Do not stack Premium realtime plus Defender. The cleaner alone does not create that fight.

## Alternatives

Malwarebytes full suite if you want ongoing scans. HitmanPro for another on-demand pass. Windows Security as the resident engine.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner ](https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Help          | [support.malwarebytes.com/ ](https://support.malwarebytes.com/)Vendor support                                |
| Official site | [www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner ](https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner)Start here, not a random exe host |

## Related hardware

A scan is disk-heavy for a few minutes. Then the process should go away.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[HitmanPro: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/hitmanpro)[Malwarebytes: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/malwarebytes)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [AdwCleaner official site ](https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner)· Vendor product page
- [AdwCleaner help ](https://support.malwarebytes.com/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Malwarebytes

  **Category**: On-demand PUP cleaner

  **Process**: adwcleaner.exe

  **License**: Free portable cleaner from Malwarebytes

  **First released**: 2011

  **Official site**: [malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner](https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/adwcleaner/)

[Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)