Keeping your Windows PC protected from viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other online threats is important, especially if you regularly download files, browse websites, or install new applications. Microsoft Defender Antivirus provides real-time protection on Windows, while Malwarebytes offers additional security tools that can help detect and remove potentially unwanted programs and other threats.
In general, you can use Malwarebytes and Windows Defender on the same computer. However, the way you configure them matters. If you install Malwarebytes with its real-time protection enabled, Microsoft Defender may change its antivirus status depending on your Windows version, Malwarebytes settings, and registration with Windows Security Center.
If your goal is to keep Windows Defender active alongside Malwarebytes, you should understand the difference between real-time protection and on-demand scanning. You should also check which antivirus program is currently protecting your computer before changing any settings.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to configure both tools, verify their protection status, run manual scans on Windows 10 or Windows 11.
How Both Programms Work Together?
Before changing anything, it’s helpful to understand how these programs work together. Microsoft Defender Antivirus can provide continuous, real-time protection when it is the active antivirus provider. Malwarebytes can also provide real-time protection when the appropriate paid protection features are enabled. Depending on your configuration, Windows may automatically place Defender in a passive or inactive antivirus state when another antivirus product registers with Windows Security Center.
This means you need to decide whether you want both programs to provide real-time protection or whether you want one program to provide real-time protection while the other performs manual scans.
The second approach is generally simpler to manage and is less likely to cause conflicts.
Run Malwarebytes and Windows Defender at the Same Time on Windows
To use Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender together, follow these steps:
- Install or update Malwarebytes from its official website and open the program.
- Check your Malwarebytes protection settings to see whether real-time protection is enabled.
- Open Windows Security and check the status of Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
- If Defender has been disabled as the primary antivirus, check whether your Malwarebytes configuration allows Defender to remain active.
- Use Microsoft Defender’s periodic scanning, if available and appropriate, to supplement another registered antivirus.
- Run manual scans with both programs at different times to check for threats.
- Update both security tools and confirm that their protection features are working correctly.
The exact options available may vary by Windows version, Malwarebytes subscription, and program version.
Avoid forcing two real-time antivirus engines to operate simultaneously through unsupported registry changes or other workarounds.
Let me explain in detail!
Step 1: Check Your Windows Version
First, confirm which version of Windows you’re running. This helps you follow the correct settings path and understand which options are available on your computer.
Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type winver into the box and press Enter. A small window will appear showing your Windows version and operating system build.
If you’re using Windows 11, most security settings are available through the Windows Security app. On Windows 10, the same general process applies, although some menu names may differ slightly.
You can also check for pending Windows updates before configuring your security software. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update on Windows 11, or Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update on Windows 10. Install available security updates and restart your computer if necessary.
Keeping Windows current helps ensure that Microsoft Defender and the Windows Security interface have the latest available improvements.
Step 2: Install and Update Malwarebytes
If Malwarebytes isn’t installed on your computer, download it from its official website. Open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Once the program opens, allow it to check for available updates. Updated malware definitions and application components help the program identify known threats more effectively.
Next, review your subscription. Malwarebytes Free primarily provides manual scanning and malware removal, while paid plans can include real-time protection and additional security features. The exact features depend on the version and subscription you have.
Open Malwarebytes and look for its Settings section, usually represented by a gear icon. Review the available protection options without turning off any security features unnecessarily.
If you’re using Malwarebytes only as an on-demand scanner, you can generally leave Microsoft Defender as your primary real-time antivirus. This setup allows you to run Malwarebytes scans whenever you want an additional check of your computer.
Step 3: Check Microsoft Defender’s Current Status
Now check whether Microsoft Defender Antivirus is active.
Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security on Windows 11. Select Open Windows Security, then choose Virus & threat protection.
On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
Look for the antivirus provider information. Depending on your version of Windows, select Manage providers or the equivalent provider-status option to see which security application is currently responsible for antivirus protection.
If Microsoft Defender is active, you should be able to review its real-time protection settings. If Malwarebytes is registered as your active antivirus, Defender may be disabled for continuous antivirus scanning.
Don’t assume that seeing the Windows Security app means Microsoft Defender Antivirus is actively providing real-time protection. The app can display information about multiple security providers even when only one is the active antivirus.
Step 4: Choose How Both Programs Should Work
This is the most important step because your preferred configuration determines which settings you should use.
If you want Microsoft Defender to provide real-time protection, keep Defender active and use Malwarebytes for manual scans when needed. This is a practical option if you have the free version of Malwarebytes or don’t need its continuous monitoring features.
If you want Malwarebytes to provide real-time protection, install and configure the appropriate Malwarebytes protection plan. Windows may automatically recognize it as the primary antivirus and change Defender’s status.
In some Windows configurations, you can enable Microsoft Defender periodic scanning while another antivirus is registered. This allows Defender to perform additional scans without making it the primary real-time antivirus. Availability and behavior can vary by system and product version.
To check whether this option is available, open Start > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and look for Microsoft Defender Antivirus options related to periodic scanning.
If you see the option, read its description before enabling it. If it isn’t available, don’t try to force it through registry edits or unsupported commands.
Remember, periodic scanning is not the same as running two real-time antivirus engines. If your goal is continuous protection from both products, check the current documentation for your Malwarebytes version and Windows configuration before changing anything.
Step 5: Review Malwarebytes Protection Settings
If you’re using Malwarebytes Premium or another plan that includes real-time protection, review the individual protection modules.
Open Malwarebytes > Settings > Protection. Depending on your version, you may see options for malware protection, ransomware protection, exploit protection, and web protection.
Leave the recommended protection features enabled unless you’re troubleshooting a specific compatibility issue. Also check the general settings to make sure Malwarebytes launches when Windows starts.
Malwarebytes documents that its real-time protection and other antivirus products can sometimes conflict, particularly when they use overlapping network filtering or security functions. Such conflicts may affect internet connectivity, application behavior, or system stability.
If you encounter these issues, don’t immediately disable several protection modules. First, identify the feature causing the problem and consult the relevant product’s support guidance.
You should also avoid adding broad exclusions to either antivirus program simply to make both appear active. An exclusion prevents the relevant security tool from checking specified files or folders in certain circumstances, which can reduce protection.
Step 6: Run a Microsoft Defender Scan
Once you’ve checked your configuration, try a manual scan with Microsoft Defender.
Open Start > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. If Defender’s scanning options are available, select Quick scan to check common locations where threats may be found.
For a more thorough examination, select Scan options > Full scan and then choose Scan now. A full scan can take considerably longer, depending on the number of files and the speed of your computer.
You can also scan an individual file. Open File Explorer, right-click the file, and select Scan with Microsoft Defender. On some Windows 11 systems, you may need to choose Show more options first.
If Defender reports that another antivirus provider is active and its own antivirus scanning isn’t available, don’t assume something is broken. Return to the provider settings and confirm which program is responsible for protection.
Step 7: Run a Malwarebytes Scan
After the Defender scan, open Malwarebytes and run a separate scan.
Select the Scanner or Scan option, depending on your application version. Start the recommended scan and allow it to finish. If the program detects suspicious files, review the results carefully before quarantining or removing them.
Malwarebytes may identify potentially unwanted programs, suspicious browser components, or other items that deserve further investigation. A detection isn’t always proof that a file is malicious, so check the detection details before restoring or deleting anything.
If Malwarebytes asks you to restart your computer to complete remediation, save your work and follow its instructions.
Running manual scans with both programs gives you an additional way to check for threats without requiring both antivirus engines to provide simultaneous real-time protection.
Step 8: Verify Protection and Keep Both Programs Updated
Finally, confirm that your selected security arrangement is working as expected.
Return to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and review the current antivirus provider and available protection settings. Then open Malwarebytes and confirm that its intended scanning or real-time protection features are operating.
Check for updates in both applications and install any available Windows security updates. If you notice repeated warnings, unusually high CPU usage, internet connection problems, or unexpected application crashes, investigate whether the security programs are conflicting.
Your goal is to maintain reliable protection, not simply to make both programs display an active status. One properly configured real-time antivirus combined with a second on-demand scanner can be a sensible way to add another layer of checking.
FAQs
Can I run Malwarebytes and Windows Defender at the same time?
Yes, you can install and use both programs on the same Windows computer. However, whether both can provide real-time protection depends on their configuration and the versions you’re using. A common setup is to keep Microsoft Defender as the primary real-time antivirus and use Malwarebytes for additional manual scans.
Does Malwarebytes automatically disable Windows Defender?
When Malwarebytes is registered with Windows Security Center as the active antivirus, Windows may change Microsoft Defender Antivirus to a passive or inactive state. The exact behavior depends on your configuration. Check Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage providers to see which antivirus is currently active.
Can I use Malwarebytes Free with Windows Defender?
Yes. You can use Malwarebytes Free for manual malware scans while Microsoft Defender provides continuous real-time antivirus protection. This arrangement is useful if you want a second scanner without purchasing another real-time security subscription.
Should I disable Windows Defender before installing Malwarebytes?
You generally don’t need to disable Microsoft Defender manually before installing Malwarebytes. Windows can manage antivirus provider status automatically. Avoid turning off Defender unless you understand how your computer will remain protected.
Why can’t I turn on Microsoft Defender real-time protection?
If another antivirus product is registered as the active provider, Windows may prevent Defender from operating as the primary real-time antivirus. Check your security provider status first. If you’ve removed the other antivirus but Defender remains inactive, restart your computer, install pending Windows updates, and check the status again.
Will running both programs slow down my computer?
It can, especially if both applications perform intensive scans simultaneously or their real-time protection features conflict. Running manual scans at different times can help reduce resource usage. If your computer becomes unusually slow, check Task Manager to identify which application is using the most CPU, memory, or disk resources.
Is it safe to disable Malwarebytes real-time protection?
Disabling real-time protection reduces the protection provided by that feature. If Microsoft Defender is confirmed to be active and working, you may choose to use Malwarebytes primarily for manual scanning. However, don’t disable one product until you’ve verified that another security solution is protecting your computer.
Final Words
Using Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender together on Windows can provide a useful combination of continuous antivirus protection and additional malware scanning. The key is understanding that installing both applications doesn’t necessarily mean both are actively monitoring your computer in real time.
For most beginners, keeping Microsoft Defender as the primary real-time antivirus and using Malwarebytes for occasional manual scans is a straightforward approach. If you have a Malwarebytes plan with real-time protection, review its compatibility with your Windows configuration and check whether Defender periodic scanning is available.
Keep both programs updated, review detection results carefully, and avoid unsupported registry changes or unnecessary security exclusions.
With the right configuration, you can maintain effective protection without introducing avoidable performance or compatibility problems.