If you've recently installed Malwarebytes but can’t seem to locate it, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many users install antivirus software like Malwarebytes only to ask later, “How do I locate Malwarebytes on my computer?” or “Where did it go?” Whether you installed it yourself or someone else set it up for you, learning how to find Malwarebytes on your computer is important for security, updates, and running scans.

In this complete guide, we’ll help you figure out how to locate Malwarebytes on your computer, how to verify that it’s working properly, and what to do if you can’t find it at all. Whether you’re using Windows or macOS, this walkthrough will show you how to find Malwarebytes on your computer with ease.

So, if you’ve been wondering, “Where is Malwarebytes on my PC?” or “How do I launch it?”—this guide will walk you through everything step-by-step. Let’s get into it.

Why You Might Need to Locate Malwarebytes on Your Computer

There are many reasons someone might want to locate Malwarebytes on their computer:

  • You installed it recently but don’t know where it is

  • It was pre-installed by a technician or friend

  • You want to run a scan or check for malware

  • You want to activate it with your key code

  • You want to check if it’s running in the background

  • You suspect it’s not working properly

In any of these situations, knowing how to find Malwarebytes on your computer saves time and helps ensure your device is protected.

Step 1: Check Your Desktop and Taskbar

The easiest place to start when trying to locate Malwarebytes on your computer is the desktop or taskbar.

Look for the Malwarebytes Shortcut Icon:

  • On your desktop, look for a blue “M” icon (the Malwarebytes logo)

  • Check your taskbar at the bottom of your screen—there may be a pinned shortcut there

  • On Windows, look near the system tray (bottom-right corner) for the Malwarebytes icon running in the background

If you find it, double-click the icon to open the application. If it’s not there, move on to the next step.

Step 2: Use the Start Menu Search (Windows)

The Start Menu is one of the quickest ways to find Malwarebytes on your computer, especially if you’re using Windows 10 or 11.

Steps:

  1. Click the Start button (Windows icon at bottom-left corner)

  2. In the search box, type “Malwarebytes”

  3. If Malwarebytes is installed, you’ll see “Malwarebytes” or “Malwarebytes Anti-Malware” appear in the list

  4. Click it to open the application

If nothing shows up, Malwarebytes might not be installed correctly or has been removed.

Step 3: Check Installed Programs or Applications

If you still can’t find it, it’s time to check whether it’s actually installed. This will confirm if you just need to locate Malwarebytes on your computer or if you need to reinstall it.

On Windows:

  1. Open Control Panel

  2. Click Programs > Programs and Features

  3. Scroll through the list and look for Malwarebytes or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

If you find it, it means Malwarebytes is installed, but you may need to re-create a shortcut or repair the installation.

On Mac:

  1. Open the Applications folder

  2. Look for Malwarebytes

  3. Double-click to launch it

Step 4: Check Running Background Services

Sometimes Malwarebytes is running silently in the background, even if you can’t see it on your desktop or taskbar.

On Windows:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

  2. Click on the Processes tab

  3. Look for Malwarebytes Service, mbam.exe, or MBAMTray.exe

If you see these running, Malwarebytes is actively protecting your system—you’ve just lost the shortcut or interface. You can fix this by creating a new shortcut from the installation folder.

Step 5: Locate the Malwarebytes Installation Folder

If you still can’t find the interface, you can locate Malwarebytes on your computer by going directly to its installation directory.

On Windows:

  • Default install location:
    C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\

Open this folder and look for mbam.exe (Malwarebytes main executable). Right-click it and choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut) so you can launch it easily in the future.

Step 6: Use the System Tray Icon

If Malwarebytes is active but hidden, it may be minimized in your system tray.

To access it:

  1. Click the ^ arrow on your taskbar (bottom right corner)

  2. Look for the Malwarebytes logo (blue M)

  3. Right-click and choose Open Malwarebytes

This gives you quick access to the dashboard, scan options, settings, and reports.

Step 7: What to Do If You Still Can’t Find Malwarebytes

If none of the above methods worked and you still can’t locate Malwarebytes on your computer, it may have been accidentally uninstalled or corrupted.

Steps to Fix:

  1. Reinstall Malwarebytes from the official website:
    https://www.malwarebytes.com

  2. Download and run the installer (MBSetup.exe)

  3. During setup, choose Install Malwarebytes for personal use

  4. Once installed, launch it and enter your license key if you have one

This will restore the program and create proper shortcuts so you can easily find it next time.

Bonus Tip: How to Create a Desktop Shortcut for Malwarebytes

To make future access easy, create a desktop shortcut.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes\Anti-Malware\

  2. Right-click mbam.exe

  3. Select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)

You’ll now be able to open Malwarebytes anytime from your desktop.

How to Pin Malwarebytes to the Taskbar or Start Menu

For quicker access, you can also pin it to your taskbar or Start menu.

To Pin to Taskbar:

  1. Open Malwarebytes

  2. Right-click the icon in the taskbar

  3. Select Pin to Taskbar

To Pin to Start Menu:

  1. Find Malwarebytes in the Start menu

  2. Right-click the name

  3. Click Pin to Start

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I find Malwarebytes after installing it?

You may have accidentally skipped shortcut creation, or Malwarebytes may be running in the background. Use the Start Menu or Task Manager to find it.

Is Malwarebytes running if I can’t see it?

Yes, Malwarebytes often runs silently in the background. You can check this via the system tray or Task Manager.

Can I reinstall Malwarebytes without losing my license?

Yes. As long as you have your license key, you can uninstall and reinstall Malwarebytes on the same or a new computer.

Does Malwarebytes show pop-ups or alerts?

Yes. If threats are detected, or updates are available, you’ll usually get a notification. If you're not seeing any, check your settings under Notifications.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to locate Malwarebytes on your computer is essential for keeping your system safe and secure. Whether you’re using it for the first time or reinstalling after a reset, learning to find Malwarebytes on your computer ensures you can run scans, apply updates, and manage your security settings effectively.

From using the Start Menu and system tray to locating the installation folder manually, there are multiple ways to access the software. And if it turns out that Malwarebytes is missing or corrupted, reinstalling it is quick and straightforward.

Once you’ve located Malwarebytes, consider pinning it to your desktop or taskbar so you never have to hunt it down again.

With these steps, you'll always be just a click away from powerful malware protection.