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PCUtilitiesWebWindows

What are the best free second-opinion malware-scanners for a Windows PC?

5

Options
Considered

9

User
Recs.

Jul 28, 2022

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

5 Options Considered

Best free second-opinion malware-scanners for a Windows PC	Price	Platforms	Last Updated
-- Malwarebytes	-	Windows, Mac, Mobile	Jul 28, 2022
-- Spybot	-	-	Oct 3, 2019
-- Hitman Pro	-	-	Feb 22, 2022
-- MalwareBuster AntiMalware for Windows	34.99	-	Apr 26, 2019
-- Virus Upload by virus total	0	-	Mar 22, 2019

Malwarebytes

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Top Pro

Antimalware

Antivirus is a specific term referring to well-known and established malware, meaning that you'll still remain vulnerable to new and unique malware if you use an antivirus. Malwarebytes is constantly updated to find newer and rarer malware. See More

Top Con

Free version lacks scan scheduling

Premium version of the software is required to schedule scans in advance. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows, Mac, Mobile

Top Pro

Doesn't ignore adware and toolbars

Malwarebytes removes toolbars that get bundled with software and adware that some other products keep. See More

Top Pro

Light resource usage

Top Pro

Free for manual scans

Offers a completely free scan and removal version for personal use. See More

Top Pro

Achieved a perfect score in a test performed by AV-TEST

In 2014 AV-TEST tested 7 different cleaning tools (along with 10 antivirus solutions) Malwarebytes was the only tool that was capable of completely removing and restoring the system. It was concluded by AV-TEST to be the best tool for removing malware from infected computers. See More

Top Pro

Simple setup

Spybot

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Top Pro

Free version provides background scanning

Unlike Malwarebytes, which reserves that feature for the paid tiers. See More

Top Con

Bad at removing found malware, especially rootkits

In a test performed by PCMag over half of malware that the tool attempted to remove was still running after the attempted cleanup. Rootkit removal often crashes other software. See More

Yanis's Experience

Good old tool but still around ! See More

Top Pro

Free for personal use

Basic functionality (includes malware removal) can be used for free for non-commercial purposes. See More

Top Pro

Provides pure spyware/malware detection and removal without redundant antivirus objectives

If you just want a second line of defense for sub-critical infections, this will do exactly that without trying to second guess your antivirus software as well. See More

Hitman Pro

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MalwareBuster AntiMalware for Windows

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Virus Upload by virus total

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Top Pro

Cache database

No need to upload a file if it's been uploaded by someone else, click and see the results instantly. See More

Top Con

Size limitation

File size is limited, and the site printed size limits is inaccurate. It appears to be random. Size restrictions range from 5 megabytes to 50 megabytes max, or higher. See More

Top Pro

All in one

Scans single files with multiple virus engines to verify and give second, third, fourth... opinions on the file. See More

Top Con

Slow

Using the desktop upload service is slow. Your upload is queued up and you need to wait. As one of the more popular services of this type, the waits can be from a few seconds to a few minutes. See More

Top Pro

No file type limitations

Can scan any file in any format See More

Top Pro

Free

Totally free See More

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