A New MB-Clean Tool Released

MB-Clean 2.4.1.1000 Released.

What is mb-clean.exe?

mb-clean.exe (aka Malwarebytes Cleanup Utility) is a tool developed by Malwarebytes to assist in fully removing the following products:  

  • All versions of Malwarebytes 3.x
  • All versions of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.x 
  • All versions of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.x
  • All versions of Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit 1.x

Note: mb-clean.exe will eventually replace the legacy version of "mbam-clean.exe".

 https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/196955-malwarebytes-mb-clean-tool/

Actually, the new mb-clean tool does keep your license and after a restart offers to download the latest version, which does activate with your current key.

Hello - I read the info you posted, Jim (PhoneMan) but, I can't open my MWB 3.1.2 in order to follow this step:

  • Warning:  We also recommend deactivating the product before running the tool. Refer to the links under "Helpful Resources" for detailed instructions.

At least,  I'm assuming that the Helpful Resources area is located within the product since I can't find it anywhere else on their website.  

My issue is that I can't open MWB at all.  I want to delete it and reinstall it.  Why, oh why, don't they have a Remove & Reinstall product for MWB that we can download?  Can anyone help me do this?

Thanks;

Laura

Hi Flo,

No, as far as I know it it a stable release.

Hello Krusty

I haven't been in here for a while. Is this MB Clean a beta?

Thanks.

MB-Clean 3.1.0.1002:

  • Added support for Malwarebytes 3.1
  • Added option to install Malwarebytes 3.x after performing a clean up of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.x
  • Added ability to preserve license key information from Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.x clean up
  • Added the ability to perform post reboot clean up if the computer is running on battery power
  • Added enhancements to the clean up process for corrupted or incomplete installs
  • Added version of the tool in the log output
  • Added indicator for successful product installations performed after clean up
  • Added additional logging if a user cancels the download for Malwarebytes 3.x 
  • Fixed logging issue with usernames that contains a space
  • Fixed typos in the log output 

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/196955-malwarebytes-support-tools/?do=findComment&comment=1116748

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/197338-new-mb-clean-tool-not-removing-all/  no

Here is the recommended procedure for mb-clean.

What do I need to know before running mb-clean.exe?

  • Warning: It does not backup the license activation key. Please make sure to backup or obtain the license activation information before running the tool in order to restore paid versions.
  • Warning: We also recommend deactivating the product before running the tool. Refer to the links under "Helpful Resources" for detailed instructions.
  • It does not clean Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Mobile
  • It does not reinstall or repair a product; this can to be done manually after cleanup

What are the steps to use mb-clean.exe?

  1. Download the latest version: https://downloads.malwarebytes.com/file/mb_clean
  2. Close all open applications 
  3. If applicable, backup your license key and deactivate the product
  4. Double-click mb-clean.exe to run it
  5. A prompt to confirm the cleanup will appear, select “Yes” or “No”
    • Yes - will proceed with the cleanup process
    • No - will exit the utility
  6. Utility will launch a Command Prompt window which will disappear once the the cleanup process completes. 
  7. Once completed, a log file ("mb-cleanresult.txt") will be on your desktop and you'll be prompted to reboot
    • We recommend an immediate reboot
    • Suppressing the reboot may result in an incomplete cleanup
  8. Upon reboot, your machine will be free of the supported products mentioned above and ready for re-installation of Malwarebytes

There is also a MB-Check tool and I am wondering what it will show AFTER mb-clean has been run. It also saves a text file to the desktop. I am planning of removing MB 2 and installing MB 3 on a test system this weekend and will probably run the MB-check tool before and after MB-clean to see the difference.

http://downloads.malwarebytes.org/file/mb3_check 

Jim cool

Thanks bjm -- I keep forgetting about logs!

Anyone remember the early Windows, or was it DOS, utility that would compare two files like those logs and flag differences -- missing or added? Is there something similar for today's Windows?

In addition to what is discussed here I want to compare the network startup files -- I've a better note somewhere of what the real name is -- for two desktop configurations on my Windows 7 PC.

Boot to my desktop from the WINKEY L choice of users and the internet is accessible.

Boot to Dottie's first and you can't access the internet ..... unless you switch to my desktop, check that you can access the desktop, and then switch back to Dottie.

Also sometimes after a shut down when it's on Dottie's desktop it will startup going to her desktop -- that I think would likely be the Fast Startup setting but that's not in Windows 7 so .....  ?

Yeah, it leaves a log on the Desktop as per bjm's post.

FWIW

I imagine it doesn't give any indication of what it has removed, or not, at either kind of run?

I've noticed with this new version if you run it after MB 3 has been removed already you aren't prompted for a restart.  I don't know what that means though.

K

 I was struggling to create a clean install until I used REVO Uninstaller Pro.

My first choice tool ......

Fascinating what they find left (although it is before restarting) when they scan after the program's tool has first been run by Revo.

I wish I had the Pro Revo and understood how to work it's Hunter mode which doesn't need the initial step of finding an installed program.

I wonder if the program's cleanup tool works after partially uninstalling .... probably an advantage?

There was something rather stubborn not being removed by this new tool on one of my machines.  I was struggling to create a clean install until I used REVO Uninstaller Pro.  That seemed to have removed something their cleanup tool couldn't and now MB 3.0.6 is up and running on all of my machines.

As always, your mileage may differ.

Thanks, Krusty !  yes