During the last few years, "Malwarebytes" has become a popular and widely used malware detection and removal program. Most users have installed the free version. I too have been using it in my three computers, and have also installed it in many others. Among "missing" features in the free version, are automatic / scheduled Quick or Full scans for malware; and more often than not, many computer users forget to "schedule themselves" to perform regular periodic scans manually. But my concerns from recent experience go much deeper than scan scheduling.

As long as "Malwarebytes" is able to function with the most current malware definitions, it does effectively detect and can remove known malware threats! But, in my opinion, a fundamental disadvantage of the free version of "Malwarebytes" is that it does not actively check for malware during all times that a computer is on and connected to the Internet. So even if Full and/or Quick manual scans are done regularly at short intervals, most users do not realize (- or may ignore) the fact that the "Malwarebytes" free version does not actively / continually "watch" for potentially harmful malware that can enter their computer between scans. The only time(s) that free version users may discover malware issues, and then have the opportunity to eliminate threats that have not yet done any harm, is when they run the scans. Some "dormant" malware will only cause problems under conditions that may not yet have occurred in a given computer, while others start their harmful effects immediately in any computer at any time between scans.

During recent months, I have assisted three free version users to disable and then successfully eliminate the "Security Shield" and "System Tools" malware. Both of these malicious programs usually pop up at computer turn-on and are intended to "prove" that you have numerous serious computer problems. They then strongly encourage you to purchase their software on-line immediately to clear the problem. If you do that (- for about $70), you will get nothing in return, except a larger credit card bill. They and others like them can be very convincing, but are all fraudulent scams! Be aware that such malware also prevents you from being able to turn on "Malwarebytes" or similar programs that are meant to detect and remove malware. Cute, huh? So a user is stuck with the task of disabling such malware with other available or downloaded utilities, followed by scanning, detection and removal with "Malwarebytes". This can be very time-consuming, because the process may have to be repeated several times to clear the problem. If it cannot be cleared that way, at worst, the computer hard drive may have to be reformatted, followed by reinstallation of "Windows", all third-party program software and data. This is also a time-consuming task -- and costly for those who are unable to do so themselves.

I suggest that all current free version users, or new users, of the "Malwarebytes" program have malware detection and removal capability "working at the front door" of their computer, by getting the paid version at a single current price of only $24.95. (No, I don't work for the company.) In my opinion, the paid version is well-worth the cost to avoid the aggravation and time spent to manually disable, find and remove malware (- such as those mentioned above) the "hard way". If you have the free version now, just turn on the "Malwarebytes" program, click the "Purchase" button at the bottom of the main page, and carry out the purchase process. BUT -- BEFORE REGISTERING -- a few easy setting changes must be made in"Malwarebytes", so that it will not interfere with your anti-virus program functions; and also in your anti-virus program, so that it does not interfere with "Malwarebytes" functions, as follows:

A.  Set Exclusions for Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware in Microsoft Security Essentials on 32 bit Windows Versions:
1.  Open Microsoft Security Essentials and click on Settings at the top
2.  Click on Excluded processes on the left
3.  Click on the Browse... button
4.  Click on the + next to your primary hard drive (usually C:)
5.  Click on the + next to Program Files
6.  Click on the + next to Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
7.  Click once on mbam.exe and click on OK
8.  Repeat steps 3-7 for the following files:
      a.  C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
      b.  C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
9.  Click on the Add button
10. Click on Save at the bottom and click Continue if prompted Close Microsoft Security Essentials 

B. Set Exclusions for Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware in Microsoft Security Essentials on 64 bit Windows Versions:
1.  Open Microsoft Security Essentials and click on Settings at the top
2.  Click on Excluded processes on the left
3.  Click on the Browse... button
4.  Click on the + next to your primary hard drive (usually C:)
5.  Click on the + next to Program Files (x86)
6.  Click on the + next to Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Click once on mbam.exe and click on OK
7.  Repeat steps 3-7 for the following files:
         a. C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
         b. C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
8.  Click on the Add button
9.  Click on Save at the bottom and click Continue if prompted
10. Close Microsoft Security Essentials

C. Set Exclusions for Microsoft Security Essentials in Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
1.   Open Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and click on the Ignore List tab
2.  Click the Add button on the lower left
3.  In the small browse window that opens, navigate to C:\Program Files and click once on Microsoft Security Essentials and click OK
4.  Close Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

D. Set Exclusions for Microsoft Security Essentials 2.x in Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
1.  Open Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and click on the Ignore List tab
2.  Click the Add button on the lower left
3.  In the small browse window that opens, navigate to C:\Program Files and click once on Microsoft Security Client and click OK
4.  Close Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

After doing settings above, click the "Register" button at the bottom of the main page, and fill in the Product ID and Key provided at the end of the purchase process, to unlock the automated features. Lastly, set the "Malwarebytes" scanner settings to suit yourself, and you will be covered with real-time protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating.