Install and activate Malwarebytes Premium

Malwarebytes Premium from Lizensa is a licence key. The program comes from Malwarebytes. This guide covers download, installation and activation on Windows.

What you received

Your order confirmation email contains a licence key for Malwarebytes Premium. If the email also shows a licence ID, keep it with the key. The same details are in your Lizensa account under My Library.

• No installer comes with the order. You download the app from Malwarebytes.
• The term is part of the product name. Malwarebytes Premium 12 months, 24 months and 36 months last as long as the name says. Malwarebytes Premium has no term in its name and is a perpetual licence in our catalogue.
• You can register the key in a Malwarebytes account. Malwarebytes recommends an account for a key from a reseller. With an account you can manage the subscription and your devices in one place.

Malwarebytes lists these requirements for Windows: Windows 11 or Windows 10, at least 4 GB of memory (8 GB preferred), 1 GB of free disk space, and S mode switched off. You need an internet connection to install, to activate and to update.

Get the software

Download the Windows app from Malwarebytes. The download link is in Malwarebytes' installation guide for Windows. Use only links on malwarebytes.com. The file is named MBsetup.exe.

Install

1. Double-click MBsetup.exe. If a window asks whether to allow the installation, select Yes.
2. In the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard, select Install.
3. Choose the device type. Personal is for a device you or your family own. Business is for a device owned by a company.
4. Select Next.
5. If product pop-ups appear, select Skip this step.
6. When the installation ends, select Open Malwarebytes.

Activate

Enter the key in the app

1. On the welcome page, select Activate now.
2. On the next screen, choose to use a licence key and enter the key from your email.
3. Select Activate.
4. When the app reports success, select Continue to Dashboard.

Add the key to a Malwarebytes account

1. Sign in at my.malwarebytes.com. Create an account first if you have none.
2. In the sidebar, select Manage Subscription.
3. Scroll down. Select Link an existing subscription, or + Add a subscription if the list is empty.
4. In the Register a license window, enter the key exactly as in your email. If your subscription came with a licence ID, tick the box and enter the ID.
5. Select Register.
6. In the app, open My subscription, select the three dots on your subscription card and Activate subscription, then Sign in. Enter the verification code Malwarebytes emails you and select Submit.

Check it worked

Open the app. Select the My subscription icon on the dashboard. Your Premium subscription is listed there. If it still shows the free version, repeat the activation.

If something goes wrong

Windows says "Not a verified Microsoft app". Malwarebytes has an article for this message. Download the file again from Malwarebytes, and make sure Windows is not in S mode.

The key is not accepted. Enter it exactly as written, without extra spaces. If your email also shows a licence ID, tick the box in the Register a license window and enter the ID as well.

The app asks for an account and you have none. Create one with your email address as described in step 1 above.

Activation fails offline. Malwarebytes needs the internet to install, activate and update. Connect the PC and try again.

Your PC runs Windows 7, 8 or 8.1. Malwarebytes no longer supports these versions. Use Windows 10 or 11.

Still stuck? Contact our support and include your order number and the exact message you see.