Malwarebytes for Windows detects Potentially Unwanted Modifications (PUMs) to help prevent software from making unauthorized changes to the Windows settings on your computer. PUMs are not always harmful, but they can change the way your computer behaves. You can research more about PUMs on our blog, Malwarebytes Labs.
PUMs can prevent you from doing common tasks such as:
- opening your Start Menu
- performing updates
- viewing File Explorer
- using Task Manager
When PUM is detected on your computer, Malwarebytes for Windows does not know whether or not it was authorized. Optimization software, malware, and Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) are known to make these types of changes, hence they are regarded as potentially unwanted.
Ignore a Potentially Unwanted Modification
To have Malwarebytes for Windows ignore a PUM, you must add the PUM as an exclusion.
- Open Malwarebytes for Windows.
- Click Settings, then click the Protection tab.
- Scroll down to the bottom.
- Turn off Automatically quarantine detected malware.
Turning this setting off prevents Malwarebytes for Windows from quarantining the PUM automatically.
- Go to the Dashboard, then click Scan Now.
- When the Threat Scan Results appear, uncheck the box next to the detected PUM you want to keep.
- Click Next.
- On the Remaining Items window, click Ignore Always to add the exclude the detected PUM(s).
- Turn on Automatically quarantine detected malware.
To find this setting, click Settings > Protection.
When a PUM is excluded, Malwarebytes for Windows does not detect the PUM during scans or Real-Time Protection. To add, edit, or delete exclusions, refer to the article Add exclusions to Malwarebytes for Windows.