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 the Settings
button, then select the Security tab. - Scroll down to Potentially unwanted items.
- In the drop down next to Detect Potentially Unwanted Modifications (PUMs), select Ignore Detections.
Turning this setting off prevents Malwarebytes for Windows from quarantining the PUM automatically. - Go to the Dashboard, then click Scan.
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 Exclude detections in Malwarebytes for Windows.