Create a Custom scan in Malwarebytes for Windows and Mac

If you think that malicious files may be hiding in a specific folder or location on your device, consider running a Custom scan. This scan type allows you to choose exactly what and where to scan. If you want a comprehensive scan of your entire device, we recommend running a Threat scan instead. Depending on your customizations, the scan may take a while to complete. For more information on the scan types available to you, see Scan types in Malwarebytes for Windows and Mac.

Run a Custom scan

Create and run a Custom scan if you want to choose where Malwarebytes scans on your system and what folders and items should be searched.

To run a Custom scan on a Windows device:

1. Open the app.
2. On the Scanner tile, click the three dots, then click Advanced Scan.
3. In the pop-up screen, click Configure the scan.
4. On the Configure Custom Scan page, click the arrow in the file finder to show the drop-down, then click the checkbox for the folders you want to scan. 
5. Choose how PUPs and PUMs are treated if detected. We recommend always treating detections as malware.
6. Once configured, click Start Custom Scan.
7. The scan will begin automatically.

To run a Custom scan on a macOS device:

1. Open the app
2. On the main dashboard, click on the Scanner tile.
   Note: Do not click the Scan button, as this will start a Threat scan.
3. In the Scan tab, click Advanced scans.
4. In the pop-up window, click on the Custom Scan tile.
5. In the Finder window, select the folder, application, or directory you want to scan.
6. Click Open. 
7. The scan will begin automatically.

Schedule a Custom scan

We recommend running a scan weekly or whenever you download a new application. This keeps your computer running smoothly and protects your device. The feature to schedule scans is only available on the paid version of the app.

To schedule a Custom scan on a Windows device:

1. Open the app.
2. Under Security, click the Scanner tile.
3. On the Scanner page, click the Scan Scheduler tab.
4. Click Schedule a scan.
5. On the Schedule a scan page, choose Custom Scan.
6. On the Configure Custom Scan page, click the arrow in the file finder to show the drop-down, then click the checkbox for the folders you want to scan. Or, click Next to skip this step to have the app scan your entire device. 
7. Choose how PUPs are treated if detected. We recommend always treating detections as malware.
8. Click Next.
9. On the Schedule a Scan page, schedule the Start date, Start time, and Frequency.
10. Under Advanced options, keep Quarantine all threats on.
11. Select Restart computer to remove threats. The Quarantine all threats setting needs to be enabled for this setting to be turned on.
12. Keep Use Smart Scan on.
13. Click Save.

To schedule a Custom scan on a macOS device:

1. Open the app.
2. Click on the Scanner card on the main dashboard.
3. Click on the Scheduled scans tab.
4. Click Schedule a new scan.
5. On the Schedule a scan page, choose Custom scan.
6. Configure the scan name, start date, start time, and frequency.
7. Click Select folder(s) to open your Finder and search for the folders you want to scan.
   Note: If you see a pop up requesting access to your documents, click OK.
8. Under Advanced options, keep Quarantine threats automatically on.
9. Keep Ignore PUPs (Potentially unwanted programs) unchecked and off.
10. When finished, click Save.