AdwCleaner - Free Download (2026)

Name: AdwCleaner
Availability: InStock
Author: Malwarebytes

AdwCleaner - Adware Removal Tool

AdwCleaner is a free malware removal tool now owned by Malwarebytes. It targets adware, browser hijackers, unwanted toolbars, and PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) that sneak in with other software installations. The program is portable - no installation needed - and weighs under 10 MB. Run it, scan, clean, done.

It works on Windows 7 through 11 and is meant as a one-time cleanup tool rather than a resident antivirus. You run it when something feels off - your browser homepage changed, you see extra toolbars, or ads appear where they shouldn't.

What it does

Click "Scan Now" and AdwCleaner checks your installed programs, browser extensions, registry entries, scheduled tasks, and startup items against its database of known adware and PUPs. The scan takes a minute or two on most systems.

After scanning, you see a list of detections grouped by category. Review the results - occasionally it flags legitimate software as a PUP - then click Next to quarantine everything checked. Quarantined items can be restored later if something stops working.

The browser reset option (Settings > Reset browser) forces Chrome, Firefox, or Edge back to factory defaults - useful when a hijacker has changed your search engine or homepage and the normal settings page doesn't let you change it back.

Advantages

Free with no feature restrictions
Portable - runs from USB drive without installing
Fast scan, usually under 2 minutes
Good at catching things traditional antivirus misses

Drawbacks

Not a replacement for real-time antivirus protection
Occasional false positives on legitimate software
No scheduled scanning - you have to run it manually
Windows only

Who it is for

AdwCleaner is what you grab when a family member's PC has mysteriously acquired three new browser toolbars and a different search engine. It complements your regular antivirus rather than replacing it. Keep it on a USB drive for emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AdwCleaner free?

Yes. AdwCleaner is completely free with no paid tier or feature restrictions. It is developed by Malwarebytes.

Is AdwCleaner safe?

Yes. AdwCleaner is made by Malwarebytes, a reputable security company. Download it from the official Malwarebytes website to avoid fake copies.

Does AdwCleaner replace antivirus?

No. AdwCleaner is a one-time scanner for adware and PUPs. It does not provide real-time protection. Use it alongside your regular antivirus, not instead of it.

Does AdwCleaner need to be installed?

No. AdwCleaner is portable - just download the EXE and run it. No installation required. You can run it from a USB drive.

Features & How-To Guide

#	Feature	How to use
1	Adware scanning	Run AdwCleaner › Click Scan Now. Scans files, registry, and browsers.
2	PUP (unwanted programs) removal	After scanning, review the results › Uncheck false positives › Click Clean › Quarantine and removal.
3	Hijacked browser settings repair	Detects changed homepages and search engines (browser hijacking) › Restores defaults.
4	Browser toolbar removal	Scans Chrome/Firefox/Edge for unwanted toolbars and extensions › Removes them.
5	USB operation (portable)	No installation required. Can be run directly from a USB drive or the desktop.
6	Threat quarantine 4	After removing a threat it goes to quarantine. You can restore items if something stops working.
7	Browser settings reset	Settings › Reset browser › Restores Chrome/Firefox/Edge to factory settings.
8	Logs and reports	After scanning, generates a text report. Click Log Files › Open the file with today's date.