How MalGuard helps with each symptom
These problems often come from adware or PUPs installed without your consent. Start with a scan — scanning never changes anything.
Pop-up ads keep appearing
Often caused by an ad program you never meant to install. MalGuard finds the program behind the ads and quarantines it.
Your browser's homepage or search engine changed
A classic browser-hijacker symptom. MalGuard finds the cause and shows exactly what was changed. Homepage and search engine addresses are also checked against a list of known malicious sites (URLhaus). You then restore the browser setting yourself, following the guidance.
Your PC suddenly got slow
Hidden adware or a cryptocurrency miner may be to blame — if so, MalGuard will find it. It can't fix hardware or disk problems.
Unknown programs start with Windows
MalGuard checks startup programs and scheduled tasks for hidden malware. Dangerous executables and startup (registry) entries are backed up and quarantined; for scheduled tasks, it shows you where they are.
Completely free
There's no paid edition. What you download is the whole thing.
Every feature, free
Scan, quarantine, restore, automatic watch and updates — nothing is locked.
No sign-up
Download and run. We don't even ask for your email.
No time limit
It's not a trial. No payment pop-ups after a few days.
No ads or bundled installs in the app
The MalGuard program shows no ads and never sneaks other software onto your PC.
Why MalGuard
MalGuard finds threats fast, quarantines them safely, and lets you undo anything.
Fast scans
Instead of running batch scripts, MalGuard checks processes, the registry, startup programs and browsers in parallel.
Reversible quarantine
Dangerous files aren't deleted — they're moved to quarantine and logged, so any mistake can be undone.
Automatic updates
Every time you open MalGuard, it checks for new threat definitions and downloads only what changed.
Automatic watch at startup (optional)
Turn it on in Settings and MalGuard watches startup programs, processes and the registry from the notification area each time you sign in, and notifies you when a new threat appears. Nothing is removed automatically.
Few false alarms
Legitimate software is filtered out with a trust list and precise patterns. MalGuard only scans by default; nothing is quarantined until you confirm.
Light and transparent
A single executable. The MalGuard program never sends your files or personal data to our servers — only reports you choose to send.
How it works
No installation needed. Double-click the downloaded malguard.exe to open MalGuard, then press Start scan. Scanning never changes anything.
The app opens in English on English-language Windows. You can switch between English and Korean anytime with the button at the top right.
1. Start scan
MalGuard checks processes, the registry, startup programs and browsers.
2. Review results
The Results tab shows what was found, where it is and what to do, in plain language.
3. Quarantine
Tick the dangerous items and press Quarantine selected. Nothing is deleted — it's stored.
4. Restore if needed
Open the Quarantine tab and press Restore to put anything back where it was.
Comfortable with the command prompt? Use malguard-cli.exe. Run it without arguments to get a numbered menu.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
malguard-cli scan | Scan only (changes nothing) |
malguard-cli clean | Quarantine detected items (after you confirm) |
malguard-cli guard | Real-time watch (responds within seconds) |
malguard-cli update | Download the latest definitions and signatures |
Built to be safe — and honest about its limits
Quarantine, not deletion
The original location and file hash are recorded so you can restore anytime.
The app collects no personal data
The MalGuard program only downloads definitions. It never uploads your files or personal information.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most.
Is it really free?
Yes. Every feature is free, with no sign-up, no time limit and no ads in the app. Threat definition updates are free too.
What is malware?
Malware is any software installed without your consent that does harm. Adware is malware that shows ads, and PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) are programs that sneak onto your PC alongside other software. MalGuard focuses on finding and removing this kind of sneakily installed malware.
Does it scan for viruses? Is it a free antivirus?
MalGuard is not an antivirus. Scanning for and disinfecting file-infecting viruses is the job of an antivirus such as Windows Security (Microsoft Defender), which comes with Windows. MalGuard is a free tool for the adware and PUPs that antivirus software often leaves alone, so use the two together.
My PC got slow. Will it help?
If the cause is hidden adware or a cryptocurrency miner, MalGuard can find and quarantine it. It can't fix other causes, such as a full disk or ageing hardware. A scan changes nothing, so it's a safe first step.
Can I use it at work or school?
Yes. Schools, public institutions and businesses can currently use it for free. Terms for business use may change in the future; if they do, we'll announce it on this website in advance.
Will it remove legitimate programs?
Legitimate software is filtered out with a trust list and precise patterns. By default MalGuard only scans and reports. Quarantine happens only after you confirm, and you can restore anything.
Do you collect personal data?
The MalGuard program only downloads definitions — it never sends your files or personal information to our servers. A report about a problem MalGuard missed is sent only after you review it and press Send, with user names and email addresses masked. This website may use cookies for advertising; see our privacy policy for details.
Is the app available in English?
Yes. MalGuard opens in English on English-language Windows, and you can switch between English and Korean anytime with the button at the top right or in Settings.
The window doesn't open.
MalGuard draws its window with Microsoft Edge WebView2, which is built into Windows 11 and installed on most Windows 10 PCs. If it's missing, MalGuard shows a prompt to install it for free from Microsoft. The command-line malguard-cli.exe works without WebView2.
Can I use it alongside my antivirus?
Yes. MalGuard is designed to complement your antivirus.
How is it free?
This website is supported by ads. MalGuard is lightweight and only downloads definitions, so running costs are low. There are no ads in the program, and we never sell personal data.
Check your PC for free
A scan changes nothing. Review the results, then decide what to quarantine.
⬇ Download MalGuard for Windows