Disable "Running virus scan" when starting MS Word (Malwarebytes?)

Hello everyone

Since about 3 weeks ago, whenever I start MS Word (either just the program or by opening a file), a message appears in the MS Word status bar "Running virus scan" and the program is inaccessible (e.g. I can't type anything, and/or the document that I'm trying to open does not appear) for about 10-15 seconds. Then the message disappears, and the program is accessible again (I can type, or the document opens). I open and close MS Word a lot, so this annoys me endlessly. Do you know what might cause this?

The problem appears to be Malwarebytes 3.8.3 Premium (if I exit it, the virus scan goes away). However, I can't register at the Malwarebytes forum with *any* of my different e-mail addresses (they disallow certain domains, apparently).

Does anyone know what I can do?
Thanks
Samuel

ugcheleuce said:

Since about 3 weeks ago, whenever I start MS Word (either just the program or by opening a file), a message appears in the MS Word status bar "Running virus scan" and the program is inaccessible... for about 10-15 seconds...

The problem appears to be Malwarebytes 3.8.3 Premium (if I exit it, the virus scan goes away)....

Do you use macros in Word? If not, see if disabling all macros in Word will avoid the need for a virus scan. Depending on your version or Word, you may find this setting in Word Options > Trust Center > Macro Settings.

Open the Malwarebytes GUI, choose Settings in the left-hand navigation panel then the Exclusions tab in the right-hand pane. Add the folder where your Word docs are stored as an 'exclusion'.

If this doesn't stop th "Running virus scan" behaviour then you may also need to add the C:\Users\<your_username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office\Recent folder.

I'm still using Word 2010 and also use the same version of Malwarebytes Premium... but I haven't seen that "Running virus scan"behaviour.

RickC said:

Add the folder where your Word docs are stored as an 'exclusion'.

That's all over the hard drives (-: I don't store my Word files all in one place.

Anyway, the problem occurs even if I run MS Word without opening a file.

Bree said:

Do you use macros in Word?

Yes, I can't live without the macros (and some of them have access to "the Visual Basic project").