• Anti-virus programs are designed to protect a computer or network from attacks through Web pages, emails and other outside connections. When you want to switch anti-virus programs from McAfee or Norton AntiVirus, the programs can seem like viruses themselves. The process to remove them completely can be challenging. Several ways are available to get around issues that occur when uninstalling McAfee or Norton AntiVirus.
  
  

McAfee Uninstall

• Both McAfee and Norton anti-virus can be uninstalled from "Add/Remove" function located in the "Control Panel" of Windows computers. These anti-virus programs employ a number of independent programs designed to scan different aspects of the computer, such as emails, Web pages and hard drives. When uninstalling, it can be difficult to know if you have uninstalled all programs. Uninstall all McAfee products by running the MCPR removal tool after normal uninstallation. This tool can be downloaded from the McAfee Customer Support website and will remove any reference to McAfee from your computer after completion and restart.
  
  

Norton Uninstall

• Norton AntiVirus, from Symantec Systems, also uses a suite of separate programs including Norton AntiSpam, Norton Ghost, Norton Internet Security and Norton 360 to protect every part of your computer from viruses or predators. Although the programs can be uninstalled using the "Add/Remove" function in the "Control Panel" of the Windows operating system, a more thorough tool is available from the Symantec website. Download the Norton Removal Tool. Run the application, making sure to close all open Norton applications. When this program is complete, restart the computer and verify that all mentions of Norton and Symantec have been removed from the computer by checking the "Programs" folder of the main hard drive (C drive).
  
  

Lingering Remnants

• One problem with the McAfee and Norton AntiVirus programs is their tendency to leave lingering remnants of their program suite on the hard drive. While a normal uninstall of the program deletes references to the program on the desktop or in the start menu, registry entries and even saved
  
  "Settings" information will still be stored on the computer. This function allows the computer program to be set to your specifications more easily if reinstalling McAfee or Norton AntiVirus later. These remnants also provide an avenue for the anti-virus companies to advertise and can hinder the installation of other anti-virus programs, such as AVG or Avast. Delete references to McAfee and Norton on Windows by selecting the "Run" program in the start menu and typing "regedit" into the text box. Expand "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE." Search for the program name "McAfee" or "Norton" and delete all references. If using Norton, also delete all "Symantec" references.