How do I get rid of Norton Internet Security & Anti Virus?

Question

How do I eradicate all traces of Norton Internet Security and Anti Virus from my PC including registry entries, hidden files and the like. In the past I've come to really dislike Symantec products, they seem to take over your computer and apparently impossible to remove all traces of even using the uninstall application. Now I just bought a new laptop and I'm horrified to discover it has a load of Norton stuff pre-installed. Grrr! How do I get rid of it before I install my preferred security software?

Answer 1

First, make sure that it is uninstalled and non-functional. If there is any doubt, you can look for installation tools at the Symantec website http://www.symantec.com

Restart the computer, then look for Symantec items in the Program Files folders. There is a COMMON FILES section that also has Symantec Shared folder. Try to delete that "Symantec Shared" folder. Of course, look for other Symantec folders in the Program Files section.

You can use REGEDIT and manually edit your registry. I've done that. I would use the FIND feature and search for ALL occurrences of "Symantec" and "Norton". This will take a while, but you will be DONE with them.

If you could not DELETE some of the Symantec things in the Program Files section, you should be able to do so, after ripping these out of the registry. But do so after rebooting.

I too am not a big fan of the whole Symantec Security solution, but I am OK with their plain Anti-virus software. Versions 2002 and 2003 are still supported for updates, as they were when they were NEW. Reinstallation of these program versions are not the hassle of new versions that wind up with a technical call to Symantec.

Be sure to pick a new Anti-virus solution. I would not be happy with any "DO IT ALL" solution. I would pick other Anti-spyware and anti-spam solutions. I do like Ad-aware and SpyBot Search & Destroy. For WIndows XP with SP2, I like the Windows Firewall, but for other systems, I lean toward the free version of Zone Alarm from http://www.zonelabs.com

You see, nobody seems to be the total expert of that many varieties of threats. I really would not trust Windows Vista as a total solution. HEY, Microsoft has been in this business for a long time, and are simply beginners at security. You will know that I am right by mid 2008 when everyone else is still in the business of providing quality solutions.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 2

To remove Norton or other existing Anti-Virus software, use the add/remove programs control panel. Click on the Windows Start button, then select Settings and choose Control Panel. Double-click the Add or Remove Programs control panel The Add/Remove Programs window will open. Scroll through the list of installed programs for any item that includes either "Norton" or "Symantec" or "LiveUpdate" icluding: Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition Norton AntiVirus 2004/2005/2006 LiveUpdate (Symantec Corporation) LiveAdvisor For each Symantec or Norton item (or of any other anti-virus software you need to uninstall), click to select the item and then click on the Remove or Change/Remove button Add or Remove Programs When asked if you are sure that you want to remove the application, click Yes or OK. Restart your computer. Once you have successfully removed Norton Anti-Vrus or other existing anti-virus software you may proceed with the installation of McAfee VirusScan Enterprise edition.

Answer 3

Very difficult! Uninstall first (go through settings, add or remove programs, and find every darned one in the list and click it and remove it). Then after all the restarts you need through this process, make sure you have the ability through folder options to look at hidden files and then go through your c drive and dig down and delete every little derned folder, like in programs, that Norton or Symantec built. Those guys *really* dig into a system, and Microsoft is like *married* to 'em!

Answer 4

Actually- the only and BEST way to do this (unfortunately) is when you first install your whole system. I know this by just buying a new system and I use PC-Cillillin. Norton will get into your files even if you down load their "tool". Your best bet, I am sorry to say, is save everything important to flash drive, or disk and reformat the whole thing over again by going to add delete first and deleting Norton before it even installs. The good thing is, you get a clean fresh start. =-) Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, hon, but I learned my lesson the hard way.... good luck!

Answer 5

Go to Symantec's website and download the Norton uninstallation tool to get rid of that crap.

Answer 6

This way:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Microsoft also have info on this, but I can't find the page at the moment