Posted on 01/31/2013 3:40:12 PM PST by JimSEA
I'm having fits uninstalling McAfee and replacing it with Norton. McAfee had become just too irritating to the point of shutting down some downloads from Amazon (but not all, no consistency there). It kept giving me pop ups at seemingly random times. Now, McAfee just shut down everything when Norton tried an uninstall. Anyone have similar problems?? I'm using my blessed Apple IPad now.
I hate them both. I use avast
Got rid of both of them years ago . . . constant pains in the obamas. I use ESET at work and AVG at home. No problems and I’m thrilled. Had trouble a few years ago getting Norton the hell out of my computer though.
I haven’t used McAfee for years, so I don’t know what the current problems are. You might do a google search for “uninstall McAfee.” It would depend on your version of windows and also of McAfee. There is apparently a McAfee removal tool that you can get from McAfee itself, but I don’t know how well that works.
Good luck.
I use AVG.
I use Kaspersky and Super Antivirus. Most others protect pretty poorly and shut down your computing experience.
Years on on an XP computer, I installed McAfee anti-virus. I later tried their firewall.
As updates became bloatware and slowed the computer ridiculously, I ‘uninstalled’ both.
Every few months, I would get a pop-up from McAfee asking me to re-try their software. I thought I had scrubbed everything McAfee from the computer. I had even gone through the registry file. Still, I would get the pop-ups, until I had other problems and had to reformat and reinstall XP.
Since then, I would never let anything McAfee on my computer(s), even though my cable ISP offers McAfee security software free to users.
==
Now, on my Win7 laptop and desktop, I stay with Windows Security Essentials and Windows 7 firewall. They play nice with other software and do not seem to bog down my computers.
AVG Free is great. If you like it, get the paid version. Jumping from McAfee to Norton is jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
I am using Kaspersky, no problems to date. I ahve also heard that ESET is a good one.
I would just throw both in the can. Plenty of options out there, most (if not all) free to use, unless you want the deluxe package. AVG is good, I use Avira, heard good things about Avast . . . .
All, and I mean ALL, anti-virus programs are a drag on the speed. So I never use them. I bought a used desktop (Dell) on eBay for $75. I use it exclusively for surfing the net, such as now. If some one hacks into it, there is absolutely nothing on it of value.
My other computer is used strictly for my bank & broker. I never read emails or visit any other site on it.
I have a cheap switch to use a single monitor between the 2 computers. So my desk is not crowded.
If my surfing computer gets slow, I just reload the windows OS and copy my saved favorites for the browser and I am back in business. Usually 2 to 3 years before I do this. Then it runs as fast as when new and virgin.
In 15 years of operating like this I have not had a single problem to worry about.
Just get Microsoft's Security Essentials. It's free and easy.
Second the motion to ditch both of them. AVG Free and AdAware have worked for me for years. Dell installed Macafee on my latest desktop and I just let it expire and remain in place with AVG installed over it. Every now and then it pops up to warn me it’s out of date and wouldn’t I like to buy an extended license? I bop it on the head and it goes away.
TC
I switched all of our PCs to MS Security Essentials - Norton and McAffee went into the scrap bin forever.
Me too. I use Windows Security Essentials and Malwarebytes, very compatable and no interference (slow down) with other programs even when editing HD video. Norton sucks. A computer programmer once told me that Norton gets into everything and your computer slows way down.
Try IObit uninstaller.
Some suggestions.
One Anti-virus program won’t do the job.
Only one of your AV programs should be running in ‘real-time’.
The second should be loaded but not selected for ‘real-time protection’.
The third should be loaded and used to scan when you need it.
McAfee and Norton are pains in the butt, and CPU. And, as others have noted, hard to get rid of.
AVG and AVAST are OK, but seem to suck up too many resources and bug you about updates. AVG and AVAST also leave behind some ‘elements’ after you UNINSTALL THEM.
Microsoft Security Essentials is great, and automatically downloads new definition files.
Find at least one, if not two other AV programs to put on your computer that allow you to control whether they run in ‘real-time’ and you should have great protection.
Since there are hundreds of new (malwares/viruses/etc) created EVERY DAY, it helps if you consistently do SCANS with ALL AV softwares you pick to use, on at least a weekly basis.
Thanks to all!! I’m trying avira.
I used AVG for years but over the lsst few months I kept getting the fake FBI/PayPal scam. I switched to Avast and have not had any problems since. I also use Malwarebytes and Super Anti-Spyware. I have a pretty powerful PC so I don’t worry about any load put on it by my security software.
What does Malwarebytes add that Windows Security Essentials doesn’t have?
McAfee provides a free standalone uninstaller that works quite well.
Google:
mcafee uninstaller download
to find it
Anti-virus programs can be as bad as the viruses themselves. If you have the ability to save files and reformat the hard drive, I would do that.
Most of the machines I clean have McAfee on them. I’m not a big Microsoft fan but their Security Essentials runs fine and is free. Throw in the paid version of Malwarebytes and you get good protection.
If you’re using a windows platform computer:
disable the mcafee service(s) in msconfig
then reboot the computer so that it doesn’t load
then try uninstalling mcafee.
If the uninstall doesn’t go right it could leave entries in the registry. Well, even if the uninstall goes smoothly programs still leave orphaned entries in the registry.
If all else fails you can always re-install the OS.
Thanks for that.
I use only Avast. The best anti-virus on he internet, and it’s free!
I second kaspersky. Used it 4 years.
Tried bitdefender but didn’t like.
I use Webroot on my mac and winders machines. Very small footprint and with online coupons, fairly inexpensive.
I run ESET and my computer shows no sign of slower speed from it.
Try Revo Uninstaller to get rid of McAfee, Norton, etc.
I took your advice several years ago, and have been very happy with it.
I winds up that the guy who started McAffee is a real nutcase...and his software shows it.
I’ve had both and found Norton not very useful so I flushed it.
There was also the time when a Norton update actually corrupted the program, and the "customer service" drones in India tried to charge me $39.99 to fix a huge problem that they caused with their bugged download.
Since the last time I installed Norton years ago, I am convinced it actually is a virus.
I would not install it again for any reason. It was next to impossible to uninstall and interfered with so much.
I agree. AVG is very nice. It has changed but it is still effective and sits quietly in the background (when configured to do so). I am virus free since starting to use it these last 10 years.
I should have added, I’ve been happy with Microsoft Security Essentials for a few years.
I’ve been using Avast for several years, I don’t want Norton or McAfee anywhere near my computer.
All you need is Microsoft Security Essentials, but it’s good to have a backup. I use Malwarebytes.
Heh, I just posted (#39) and then scrolled the earlier replies and noticed you have the same setup as I have. I’ve had zero problems, and I agree that the two programs are very compatible and there is no computer slowdown with both going at once.
As others have stated, it is nice to have a backup. A computer programming pro advised me to do this. Malwarebytes catches things that Windows (Microsoft) Security Essentials doesn't and vice versa. I have seen it with my own eyes.
I agree, they are both great anti-virus programs. The problem I had in the past with Norton and McAffe was slow down. Not with these two programs.
Bookmark
Ping for reference
I, too, had McAfee and then Norton on my computer because they were offered “free” with Comcast.
Which I no longer have, either.
Several AVs have self-protections to prevent uninstall and need helpers. McAfee has been tough to get rid of for years.
I decided to go with the Microsoft Windows Defender a year or so ago and haven't have any problems. I surf safe and don't take a lot of chances. Used to use AVG and it worked fine. Stay away from McAfee and Norton if you are concerned about using too many resources.
I used to use Kaspersky, but their scores are lower than Bitdefender. Do you use Super Antivirus in conjunction with Kaspersky and why?
I used Super Antivirus before I got Kespersky. Norton was replaced by Kaspersky. They don't conflict. Norton and Macafee bogged me down.
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