This topic

Can't uninstall McAfee

paynes1 — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 18:39:34 GMT

I have been trying to uninstall McAfee from BT so that I can install Norton as told by BT.

I have tried several times to uninstall it using Control Panel without success, and I have also tried the McAfee uninstall tool. This starts the process but the stalls at 'uninstalling MFP'.

Any suggestions please?

Steve P

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

gg30340 — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 20:15:04 GMT

Have you tried "restarting" not shutting down and starting, your computer and trying to uninstall again and/or running the McAfee MCPR tool?

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

paynes1 — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 20:53:36 GMT

Thanks for answering.
I have tried as you suggested several times including the MCPR tool.
Steve P

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

COMPANY-PENSIONER — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 21:32:07 GMT

When remnants remain, they can conflict with the new Security Software install.
Try searching in Windows Explorer for McAfee, for stuff that lingers.

BE SAFE OUT THERE !

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

gg30340 — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 21:14:31 GMT

I don't use McAfee so I can not check if the following is possible on McAfee but most AV programs have something similar.

Presumably McAfee is still on your computer and it is still working?

If it is, go into McAfee settings and see if there is a "Self Protect" mode/setting which you may be selected in order to stop any changes being made to compromise/uninstall McAfee. If there is make sure it is turned off. This may require a password to be entered.

If you have uninstalled it but there are remnants of McAfee left behind that is stopping Norton from installing, download and run CCleaner. It is a safe program.

Run the Custom clean and the registry cleaner and when asked if you want to back up before deleting select Yes so that it can be restored in the very unlikely event that there is an issue.

I would strongly suggest that unless you are a very competent computer user you do not delve into the registry without knowing fully what you are doing.

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

DCOnCommForum — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 22:02:03 GMT

When you say the McAfee removal tool stalls, how long did you leave it? On mine, which has an SSD, it took around 20 minutes to find and remove everything.

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

paynes1 — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 13:09:58 GMT

Thanks for all the answers/suggestions.

I've tried the Control Panel option again, but no success.

I've tried the McAfee option again, but it stops at Removing product MFP. I've left it now for nearly 5 hours and the green bar hasn't moved.

Steve P

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

_dreamer_ — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:21:27 GMT

A search of McAfee forums leads to this,any good?

https://forums.mcafee.com/t5/Consumer-General-Discussions/Uninstalling-LiveSafe/td-p/644252

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

RobbieMac — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:55:09 GMT

Hi @paynes1

Sorry for the problems removing the McAfee software. Can you try the solution on the link that @_dreamer_ posted above and let us know if that sorts things out for you?

Thanks,

Robbie

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

paynes1 — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 08:50:56 GMT

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

I ended up using one of the methods _dreamer_ suggested from the McAfee site below:

Rebooted in safe mode
Deleted all McAfee folders in program files and program files X86, (and Program Data),
Ran the Removal tool. (didn't seem to finish)
Rebooted to normal,
Ran the reboot tool.(Don't know what that is)
Rebooted

A couple of McAfee folders/files were difficult to delete but managed it. The MCPR 'green bar' went further this time but stopped at about 3/4. Left it for a few hours then restarted the pc.

The McAfee item has finally gone from the list in Control Panel, and when I searched for McAfee on the C: drive nothing came up so I'm guessing all have been deleted.

Norton is now installed via my BT. Waiting to see how this performs, I used Norton many years ago but stopped because I found that it slowed my PC down significantly. This was ages ago so I'm sure it has improved....

Thanks

Steve P

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

Frogmill0 — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:16:16 GMT

I'm resurrecting this thread because I have a similar problem with a twist. McAfee is definitely conflicting with Norton so I want to remove it but trying to do it via the Control Panel doesn't work. I've downloaded the removal tool and when I've got as far as the Security Validation Screen and entered the required characters I get a pop-up headed "Could not start process as Admin" with the message "Windows cannot verify the digital signature for this file. A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged or that might be malicious software from an unknown source." This has happened numerous times.

Informative, yes but helpful, no!

Can anyone tell me what to do next, please. I should mention that I'm still using Windows 7 and I'm not a computer expert so please make your replies as simple as possible. Many thanks.

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

Whiskers — Wed, 04 May 2022 21:24:05 GMT

Exactly the same problem. Can't use the control panel way as it does nothing.

The MCPR tool gets the same message.Failed McAfee uninstall

Not really a lot of help.

Ideas invited please.

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

Frogmill0 — Wed, 04 May 2022 21:46:03 GMT

I spoke to BT who were helpful in the sense that they made several suggestions as to what I could try but none of them worked so they metaphorically shook their heads and withdrew.

The problem was eventually solved by me bringing in the guy who built the computer. He did tell me what he did but I'm afraid it was beyond my technical understanding. It took him several hours although that included a major cleanup (the PC is several years old) and it's been fine ever since.

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

Hildener — Wed, 04 May 2022 23:58:48 GMT

Why would anyone want to use any of these. Windows Defender is easily better than any of these and will not slow your computer down like they do.

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

Whiskers — Sat, 07 May 2022 07:59:43 GMT

Your solution does not work on my laptop running W7 Ultimate 64.

The McAfee files and folders are locked and cannot be deleted even with an Administrator account.

Booted into safe mode with networking and no go at all.

Am I supposed to be in the secret Hidden Administrators account to do this?

Being in my normal administrators account does nothing and the MCPR.exe will not even run, it brings up an error box saying that Windows cannot verify the digital signature of the file and that it might be malicious.

see an earlier reply for a screen shot of the problem.

My only hope seems to be to use a program that will delete locked files.

Total **bleep** and useless, not fit for purpose from McAfee.

I haven't really got the time and patience at my time of life to deal with this kind of **bleep** but I will do it. Thankfully it is a spare laptop that has the problem.

Re: Can't uninstall McAfee

Whiskers — Sun, 08 May 2022 00:20:09 GMT

Used LockHunter to remove locked folders but the ones in the common Files folder were more difficult to remove, only a folder at a time and then still some could not be removed. I used AVG PC Tuneup to shred the remainder. The services still remain, I need to find out where those hang out. Used the Registry cleaner and it found 400 McAfee deleted program files. Reinstalled Microsoft Security Essentials and that even updated and scanned the laptop. It is not available on Microsoft web site any more but you can find it on Major Geeks.
Hope this helps someone.