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How to Uninstall Anything (In Theory)

How to Uninstall Anything (In Theory)

Suds, July 5, 2008

How do I completely remove Norton Anti virus software and related software from my computer?

Re: How to Uninstall Anything (In Theory)

Jeff (Editor), July 5, 2008

I'll take it one step further: Here's how to remove any software from your computer:

Select Control Panel from the Start Menu.
Click "Add/Remove Programs.
After a minute or two, you'll see a list of most software installed on your computer. Select your program in the list.
Click the "Remove" button to launch the uninstall process for your program.
Follow the removal instructions. It is different for each program.

In the case of Norton AntiVirus, the software package installs a number of programs. There's one for the security center. Another to update the programs. Another is the anti-virus software itself.

Confusing? Absolutely! Unfortunately, this is all too common among Windows software vendors. This practice just makes the Add/Remove Programs window cluttered and intimidating.

With programs like Norton, you need to identify all of the "pieces" of your software package. The list is in alphabetical order and they are typically grouped together.

With Norton AntiVirus, simply remove everything that begins with "Norton" and it will be eradicated.

How to Uninstall Anything (In Theory)

Robert Schwedt, July 29, 2008

After you have done what the poster above you has said and you start getting a error message like SYMANTEC\WIN32\EVENT\driver unstable or something like it then you are like many that Norton has failed to remove all of the folders so you will need to run a program like Revo uninstaller.

Remember only remove what is giving you the error . It drove me nuts till I found that free program and got rid of the program in full. That or reinstall Norton and hope for the best on the next uninstall you try.

Always make a restore point before you run any program that a user can make a mistake.

Re: How to Uninstall Anything (In Theory)

Jeff (Editor), July 30, 2008

Thanks for chiming in Robert. You make a number of good points. I guess I didn't realize just how much of a pain uninstalling Norton is!

I had never heard of Revo but it looks like a really handy program, not just for uninstalling but for recovering deleted files, managing startup programs and more. It's well reviewed on Major Geeks and CNET.

It turns out Norton has a special download for uninstalling its anti-virus products called the "Norton Removal Tool."

Why they can't get the uninstall right without a special download is beyond me. It might be excusable if a particular version had a problem. However, they have a removal tool for every version going back to 2003!

Creating a restore point before any risky operation is a very good idea. I'm ashamed I didn't think of that myself. Windows System Restore remembers a better time when your Windows installation was actually working and happy. You can go back to that restore point easily through this utility.

Again, many thanks. I'm sure others will find your advice useful.