Antivirus removal tools are a staple in every tech's toolbox. Why? You'll end up using them more than you think.
You should uninstall your programs, including antivirus programs, through Add/Remove Programs or you can use applications such as Wise Program Uninstaller or Ccleaner.
However, some antivirus applications do not wish to go down easily - *cough* Norton *cough*. This is where Uninstaller tools come in handy. Only use these tools if normal methods fail.
You should make sure you have a backup of your important files before messing with these tools just in case something happens. You should run these tools as admin If you are using Vista and beyond. This is simply done by right-clicking the executable and choosing “Run as administrator."
Table of Contents
Antivirus Removal Tool List
Avast! -> Avast Uninstall Utility
Avira Antivirus -> Avira RegistryCleaner
AVG Antivirus/Identity Protection -> AVG Remover
BitDefender Antivirus -> BitDefender Uninstall Tool
BullGuard Antivirus -> BullGuard Uninstall Tool
Dr Web -> Dr Web Remover
eScan Antivirus -> eScan Removal Tool
ESET NOD32 Antivirus -> ESET NOD32 Removal Tool (all languages)
F-Prot 3.x -> F-Prot 3.x Removal Tool | F-Prot 6.x -> F-Prot 6.x Removal Tool
F-Secure Products -> F-Secure Uninstall Tool
G DATA Antivirus Cleaner -> G DATA AVCleaner
IObit Software -> IObit BitRemover
K7 TotalSecurity/AntiVirus -> K7 Remover Tool
Kaspersky Lab -> Kaspersky Lab Product Removal Tool
Malwarebytes -> Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware Clean Utility
McAfee Consumer Products -> McAfee AV/IS Products up to 2010 32bit, McAfee AV/IS Products up to 2010 64bit, McAfee AV/IS/Titanium Products for 2011+ 32bit, McAfee AV/IS/Titanium Products for 2011+ 64bit | Note: 2011+ product uninstallers require a password, novirus.
Microsoft OneCare (XP & Vista) -> Windows Live Onecare Cleanup Tool
Microsoft Security Essentials -> MSE Fix-It tool
Norman Virus Control/Security Suite -> Norman Uninstall Tool
Norton/Symantec -> Norton Removal Tool
Panda Antivirus -> Panda AV Uninstaller | Panda CloudAV -> Panda Cloud Antivirus Removal Tool
Prevx 2.0/3.0 -> Uninstall Utility
SUPERAntiSpyware -> SAS Uninstaller Assistant 32 bit, SAS Uninstaller Assistant 64 bit
TrendMicro’s HouseCall -> HouseCall Cleaner
TrendMicro Products -> TrendMicro Uninstaller x86, TrendMicro Uninstaller x64
Vipre Antivirus -> Sunbelt Software Uninstall Utility
Webroot -> Webroot Spy Sweeper Consumer Cleanup Tool, Webroot Security Cleanup Tool
WinPatrol -> WinPatrol Removal Program
Zondex Guard -> Zondex Uninstall Utility
Zone Alarm -> Zone Alarm Uninstall Tool
Windows Symantec Endpoint Protection Installation Fix
This one is such a pain, that it requires its own section.
If you have problems with your Symantec Endpoint Protection Installation, you can find solace by quickly editing a registry entry. This guide should work with all Symantec Endpoint Protection anti-virus solutions.
Symantec Endpoint Protection Installation Registry Fix
- Click on the Start menu
- Search for regedit, then press 'Enter'
- Search for the following key:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\AppData - Its value should be
%APPDATA% - Change the value to
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming - Restart the computer and reinstall the Semantic client
Uninstalling Symantec Endpoint Protection
If this registry modification didn't work, you can re-install the SEP anti-virus program. If you have trouble with that or otherwise can't remove SEP (which happens frequently), you can use their uninstall tool for assistance.
Using Cleanwipe
The Cleanwipe utility is an option when the uninstall from the Windows control panel doesn't cooperate.
See Uninstalling Symantec Endpoint Protection with the CleanWipe Utility page for the download and instructions.
Manually Uninstalling
When all other methods fail, you can manually uninstall and try again. See their Manually Uninstall Endpoint Protection page for instructions by version.
Conclusion
There you have it. The most common antivirus removal tools. This will make your job a lot easier.
Also, what other Symantec Endpoint Protection installation fixes do you like to do?
I really like the ease of use of SEP and how quickly it updates. The detection seems to be pretty good as well. But holy cow, does this software not play nice with others. It also can be a pain to work with and an even bigger pain to remove if it won't let you fix it.
That's all for now.
