McAfee KB - How to remove McAfee products from a Windows PC

How to remove McAfee products from a Windows PC

Document ID: 000001616

Use this article if: You want to remove a McAfee product from your Windows PC.

If you want to remove your McAfee software from a non-Windows device, see one of these articles:

NOTE: If you can't remove your product after following the advice in this article, contact Customer Service.

The steps below show you how to remove or uninstall your McAfee software from a PC running Windows.

IMPORTANT: If your McAfee product came preinstalled on your PC, you must activate your subscription before you remove your product.

By activating your subscription before removal, you can retain the right to use the product without needing to purchase a new subscription. To learn more, see How to activate preinstalled McAfee software on Windows.

How to remove McAfee software from your Windows PC

Follow the steps below to remove your McAfee product.

TIP: Option 1 works for most customers, so try that first. If Option 1 fails, try Option 2. With either option, ensure that your PC is connected to the internet during removal to ensure that your license status is correctly synced with McAfee.

Option 1 — Remove using the standard Windows removal method

Uninstall your McAfee software by following these steps:

Click Search at the bottom left of your Windows desktop next to Start .
In the search field, type Programs and Features. Depending on your version of Windows, you might need to type Add or Remove Programs.
Click Programs and Features, (or Add or Remove Programs).
Right-click your McAfee software, for example McAfee LiveSafe.
Click Uninstall, and follow the prompts.
Restart your PC if prompted.

You can also watch this video to learn how to remove your McAfee product using the standard Windows removal method:

To view and subscribe to more videos, visit the official McAfee YouTube channel.

Click the links below to learn more about removing apps from Windows. The links take you to microsoft.com:

After the removal process completes, your McAfee products will no longer be installed on your PC.

IMPORTANT: Your PC is no longer protected from viruses and malware when your McAfee software is removed. Ensure that you reinstall your security software as soon as possible to restore protection.

After completing the steps above, you can stop reading here.

If the standard Windows removal method fails, try Option 2, below:

Option 2 — Remove using the McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool (MCPR)

Only use the MCPR tool if the Windows removal method shown above doesn't work.

Watch this video to learn how to use the MCPR tool:

To view and subscribe to more videos, visit the official McAfee YouTube channel.

IMPORTANT:

Always download a new copy of MCPR before each use.
When you use the latest version, newer McAfee products can be successfully recognized.
MCPR doesn't remove McAfee PC Optimizer. If you want to remove PC Optimizer, use the standard Windows Add/Remove (Programs and Features) programs method.
Completing this step requires a restart.

Before you start, bookmark or favorite this article so that you can easily get back to it. Then save all open files, and close all programs.

Download the MCPR tool.
Double-click MCPR.exe.
If you see a security warning, click Yes, Continue, or Run (depending on your version of Windows):
On the McAfee Software Removal screen:
1. Click Next.
2. Click Agree to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA).
In the Security Validation screen:
1. Type the characters exactly as shown on your screen. Validation is case-sensitive.
2. Click Next. This step prevents the accidental use of MCPR.
Wait for the MCPR tool to complete. This might take 20 minutes or more, depending on your type of PC.
When you see Removal Complete, the MCPR tool has completed successfully. Restart your PC to complete the removal process.

IMPORTANT: When your PC restarts, it won't be protected from viruses and malware. Ensure that you reinstall your security software as soon as possible to remain protected.

What to do if cleanup is unsuccessful

Restart your PC and run MCPR again.
If you see Cleanup Unsuccessful again, contact McAfee Customer Service.

Advanced steps: Uninstall with the Super Administrator account

If you can't remove your software fully with either of the above methods, you might need to enable the Super Administrator account.

TIP: The steps shown below are for advanced users. If you aren't comfortable using the command prompt, contact Customer Service for advice.

Super Administrator has extra privileges and permissions over the standard administrator account. The additional privileges and permissions make the removal process more likely to succeed.

Follow the steps below to enable the Super Administrator account. When you have successfully uninstalled your McAfee software, follow the steps to disable the Super Administrator account.

Enable the Super Administrator account

Open a command prompt as Administrator:
1. Click Start, and in the search field type cmd.exe.
2. In the search results, right-click Command Prompt, and click Run as administrator.
At the prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

net user administrator /active:yes
Close the command prompt.
Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys together.
Click Log out or Sign out, to log off Windows.
On the sign-in screen, click the Administrator account and sign in. The sign-in process might take longer than usual to complete.
Try to remove your McAfee software using either Option 1 or Option 2 (above) again.

IMPORTANT: If removal was successful, follow the steps below to disable the Super Administrator account. If you are still unable to remove your McAfee software, contact Customer Service.

Disable the Super Administrator account

Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys together.
Click Log out or Sign out, to exit the Super Administrator account.
Sign in with your usual account.
Open a command prompt as Administrator:
1. Click Start, and in the search field type cmd.exe.
2. In the search results, right-click Command Prompt, and click Run as administrator.
At the prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

net user administrator /active:no
Close the command prompt.

The Super Administrator account is now disabled.

NOTE: For the removal to be successful, your device must be connected to the internet to allow McAfee to release the license. The license won't be released when you no longer have access to the PC, or if your PC is no longer usable. In this scenario, you can release the license using the steps in How to deactivate McAfee software license from your PC.

If your license isn't released, you'll see a No more licenses available message when you try to reinstall. Contact Customer Service if you see this message.

How to reinstall your security software

CAUTION: Your PC remains unprotected until you reinstall your security software.

You can download the latest version of your product from where you purchased it. To reinstall a McAfee product, see How to download and install McAfee consumer products.

Purchased from	Start from here
McAfee	protection.mcafee.com or to sign in and download your software.
AT&T	uversecentral1.att.com/uvp/myhome
Dell	us.mcafee.com/root/login.asp/Dell
MSN	membercenter.msn.com
AOL	get.aol.com/mcafee

How to remove McAfee products from a Windows PC

How to remove McAfee software from your Windows PC

What to do if cleanup is unsuccessful

Advanced steps: Uninstall with the Super Administrator account

How to reinstall your security software

Use our virtual assistant for guided solutions.

Need to talk to an expert?

STILL NEED HELP?

Tune up your PC with our TechMaster service

COMPUTER INFECTED?

Get McAfee Virus Removal Services.

The current article is not available in

Login

is not supported, please continue in English.

How to remove McAfee products from a Windows PC

How to remove McAfee software from your Windows PC

What to do if cleanup is unsuccessful

Advanced steps: Uninstall with the Super Administrator account

How to reinstall your security software

Use our virtual assistant for guided solutions.

Need to talk to an expert?

STILL NEED HELP?

Tune up your PC with our TechMaster service

COMPUTER INFECTED?

Get McAfee Virus Removal Services.

ASIA PACIFIC

EUROPE

LATIN AMERICA

NORTH AMERICA