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McAfee, like most other modern antivirus programs, doesn’t stay out of your way. It installs browser extensions and shows various alert messages you might not want to see. If McAfee came with your PC, you may regularly see messages that your subscription is expired. Here’s how to get rid of that noise.
RELATED:What’s the Best Antivirus for Windows 10? (Is Windows Defender Good Enough?)
The below steps were performed with McAfee LiveSafe, but should be similar with other McAfee editions of McAfee’s antivirus software. To learn more about which antivirus programs we recommend, check out this guide.
Did McAfee Come With Your PC? Consider Uninstalling It
RELATED:How Computer Manufacturers Are Paid to Make Your Laptop Worse
If you’ve installed McAfee because you want to use it, that’s fine. However, many people don’t choose to install McAfee. Instead, many PC manufacturers bundle a time-limited trial version of McAfee on their new PCs. You quickly see notifications that your subscription is expired and you need to pay for McAfee antivirus protection. Companies like McAfee pay PC manufacturers to install their software on new PCs so they can advertise to you.
Rather than paying up, head to Control Panel > Uninstall a Program and uninstall the McAfee software. You can then install a better antivirus product, some of which are available for free—or just use the Windows Defender antivirus, which is built into Windows 10. Even if you’re looking for a paid antivirus product, McAfee isn’t our first choice.
Get Rid of McAfee’s Browser Extensions
RELATED:Don’t Use Your Antivirus’ Browser Extensions: They Can Actually Make You Less Safe
McAfee bundles the “McAfee WebAdvisor” browser extensions for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. This extension sits in your browser, warning you about weak passwords and dangerous downloads. But your antivirus software already scans your downloads whether you install a browser extension or not, and we don’t recommend using your antivirus’s browser extensions.
In Google Chrome, click the menu and select More Tools > Extensions. Click the trash can to the right of the McAfee WebAdvisor extension to remove it.
In Mozilla Firefox, click the menu button and select “Add-ons”. Click the “Disable” button to the right of the McAfee WebAdvisor add-on.
In Internet Explorer, click the menu button and select “Add-ons”. Select the McAfee WebAdvisor add-on under Toolbars and Extensions and click the “Disable” button at the bottom of the window. You can also head to Control Panel > Uninstall a Program and uninstall the “McAfee WebAdvisor” software that appears here to completely remove it from Internet Explorer.
Disable Most of McAfee’s Alerts
The rest of McAfee’s settings are located in its interface. To access it, find the McAfee icon in your notification area—it looks like a red shield with an “M” inside it—and double-click it. This icon may be hidden behind the up arrow to the left of your system tray icons.
Click the “Navigation” link in the right pane of the McAfee window and then click “General Settings and Alerts” under Settings.
Click the “Informational Alerts” and “Protection Alerts” categories here and choose which type of alert messages you don’t want to see. For example, you can tell McAfee not to show alerts when you insert removable media drives into your PC and when McAfee allows programs to connect to the Internet.
Hide Firewall Prompts
McAfee’s built-in firewall can be set to ask for your permission whenever a program tries to connect to the Internet. If you see firewall prompts, you can disable them and have McAfee automatically decide what’s best on its own.
To find McAfee’s firewall settings, click the “Home” link at the right side of the McAfee window to access the home screen. From the Home screen, click Manage Security > Web and Email Protection > Firewall. Expand the “Smart Advice and Advanced Settings” category here and ensure it’s set to “Enable Smart Advice” and “Decide automatically”.
McAfee should be quieter after you change these settings, getting out of your web browser and showing you as few alerts as possible.
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Do you get trouble when Uninstall McAfee Livesafe From Windows 10? This antivirus is quite popular among users but its removal is not less than a challenge. The free version of this tool causes vulnerability like trialware after the expiration of the trial period. In addition, in most of the Windows 10 Laptops, whether it is Dell, Lenovo, Dell, Asus this antivirus comes as a pre-installed that users might not like.
Ways to Uninstall McAfee Livesafe From Windows 10
When users go to Uninstall McAfee Livesafe From Windows 10 noting happens using the traditional method from Programs & features.
We will tell you here the way to fully Uninstall McAfee Livesafe dividing the process into 3 parts. All you need is follow the instructions carefully for a successful antivirus removal.
Part 1: Using Apps & features in Settings Application
For Preinstalled users
If you have either of Dell, Lenovo, Asus Laptops powered with Windows 10 pre-install with McAfee antivirus then you will have to first activate it for the dismissal. Don’t worry because you will not need to pay for the subscription.
If you haven’t got pre-installed and downloaded on your own instead, then directly follow the next method – “Uninstall McAfee Livesafe using Apps & features”.
Step-1: Open the software and select Your subscription.
Step-2: Click on Edit profile and go to the McAfee site through automatic navigation.
Step-3: It is the time to register on Mcafee, so type your Email address and choose Next.
Step-2: Give a password according to the suggestion here and click on Next. Now your software is activated
For both users (Preinstalled or Post-installed) – Uninstall McAfee Livesafe using Apps & features
Step-1: On Start Menu, hit the small gear icon to access the built-in Settings program. Else, you can also launch the same pressing Win+I hotkeys.
Step-2: Click on to Apps.
Step-3: Scroll down and find McAfee Livesafe in the right pane. Click on it. You will see an extended view where two options namely Modify and Uninstall are available. Select Uninstall.
Step-4: Check both the following options
1. McAfee LiveSafe
2. Remove all files for this program. If you reinstall om this PC, you will need to enter your subscription information and choose your settings again.
2. Remove all files for this program. If you reinstall om this PC, you will need to enter your subscription information and choose your settings again.
Now do a lick on Remove on the dialog Remove McAfee in order to Wipe out.
Step-5: Once the uninstallation ends up, select Restart Now.
The task is not accomplished yet. You have to visit its official website to get “McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool” (viz. MCPR). This is an essential utility in order to remove McAfee entirely from your system. Let’s see the guidelines to do further:
For general software or applications follow – How to Uninstall Software From Windows 10 After Creators Update.
Part 2: MCPR tool
Step-1: Download the official MCPR tool after navigating to the official website. Make a double click on MCPR.exe to open after the completion of downloading.
Step-2: Select Yes on User account control pop up and click Next on Mcafee Software Removal interface.
Step-3: Select Agree on the End user license agreement and again click on Next.
Step-4: Fill up the captcha box correctly and then select Next.
MCPR will detect the installed program all by itself on your computer as well as triggers the uninstallation.
It might take a couple of good minutes to finish the process. Be a little patient and wait until it completes and restart the Windows 10 system once MCPR finishes the Uninstallation. Before proceeding to Reboot, finish or save your pending task to avoid losing any important item.
Part 3: Remove Traces and leftover of the McAfee Livesafe Antivirus
For a complete elimination, you need to delete its traces and leftovers from registry entries and system files. Before starting we recommend taking backup of your registry editor so that you could revive the same in case of a misoccurance.
You can read our another article for the same circumstance – How to Remove Traces of Uninstalled Programs in Registry on Windows 10.
From Registry Editor
Step-1: Click on the Search icon from the taskbar, write
regedit
and then hit Enter.Step-2: Select OK from the UAC warning prompt.
Step-3: After the registry editor appears, navigate to
ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware and ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE (one after another).
Step-4: Look for the keys termed as or having prefix McAfee in both of the strings.
Step-5: Once you find, right click on them and select Delete successively.
From System files
Step-1: Open Run dialog (Win+R), type Command %programfiles% and press Enter. Locate all the folders having Macefee name and delete it.
Step-2: In the same way, type %appdata% and Hit Enter. Find the items titled Mcafee and remove them.
Delete Temp and recent files
Step-1: Copy each of the following commands in a sequence, paste into the Run box and press Enter every time
%temp%
recent
temp
Step-2: As the folders open, select all the items and delete. Follow the same for all the 3 shortcut commands.
To wipe out the items without effort see – How to Delete Temp Files at Every Startup in Windows 10.
In this way, you will successfully Uninstall McAfee Livesafe From Windows 10.
The important thing is you can uninstall the other segments of this antivirus using the same ways. So if you have McAfee Total Protection, McAfee Windows Security there will be nothing change in the procedure. The only difference is you will find the other name in Apps & features area, registry keys and system files.
Winding Up
We have discussed the entire procedure to uninstall McAfee Livesafe From Windows 10, delete the tool and its residuals. Windows 10 comprises a convincing built-in anti-malware tool Windows Defender. This is so effective and strong that you really don’t need a third party tool to defend a malware. At last, With proper application of each step, you will be able to remove it and can have a hassle free time with Windows 10.
I previously installed McAfee Security Center (it came with the entire internet security suite 2006) and while I was installing it, some error would always occur. So then, I returned the software and then wanted to uninstall all of the partially installed McAfee Software. So then I did that, and I was able to successfully uninstall all McAfee programs via Add or Remove Programs from the control panel...all except one. I couldn't uninstall the McAfee Security Center. I was wondering how I can uninstall it, because when I try to it say first uninstall all McAfee services. I worry that when I install my new Norton Internet Security Suite, that the McAfee may interfere. What do you think I should do? Do you think there is anything else that I forgot to uninstall??
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When your McAfee anti-virus application's subscription is about to expire, the program displays frequent reminders on your screen, even when you're busy using another app. Unless you renew the subscription, the reminders continue as long as you have the McAfee app on your computer. To get rid of the reminders, you must uninstall the software. Once you remove the McAfee protection, you should install another anti-virus program or enable the built-in virus protection features of Windows 8.
1.Press 'Windows-X' and select 'Programs and Features' from the shortcut menu. If you're using Windows 7 or earlier, access the Programs and Features applet from the Control Panel.
2.Select the name of the McAfee application from the list of programs, and then click the 'Uninstall' link at the top of the list. Click 'Yes' to confirm the choice, and then click 'Yes' again to allow the McAfee uninstall utility to run.
3.
Check the box next to the name of the program in the McAfee pop-up window. Also check the box next to 'SiteAdvisor' if you want to remove the McAfee browser plugin from your computer. Click 'Remove' to begin uninstalling the program.
4.Click the 'Restart Now' button to reboot your computer. The McAfee reminders stop appearing.
Tip
- Information in this article applies to McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013, McAfee Internet Security 2013 and McAfee Total Protection 2013. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.
Warning
- Unless you use another anti-virus program, your system will be completely unprotected. If you use Windows 8, you can enable the built-in Windows Defender anti-virus program. In earlier versions of Windows, however, Defender detects only malware and doesn't provide virus protection.
References (1)
Force Remove Mcafee Safe Connect
About the Author
Alan Sembera began writing for local newspapers in Texas and Louisiana. His professional career includes stints as a computer tech, information editor and income tax preparer. Sembera now writes full time about business and technology. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Texas A&M University.
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Sembera, Alan. 'How to Get Rid of McAfee Reminders.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/rid-mcafee-reminders-69577.html. Accessed 05 July 2019.
Sembera, Alan. (n.d.). How to Get Rid of McAfee Reminders. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/rid-mcafee-reminders-69577.html
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