09.09.2024
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McAfee: what is it, how to remove the program from your PC. How to completely remove McAfee antivirus from your computer Complete removal of mcafee

“How to remove Mcafee” was a question asked by many users who accidentally installed the presented utility on their own computer. This problem can be solved in various ways. Let's look at them in detail.

This is a common software product used to protect Windows. Its positive qualities are considered to be: a simple interface and high computer scanning speed. Disadvantages - a small database of threats, which is why the antivirus does not catch all malware. There are the following types of software presented:

  1. AntiVirus Plus. A common, simple version of an antivirus with limited functionality.
  2. Internet Security. An extended version of McAfee, designed to protect your PC from viruses when connected via a local network.
  3. Total Protection. A full version that provides protection against viruses and phishing. Suitable for home use.
  4. LiveSafe best version applications. You can install the utility using a paid subscription.

The most common on the network are the first two versions of the antivirus product. It is extremely difficult to download a full-fledged version of antivirus for free.

How does it appear on the computer?

Rarely is McAfee installed by users voluntarily. Usually it is installed on a computer with other programs. These could be:

  1. Unlicensed Windows versions, builds, updates.
  2. Various programs

Users often do not notice the presented program during installation and find it on the PC only after the next system update. if they already use other antiviruses and do not want to change them to the presented utility, they have to figure out how to remove Mcafee safe connect.

Removing using Windows function

Stripped versions of the presented antivirus can be removed without connecting additional utilities. You will have to work with it in a special mode, since the software will conflict with other antiviruses and prevent removal. Proceed like this:


After this, the system can be rebooted. If the instructions provided were followed correctly, the antivirus will be completely removed. If after a reboot you find temporary files with this utility, you will have to use special programs against antivirus.

How to remove Mcafee using programs

Figuring out how to remove mcafee from Windows 7 using specialized programs is not difficult. It is recommended to use Revo Uninstaller or Perfect Uninstaller for this purpose. Let's consider such software in detail.

Method 1 – Revo Uninstaller

The presented program copes well with various malware and temporary files left after removal various programs. It will allow you to remove not only standard, but also advanced antivirus. Work with it like this:


After running Revo Uninstaller, check the system root directories again to make sure that the unwanted software is completely removed.

Method 2 – Perfect Uninstaller

The application allows you to eliminate infected program components that Kaspersky does not see. Work with it like this:

  1. Install the utility. Download the application through the developer's official website.
  2. Open the program window. Select the Force Delete button.
  3. Select the program you want to remove from your computer.
  4. Run a system scan after removal. It will identify software remains on your hard drive and automatically remove them. The task presented may take several minutes to complete.
  5. Immediately after removing all components of the antivirus program, restart your computer. Do not go into third-party applications, do not open files.

The presented utility can be used for both a desktop computer and a laptop. It is advisable to use it for those who want to know how to remove mcafee antivirus on Windows 10 advanced version. Perfect Uninstaller has an intuitive interface and is extremely easy to use.

As you know, not completely remote programs and their components may interfere with further work on the laptop. There is a need to completely remove all unnecessary elements. McAfee is a removal utility from the manufacturer of a well-known antivirus. With its help you can remove all products from McAfee. In this article we will tell you how to remove McAfee from a laptop using such a utility.

Instructions on how to remove McAfee from a laptop

There are two methods - one of them is standard, and the second involves using the McAfee utility. Let's look at each of them in more detail, after which you can choose the most optimal and effective one for yourself.

First way:

1) In the lower left corner of the screen, open the menu Start by clicking on it with the left mouse button.

2) Select menu item Control Panel, next section Programs and components.

3) Click on the icon Programs and components. A list of programs will open, where you will only have to find and select McAfee antivirus.

4) After that, move the cursor and double-click the left mouse button on the program name. In the Programs and Features window, you must confirm that you are indeed uninstalling the program. To do this, click on the button Yes.

5) This will start the process of removing McAfee antivirus from your laptop.

6) All you have to do is restart your computer and check if the program has been removed from your computer.

If automatic removal McAfee antivirus was not completed successfully, then use the second method, which will be discussed below.

Second method (special).

1) The first thing you should do is go to the official McAfee website and download a special removal utility. You can do this using the link below.

2) The next step is to close all McAfee windows.

3) Then you should run the utility. To do this, double click on MCPR.exe.

4) A utility window will open in which you must click "Next"(Next).

5) For further removal process, be sure to check the box "Agree"(Agree) and press again "Next"(Next).

6) A protective field will appear in which the numbers are hidden. They will need to be sorted and entered into the special field below. After that click "Next"(Next).

7) The removal process will begin. Wait for it to complete. After which you will need to restart the laptop. Click "Restart" to perform a reboot.

After rebooting, McAfee antivirus will be completely removed from your computer system. Now you can easily install a new antivirus, for example, Kaspersky antivirus.

McAfee is a development of the company of the same name, which is a division of Intel Security. The antivirus is paid, prices for users can be found on the official website. Unfortunately, the company distributes its product with the help of installers of other software, and free trial versions are not able to protect the device from serious threats. Therefore, users often wonder how to completely remove McAfee from Windows 10.

Uninstall McAfee manually

Many users install an antivirus due to inattention. The program saves its data in all “corners of the operating system” and getting rid of it is not so easy.

Programs and components

Before you begin uninstalling McAfee and all its components, try disabling Anti-Virus. If the tray icon does not have an exit button, proceed to remove it:

  1. Go to Explorer - “Uninstall or change a program.”
  2. Select McAfee LiveSafe and click Uninstall/Change.
  3. Check the boxes under each item and click “Delete”.
  4. Wait until the removal procedure is completed.
  5. Restart your computer when the operation is complete.

Important! If you installed a package of applications from McAfee (for example, Internet Security, WebAdvisor) and the additional software was not removed when you uninstalled LiveSafe, clean it manually in Programs and Features.

Remaining files and folders

Check if files and folders remain after removing McAfee antivirus from Windows 10:


Removing drivers

Check to see if the drivers for this program are still in the system. Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers and check for the following files:

  • mfeapfk.sys;
  • mfeavfk.sys;
  • mfebopk.sys;
  • mfeclnk.sys;
  • mfehidk.sys;
  • mferkdet.sys;
  • mfewfpk.sys.

Advice! To verify that a file belongs to McAfee Inc. go to the file properties, in the "tab" Digital signatures» the name of the signatory is indicated.

Cleaning the registry

To do this:


Remove McAfee using programs

There is special software that can facilitate the removal procedure:


Still have questions related to uninstalling McAfee products? Write about it in the comments or use


Good day dear readers. Today we will look at a very interesting topic, or rather, we will solve a problem that computer users very often encounter. How to completely remove McAfee antivirus from your computer or laptop?

Usually this antivirus is installed simultaneously with some other software, which you download from the Internet. Why uninstall McAfee? This is necessary in order to install another antivirus in its place. If you do not remove McAfee, then when installing, for example, Kaspersky, problems may arise due to incompatibility.

Now let's look at the two most simple ways completely remove McAfee antivirus from your computer. By the way, both of these methods work perfectly in both Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Method one

First, let's go to " Control Panel", through the "Start" or "My Computer" menu.


Then set the view to “Categories” and in the “Programs” section click on “ Uninstalling a program».


Now from the list installed programs we find our free antivirus utility McAfee. Next, right-click on it and select “ Delete».


Next, a new dialog box will appear, in which we also click the “ Delete».


The process of removing the antivirus from your computer will begin. When it's finished, restart your computer and try installing another one. antivirus program.


In addition to using the Control Panel, you can also get rid of McAfee using programs or utilities, such as:
  • Revo Uninstaller
  • MyUninstaller
  • ZSoft Uninstaller
  • Total Uninstall
Second way

The developers of Intel Security have done a great job. To popularize their brainchild, they managed to make their antivirus so easy to remove from a computer. Therefore, a second method is needed that will help you completely get rid of this annoying and useless antivirus utility.

You probably know that when installing any program, some adjustments and changes are made. The same thing happens when installing McAfee antivirus. When you remove any program from your computer, the previously mentioned changes in the registry are cleared and everything returns to normal (maybe not always completely, but in 95% of cases this is the case). With McAfee the situation is a little more complicated and when you get rid of it, data about it may remain in the registry. This is why problems arise when installing other antivirus programs.

Okay, let's go back to the second method. To implement it we will need special utility, which you can download below:

Have you downloaded it? Then let's launch it. A dialog box will appear on your screen, in which first click the “ Next».


Then we agree to the license without reading it. Check the box next to “ Agree" Then press " Next».


The removal process itself will begin. It will take no more than two minutes, or five at most. After which the utility will inform you that McAfee antivirus has been successfully and completely removed from your computer. You can either close this window and restart your computer a little later, or immediately click the " Restart».

That's all, thank you all for your attention. Don't forget to share this article with your friends if you found it useful.

Reading time: 41 minutes

Many users notice a program on their desktop that they have never installed - . It often runs in parallel with other applications, including Chinese ones. Questions arise: what kind of application is this, is it useful and is it worth deleting?

McAfee: what is this program

First, let's look at McAfee Security - what kind of program is it? – This is a utility that performs the function of protecting against viruses. An anti-virus scanner is a useful and necessary thing in any operating system, since the abundant spread of viruses often leads to system crash. At the same time, such a “guest” is very intrusive, because it was installed without the user’s permission.

Such applications enter the system in 2 ways:

  • Using bundling is a method where additional applications are installed along with another program. In order to encounter problems less often, you need to check all parameters during installation, although this is not a 100% guarantee of a clean installation;

  • Using viruses – Viruses are common today and download many applications on the PC. The system begins to suffer from a dozen unwanted programs. In case manual removal intrusive utilities, the virus can restore them.

Given the intrusive way the antivirus is distributed, it becomes obvious that the user will want to remove it. It is especially important to do this if the system starts to freeze a lot; most likely, 2 antivirus products are installed. Depending on how McAfee got into Windows, the removal method also differs.

How to disable McAfee

Perhaps McAfee antivirus will be useful in the future and there is no need to completely remove it. It is possible to simply disable system scanning, then the program itself will be installed, but will not work until manually launched. This is an excellent option for additional protection against viruses if there are no such applications on the system.

Disabling McAfee:

  1. Expand the tray (there is an arrow in the lower right corner, to the left of the time) and click on the antivirus icon, it looks like the letter M on a red shield;
  2. Next, click on “Change settings”;
  3. Click on “Real-time scanning”;

  1. A window will open where you need to click on “Disable”, then you should select when the action will take effect. The fastest ways are after a reboot or after 15 minutes;

  1. Click on the McAfee icon in the tray again and in “Change settings” select “Firewall”;
  2. Click on “Turn off” and select a method.

Now, if you need to run the application, you will need to perform similar steps, only activate the antivirus.

How to remove McAfee

There is actually no particular difficulty in how to remove McAfee from Windows, since the procedure is standard, but there are some pitfalls. For easy removal programs you can use the system function.

Removal capabilities of Windows:

  1. Click on Start, then “Control Panel”;
  2. Select “Programs and Features”;
  3. Select the program and click “Delete” at the top.

An alternative option is to find McAfee by searching and using the Uninstall file, the result will be identical.

Unfortunately, this method may not be enough, since due to residual files in the system, other antiviruses refuse to install, producing errors or indicating the presence of other protection systems.

How to completely remove McAfee? For high-quality operation of the system, you need to completely clean it of traces of the antivirus. In the future, McAfee will no longer be able to harm the user or the stability of Windows in any way.

Standard Windows methods For this task it will not be enough; you will have to use solutions from third-party developers. Best apps niches are iOBit Uninstaller, Revo Uninstaller, MCPR. For example, let's take iOBit Uninstaller.

  1. Download the application https://ru.iobit.com/advanceduninstaller/;

  1. Find an antivirus scanner and select it with a left click;
  2. Click on the “Uninstall” button at the bottom;
  3. A window will appear asking you to create a restore point, it is advisable to do so;
  4. The standard uninstallation process will then begin;
  5. At the final stage, the iOBit scanner will check all PC storage for remnants of the removed antivirus and clean them.

In general, this approach should be enough to completely remove the program; there is only one important nuance that can nullify all efforts - this is the active work of the virus.

Virus removal

This situation is less common, but it still happens when McAfee got into Windows using a virus. More advanced options malicious code have the function of not only downloading, but also further controlling applications. Thus, after removal, after a few hours or days, the antivirus may reappear on the system.

To eliminate this problem, you will have to use a high-quality antivirus, preferably a licensed one, immediately after uninstalling the intrusive program. The only difficulty is the long scanning period; it is better to run the scan at night. Solutions from Kaspersky, NOD32, etc. are suitable.

The user is only required to install one antivirus (most paid solutions have demo versions) and run a scan. Usually this point is located right on home page application or you need to go to the “Check” tab.

Next time, when installing programs, we recommend that you take special care so as not to encounter the problem again. It is especially important at the time of installation to pay attention to the “Manual installation” item; it is almost always inactive, and the “Full installation (recommended)” icon is highlighted. If you set the radio point to the manual method, a list will be expanded of which programs will be added to the system without the user’s knowledge.


If you still have questions on the topic "McAfee: what is this program and how to remove it", you can ask them in the comments