Trouble Removing McAfee Antivirus Software? Learn the Full and Effective Way to Disable It

Many people had reported that they are unable to uninstall the McAfee after they have used it for the trial period, or after using when it came pre-installed with their new laptop.

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This type of problem is common with security programs, and it is not much alarming. However, it is necessary to uninstall McAfee entirely before installing any other security program on your system to avoid the conflicts.

If you are one of those people who are undergoing this problem, then this guide is just for you.

In this guide, we would discuss some methods that can help you to uninstall the McAfee security solution from your system completely.

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If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Uninstall using Windows Settings

The easiest method to get rid of McAfee is using Windows inbuilt settings.

1. Open Settings
   Open Settings by clicking on the Windows icon and selecting settings icon from the menu or search for settings in the search bar.
2. Go to Apps
   In the settings window, look for the Apps and click on it.
3. Search For McAfee
   In the list of apps, search for McAfee
4. You will find numerous apps related to McAfee
   
5. Click Uninstall
   Uninstall each of them one by one by clicking on them and selecting Uninstall.
6. Click Allow
   After you click on Uninstall, Windows will ask your permission to uninstall the application. When you allow it, you would be taken to McAfee uninstaller, the same interface that installed it.

Antivirus vs Internet Security

Uninstall using McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool

If you are unable to uninstall the McAfee through Windows settings, then you can try McAfee’s official removal tool known as McAfee Consumer Product Removal or MCPR tool.

1. Download the latest version of MCPR from the official site of McAfee.

2. Run it after it gets downloaded, you will notice it does not require installation.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the uninstallation process to complete. It will take some time, depending on the processing speed of the system.

4. Once done, the McAfee programs on your system should have gone. If you like to get more information, click on ‘View Logs.’

Uninstalling McAfee on a Mac

Usually, it is quite easy to remove applications from macOS. However, things are different with McAfee. It is complicated to remove it even on Mac since it does not get uninstalled in the usual way. Here are the steps to do that:

1. Check whether you are signed in with the Administrator account or not. Of not, then do that.

2. Open the Applications and click on Utilities Folder. Look for the Terminal and open it.

3. Now you have to enter a command to uninstall the McAfee from the device. However, the command depends on the version of McAfee you are using. For instance, for McAfee version 4.8 or earlier enter following command:

sudo /Library/McAfee/cma/uninstall.sh

And for McAfee version 5.0 and later use the following command:

sudo /Library/McAfee/cma/scripts/uninstall.sh

After entering the command according to your version of McAfee, hit Enter

Why Does Antivirus Quarantine Instead of Deleting?

4. The macOS should remove all the programs and files related to McAfee from your Mac device.

Final Words

So these are the top solutions to remove McAfee from your device altogether. However, sometimes you may find it difficult to remove it even after using MCPR on Windows and Terminal on Mac. In that case, it is better to get a good uninstaller to remove McAfee.

Furthermore, we understand that there might be several reasons that have prompted you to get rid of McAfee, but securing your computer is also essential. If you are not satisfied with McAfee, then there are many more alternative security program options you can go for. Windows Defender is good, but getting a proper antimalware would be more beneficial.

22 thoughts on “Can’t Uninstall McAfee? Solution to Remove Completely”

1. 
   McAfeeis Avirus

June 8, 2021 at 12:39 am
BULLS**T. This method only removes whats on the surface. Do this and then search for McAfee on your hard drive and you’ll see its all still there infecting your computer. Did McAfee write this article?
Reply

• 
  HV

February 23, 2024 at 12:28 pm
True.
Even after using the removing tool and removing manually all traces of files named McAfee, I still have a McAfee screen popping up from time to time. Nobody seems to know the solution!
Reply
2.
shiggy
September 3, 2021 at 2:11 am
i have done the verification 23 times, nothing is happening
Reply
3.
Maximiliano Medina

September 3, 2021 at 11:53 am
I don’t have McAfee on my apps but still has some files that I can’t remove and are causing me troubles.
Reply
4.
Jon Gallegos

September 20, 2021 at 3:42 am
Your hiding McAfee uninstalling tool on your site or it is not longer available. I despise this effort of marketing to avoid removal of your software and it only makes me NEVER to consider your product….this is a poor business model making many of us resent your company and the tactics to make it so difficult to remove a software on products. I will make sure the next purchase of a computer has nothing to do with McAfee.
Reply
5.
Tejinder Sidhu

November 21, 2021 at 8:19 am
Never buy McAfee
Reply

• 
  D
  November 27, 2021 at 10:55 am
  DID EVERYTHING, RAN REVO, IOBIT, MCPR, ETC, STILL HAVE LIVESAFE. STILL HAVE MCAFEE IN PROGRAM FILES AND X86 FILES!
  RUNNING WIN 10
  Reply
  *
  Tom K
  
  January 9, 2022 at 1:15 am
  Even after following all uninstall procedures McAfee services are still active and taking up memory. On the surface it appears that it has been uninstalled, but if you go to the task manager you will find that it is alive and well, just not readily seen.
  Reply
• 
  Alex Zorn

September 7, 2022 at 6:44 am
I got the joy of having it on my laptop by default, god I hate this stupid chromebook
Reply

• 
  Benton Condon

February 3, 2023 at 8:33 am
I didn’t buy or install McAfee. It’s like a virus. I never wanted it and I never use it. I believe it came in on an update. I’m like others here, I tried every piece of advise to get rid of it. It is interfering with my internet connection and I constantly have to reboot.
I only hope this comes through. Here it goes!
Reply
6.
Joakim

January 14, 2022 at 11:29 am
McAfee is pure shit. He aint dead btw. who do you think was in that military aircraft that took off from Madrid to US 2 hours of his so called suicide. He is a scumbag and shoud be treated as such..Windows Defender is all you need . dont mcafee control windows firewall..
Reply
7.
GKA
January 14, 2022 at 10:50 pm
McAfee isn’t a virus protection tool. It is the f@#$%*(virus.
Reply
8.
any name

February 13, 2022 at 1:31 am
mcafee sucks, its a trash not recommended, its bitcoin miner, if u download enjoy ur virus
Reply
9.
Kristen

February 20, 2022 at 11:33 am
This worked perfectly for me! So grateful – it was taking up an incredible amount of memory, and every time I closed it from running in the background it would pop right back up. My new Lenovo i5 laptop was running at an obnoxiously slow space – I stopped using it all together after a few months of growing frustration.
Thank you again for the walk through. I was able to uninstall the multiple downloads from McAfee and now my laptop is running like a champ!! So happy!
Reply
10.
Bob

March 11, 2022 at 8:34 pm
There should be a class action suit against McAfee for illegally commandeering everyone’s computers.
Reply

• 
  Terry

January 28, 2024 at 8:17 am
I was thinking the same thing
Reply
11.
TheDude

July 23, 2022 at 3:52 am
The most important lesson: Do NEVER buy a computer with McAfee ever in your life.
Reply
12.
Megan

May 16, 2023 at 5:21 pm
Was able to uninstall mcafee once and for all because of your recommendation of using the MCPR tool. Thanks again for all your help!
I still can’t believe McAfee was taking up 1.08 GB of memory
Reply

• 
  Martha Clark
  February 3, 2024 at 1:45 am
  I’ve tried them all. Nothing will make it go away.
  Reply

13. 
    Terry

January 28, 2024 at 8:18 am
I’ve tried everything and it’s still there
Reply
14.
Peter
February 8, 2024 at 4:49 pm
I used the McAfee removal tool and now my PC is so much faster
Reply
15.
freddie whisler

February 25, 2024 at 8:02 pm
Ive Uninstalled It And It Keeps Coming Back .Would be Easer To Sue The Piece Of Shit !!
Reply

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