McAfee Anti Virus removal and Installation

Can't remember for sure what I did last year (age related!)


My McAfee subscription is about to expire and I have ordered a new McAffe 2009 Internet Security Suite CD-Rom from Amazon.

Question: (At this point disconnect from internet.) I am right in thinking that it is best to completely remove my present edition using 'Add or Remove Programs' from the Control Panel first then use a program to remove all other McAfee traces from the registry?



I think last time I used McAfee Clean Up Tool, what do other's use.

Please confirm I am on the right track

I had the exact same question earlier today. My McAfee program ran out as well. Looking it up, I found sites saying you should remove it first and other sites saying you don't have to since it's the same product, just an updated version. The latest McAfee program will recognize the older version, but I don't know if removing it first is better or not.

Edited by denvid, 26 February 2009 - 06:56 AM.

Hi doresy,

After disconnecting from Internet, I would first disable McAfee's resident protection (to ensure a smoother uninstall process), then as you said, uninstall using 'Add or Remove Programs', reboot and finally run the McAfee Removal Tool, rebooting again when finished.


Hope this has helped .


Edited to repair link.

Edited by RedDawn, 25 February 2009 - 08:41 PM.

I agree with RedDawn. To make sure that things go right, follow RedDawn's instructions.

Hi back to RedDawn

Well thanks for the great link. You couldn't have been more helpful if you'd come and done it for me!!

When it arrives from Amazon I shall be following the instruction carefully. Have saved the Cleaner Tool ready and will print off everything I need before disconnecting from the internet.

Thanks again.....love the avitar btw.

Cheers

Doresy

You're most welcome, Doresy.


Best of luck .

Ok, so the McAfee arrived from Amazon (brilliant service) this morning.

I opened it and the slip of paper inside said uninstall all other anti-vius program. If upgrading from previous version of McAfee, simply begin installation.

Now I know I would prefer to uninstall old version then install new one as per advice given on here. But, are there any pro/cons to whether I do as the slip of paper says or what I have be advised here?

I know I am kind of repeating original question but I really do need to get it right. Cheers (I have about 4 days to make up my mind before subscription runs out)

Hi Doresy,

If upgrading from previous version of McAfee, simply begin installation.

If this is what McAfee instructs, then going this route should be fine.

Hi Doresy,

If upgrading from previous version of McAfee, simply begin installation.

If this is what McAfee instructs, then going this route should be fine.

Yes it is tempting, I'll give it a go.

Ok, so I have just done what I should have done in the first place.....ask McAfee

They said to remove all traces of old version including the uninstall wizard before installing new version.

So there we have it but I am glad I asked here first and special thanks to RedDawn for the assistace and the link which I am going to use...........done

No bother, Dorsey,


I also use McAfee myself and have no complaints, but it doesn't quite inspire confidence when a McAfee Rep. contradicts the instructions originally received with your disk, although I do agree with the Rep. and a fresh install is what I would have one.

Not sure if you've installed McAfee yet, but I noticed on another thread that you may have Spybot and AdAware installed. It has been known that Spybot may cause problems when installing some McAfee products and you may have to temporarily uninstall it, not sure about AdAware.

Also both of those programs have some form of Real-time protection, Spybot has Teatimer and AdAware has Ad-Watch Live. Either or both of these active might cause conflicts with McAfee, I would either disable their Real-time protection or replace both programs with the FREE versions of the much better alternatives of SUPERAntispyware and/or Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM), I use both and neither will cause any conflicts.


Don't know if you have these already, but here are some useful McAfee links:
Customer Service Chat (Free Internet Chat and Eamil).
Technical Support Chat (Free Internet Chat).
McAfee Support Forums
McAfee Virtual Technician (MVT)

Edited by RedDawn, 02 March 2009 - 04:13 AM.

Not installed it yet but I have uninstalled AW and S&D and installed RedDawn's recommendations. Thanks again