Running two antivirus products on the same computer can cause system instability, degraded performance and maybe the inability to identify a virus correctly. I’ve even heard of a case where someone managed to install as many as 3 antivirus on his computer and yet no problems. I would say he is just plain lucky and one day the antivirus will conflict and give so much trouble that he won’t be able to recover Windows from the crash. It is very important that any previously installed antivirus software is uninstalled from your system before proceeding with the installation of the next antivirus that you would like to install.
The standard method of uninstalling an antivirus is from Add or Remove Programs but sometimes the uninstallation process would hang and you won’t be able to remove the antivirus from your system. When this happen, you can try using the removal tool provided by the antivirus company to remove the installed antivirus. I always have a list of uninstallers for antivirus software on my USB flash drive. Here I am sharing with you guys my list and perhaps it could help you uninstall an antivirus program that you’re having trouble uninstalling..
Most of the uninstallers below are very straight forward. Just download, run the file and click a button to proceed with the uninstallation. Some is a little more complicated and requires more steps which I’ve noted.
1. avast!
Special note: Boot Windows to Safe Mode and run the uninstall utility.
[ Download avast! Uninstall Utility ]
2. AVG
[ Download AVG Remover 32-bit | 64-bit ]
3. Avira
Special Note: Avira doesn’t have a removal tool but they do provide a registry cleaner to remove traces of Avira so that you can reinstall and then uninstall. This tool is in German, you’ll have to click on the button called “Keys auslesen” to search the registry for any issues. Then place checkmarks next to the registry entries you wish to delete and click the “Löschen” button to delete the keys.
4. BitDefender
[ Download BitDefender Uninstall Tool 32-bit | 64-bit ]
5. Computer Associates
Special Notes: Computer Associates uninstaller requires internet connection to verify and download the full version of uninstaller.
[ Download CA SupportBridge for 2008 | 2009 products ]
6. ESET
Special Note: This is an unofficial dutch language ESET removal tool.
7. F-Secure
Special Note: The uninstaller will automatically reboot the computer without warning.
[ Download F-Secure Removal Tool ]
8. Kaspersky
[ Download Kaspersky Anti-Virus Remover ]
9. McAfee
[ Download McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool ]
10. Windows Live OneCare
[ Download Windows Live OneCare Cleanup Tool ]
11. Norton / Symantec
[ Download Norton Removal Tool ]
12. G DATA
[ Download G DATA AV-Cleaner ]
13. Panda Security
[ Download Panda Security Uninstaller ]
14. Trend Micro
Special Notes: After download, extract and run TISTOOL.exe file. Click the Uninstall tab, and then click the Uninstall button. Select the Trend Micro program that you’d like to uninstall from the drop down box and click Uninstall.
[ Download Trend Micro Diagnostic Toolkit 32-bit | 64-bit ]
15. AppRemover
Special Note: AppRemover is an unofficial tool to uninstall security applications such as antivirus and antispyware from your computer. Other than able to support removal some of the antivirus above, it can also uninstall Spy Sweeper, Trend Micro PC-Cillin, SpyCatcher, Sophos, SpyBot, Spyware Doctor, Norman, Spyware BeGone, Ad-aware, Bazooka Scanner, SpywareBlaster, eEye Blink, ClamWin, CheckPoint, BullGuard, RISING and AhnLab V3 VirusBlock.
Phew that was long. I had this in my WordPress draft for many many months but didn’t have the time to finish it until today ;)
I have searched for days to find someway to uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials from my computer. I haven’t found a site yet that was successful. I thought I had deleted it, got a Trojan virus and found a great site to remove it, but hit a snag at one point because apparently some of the files haven’t been deleted form somewhere. HELP!!!! I’ve searched the regedit and can’t find a trace of MSE but an error box keeps popping up while trying to get rid of the Trojan virus saying “the folowing real time scanners are active, please disable”. Problem is I can’t find MSE on my computer since supposedly uninstalling it to disable it. Any ideas anyone??? Thanks!
great work – thanks a bunch;)
Since it semms a well known fact that Norton Software gives you BSODs for free, why doesn’t anybody stop them?
Hope my BSODs stop soon…
Thank you very much. I found a collection of removal tools – AV Uninstall Tools Pack.
Download: uninst.ru/index/0-36
Hi Raymond!
This is my first time here.
Firstly, Thank You for your list and
your helpful information.
I couldn’t get the F-Secure link to work, but with a quick search, I found it with your info.
I thought you might appreciate that!
below:
ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/support/tools/uitool/UninstallationTool.zip
Please send me Unistaller or Removal Tools for Emsisoft Anti Malware antivirus
I have ‘supposedly’ anti virus software, that just appeared on my computer today. I am unable to run my MSSE as I tried. Keep getting popups that say “Click this message to install the latest windows security software. Also popups that say click here to remove these threats immediately. According to this no applications can be executed as they are infected.
Please help
By the by, I trying to remove the Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner which doesn’t work on Win 7 64x. The removal procedure given on the Windows Live Center doesn’t work. Would the Windows Live Cleanup Tool remove ONLY the Scanner? Or should I try AppRemover?
Congrats on the award! Nice blog, especially for a newbie like me.
thanks for the list of UNINSTALLER these are very helpful.. i also encountered the same problem where i cannot delete my present antivirus..thanks for your blog, now i have the idea how to remove it.
Some of the links are dead. Could someone pls fix it.
Thanks for the great links! Very helpful.
how do i get rid of Prevx3.0?
thanks ray, this usefull collection of uninstallers we all need
Very good and useful article! Thanks for the hardwork. Congrats!
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVAST_ANTIVIRUS.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVG7CORE.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVG7RSW.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROL\SET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVG7RSXP.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVG8WD.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVGCLEAN.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVGIO.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVGLDX86.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVGNTFLT.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVGNTMGR.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVGTDI.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CONTROLSET001\ENUM\ROOT\LEGACY_AVGTDIX.
and CONTROLSET002 same too.., AVAST UNINSATLL UTILITY, AVG REMOVAR and also REVO UNINSTALLER can not delete it…
Thanks for the uninstallers. Congratulations for winning the award !
VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE, I THINK THE SECURITY SOFTWARE VENDOURS SHOULD GIVE OR PREPARE THE UNINSTALLERS AS SOMETIMES UNIBSTALLATIONS BECOMES A BORING AND LONG PROCESS THANKS
Or replace all of the above with Revo Uninstaller, which works perfectly.
Nice, now do you have one for iolo System Shield? Using process explorer, I still see it running under services
I just removed avast from my pc and installed bitdefender internet security 2009 after I bought it from their site. It’s better with this one. I feel more protected against threats.
woow ..You I was the first one to get notified about raymond winning..col.
cheers
Mr Raymond:
Very useful for me. How should you know I needed this?
Thank you for all your effort,
Best regards,
thnx a lot, ray. i was recently having loads of trouble to uninstall my kaspersky. u are a life saviour
Hey Raymond,
Heartly congratulations, for being declared as 2009′s Best Technology Blog by Chapeau Blog Awards.. Hats off man!!
Raj
Congratulations Raymond for being named 2009′s Best Technology Blog by Chapeau Blog Awards… You truly deserve it..
Hey what can i say keep up the good work everybody here agrees you deserve this award =) Raymond.
congrats on the win ray :)
Hey Ray,
Congratulations man! I was extremely happy that you WON the best blog award for 2009….. I feel like I won this…. Keep going…. I will support you as always…..
Sam
Congratulations Ray for being named 2009′s Best Technology Blog!!!
:-) :-) :-) :-)
Nice article. I have one similar but I had never heard of the AppRemover. Thanks!
You WON the best blog award!
Too right!
Congratulations.
:)
Hey raymond..you won the tech Blog Award men..I got an emaill..
congrats man…….Good Luck..
Thanks Man.
A VERY useful list Raymond – THANK YOU !
Warmest congratulations on winning the tech blog award – it made sending a number of emails to friends urging them to vote for you, worth the effort ! Well done – carry on the good work Sir !
This is a very usefull article, congratilations Ray
Hi Raymond,
Congratulations to you and your world-famous blog!
“Congratulations to Raymond.CC Tech Blog for being named 2009′s Best Technology Blog!”
I’m very, very proud of this great achievement. I have my vote all over it!
All the tireless, resourceful effort poured into Raymond.CC is simply beyond compare.
More power, friend Raymond, and keep it up.
I’ll vote for you again and again … as long as I can!
Mabuhi ka, Raymond!
Junn.
i know this hasnt got out to do with this but well fone on winning the best blog for technology
THANK YOU RAY NICE REMOVAL TOOLS AND CAN ALWAYS BE HELPFUL ;-)
One of the best posts in a long time. This one is sure to be bookmarked as everyone at one time or another has the need to uninstall one of these products.
Hay Ray..
2009 Chapeau Blog Awards Winners!
Congratulations to
Raymond.CC
Tech Blog
for being named 2009’s Best Technology Blog!
You definitely deserved it!!
Budy
Congratulations to Raymond.CC Tech Blog
wow
nice tip
thanx alot Ray
u r the best
:-)
Congratulations Ray for winning the Chapeau Blog Award for best Technology Blog. Everyone, three cheers for Raymond………
Our votes made it :)
Good find and will be handy for people.
Just one question, do we run this tool after we uninstall it manually or use this tool to uninstall it?
wow, great finds, thanks for the info ray!
best post in along time ray
hi, thanks for your updation, it very useful in my work.
Hey Raymond, congrats for being named the 2009′s Best Technology Blog. You definitely deserved it!!
useful. nice . thankyou
Raymond….this is great info…which is also the reason you were voted 2009′s Best Technology Blog by Chapeau Blog Awards!!!! Congratulations…you deserve it!!! I for one say Thank you Raymond!!!
Congratulations Raymond.cc
Congratz dude!
chapeaublogawards.com/2009winners.php#technology
thanks ray for sharing us your favorite tools, :)
great info!!!
thanks dude..
Very interesting. Any idea how to remove Avast completely? I tried the avast uninstaller that should remove in safe mode……can’t now get into safe mode!
System restore makes no difference by the way. M$ vista home premium.
Really, did ramond.cc won? Congratulation man.. you deserve it… :) BTW, nice article… thank you..
Congrats on getting voted the best tech website Raymond. This site is certainly one of the best ones out there and has helped me a lot many times over the past 1-2 years. You certainly deserve this.
Thank you.
Raymond,
Today’s list of uninstallers is another good example why I have created a folder just for your newsletter, which is also the first thing I read every morning. Thank you for all your hard work and I constantly refer to your information.
Thanks
I’m glad you won the award. Congrats to you and all of those behind the spotlight that help you out also!!!!
congrat ray for being the best 2009′s Best Technology Blog!
Hi Ray, many thank’s to you….congrat’s Raymond.cc Tech blog______ for being named 2009′s Best Technology Blog! Keep it up! Ray,you are BEST!…
Hey Ray..
2009 Chapeau Blog Awards Winners!
Congratulations to
Raymond.CC
Tech Blog
for being named 2009′s Best Technology Blog!
Yoohoo Ray.. I am so happy that you got the best. You deserve it. I and all my friends voted for you. I was so happy when I saw the results.
As ever you rock today also with this wonderful product.
thanks
Vanamali.S
Thank you Ray for the post. And here I thought I was protecting every corner of my PC. I have Cleanse Uninstaller Pro so I guess I better start removing Apps, but which ones are ok to leave? I Have Advanced System Care 3, Iolo System Shield 3, Windows Defender, Windows Doctor, Arrange Startup, Registery Mechanic, Ad-Aware, Hijack This, Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, SUPERAntiSpyware, I should have realized I was falling into the catagory of “too much of a good thing”,
But I do want to let you know how much I have learned from you and your posts. Thank you.
Great list Raymond but……. if you could find a Drweb remover that would be great, I’ve found it virtually impossible to uninstall.
Cheers.
Thanks .Very comprehensive
hey ray please answer to this!
You have mentioned about “kon-boot cd” on an early article.
when i use the cd,my pc gave a messege named
“Windows NT has not found enough extended memory. 7Mb of extended memory is required to run Windows NT. You may need to upgrade your computer or run a configuration program provided by the manufacturer.”
PLEASE SOLVE THIS RAY….I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL…………….
Sorry Raymond, I scrolled too fast:)
Try this one Windows Steadystate..
wow, useful review, thanks Ray
hey, why i can’t dig this article?! :(
“This URL has been widely reported by users for one of the following reasons: being used to spam Digg’s submission process, posting spam content, or posting off-topic content”
Err juhani, I’ve already included AppRemover in the list. I guess you must have just scroll right to the bottom and commented.
i downloaded norton removal tool but it says”the file is corrupt”…
thanks a lot for this nice information..
Thx Raymond, really usefull. And thank you again for all your work :)
i too have problems uninstalling AVs.
& i too tried the above removal tools $ suceeded
but it’s good to have all at one place.
good work ray!!
nice post ray……thanks very much
its very useful for me avg never remove properly and conflicts with kis 2009
Thanks!
Ever heard of (or tried) OPSWAT AppRemover?
appremover.com/
nice list of uninstaller..
Some antivirus engine should be cleanly removed and these applications are really handy in order to not create conflict when we choose to instal another antivirus.
Thanks xje4bv, updated.
You mistagged Bitdefender as “Download AVG Remover”.
Yeap I had to use them very frequently because the students in one of the educational lab always install their own favorite AVs.
thanks raymond great article ,i always get problems when uninstalling AVG it is bad even when remove .
hi ray…..this is pretty much needed by everyone i suppose….thanks….