You do not use the McAfee antivirus installed and activated by default on your PC? It is in your best interest to uninstall it to recover storage space and free up your computer’s resources. A simple operation with a free tool.
When you buy a new PC, it is not uncommon to find software added by the manufacturer during its factory configuration, without you having asked for anything. These are the famous bloatware from commercial partnerships between the PC manufacturer and application publishers (see our practical sheet to uninstall them). The goal: to try to convince a new user to use their tools by automatically installing them on the PC. This technique is also very frequently found on Android smartphones where some social network, online shopping or game apps can also be installed from the start.
The most annoying thing about Windows is that some software is not only installed by default, but also already activated. This is particularly the case with antivirus software, which is supposed to protect the PC against all kinds of attacks. Supposed only because they are generally trial versions of short duration: beyond a few months “offered”, they prove to be ineffective as long as one does not take out an obviously paid subscription. Thus, while he believes he is safe, the average user finds himself without protection… and without knowing it!
A situation that we encounter, among others, with McAfee LiveSafe, the security suite from the publisher McAfee, installed by default on PCs from major brands – Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, etc. If it carries out its primary mission well, it turns out to be greedy and cumbersome. Launched by default with Windows, it occupies a significant amount of disk space and, above all, constantly runs many processes that monopolize system resources (processor and RAM) to the detriment of other applications, and slowing down the PC. Also, she likes to pop up once in a while with a notification to buy another product from the publisher. Hard…
Fortunately, you can get rid of the McAfee suite – it’s even strongly recommended if you don’t switch to the paid subscription after the trial period! For this, it is better not to use the uninstall function of Windows programs. With it, the McAfee antivirus can be recalcitrant or not completely disappear from the system, leaving some traces. To remove it completely, the easiest way is to use a program designed by… McAfee! This free tool will take care of removing all traces of the squatter antivirus. You should obviously not forget then to activate Microsoft’s antiviral protection or that of your choice. Here’s how.
How to uninstall McAfee LiveSafe on a Windows PC?
Your new PC comes with McAfee LiveSafe and you don’t want to use this antivirus? Its clean and efficient uninstallation will only take you a few minutes thanks to McAfee Consumer Product Removal, the free tool offered by McAfee.
► Start by repatriating McAfee Consumer Product Removal (MCPR) on your PC.
► Open your download folder, then run the executable file (with .exe extension). In the first window that appears, click Next. Then check the box Approved then click Next.
► Enter the requested Captcha code and validate.
► The tool will then detect the McAfee programs present on the PC and uninstall them. The operation can last a good ten minutes.
► At the end of the operation, restart your PC by clicking on the button Restart Then Yes.
► When the PC has restarted, run a virus scan. To do this, click in the notification area of the taskbar and choose Windows Security.
► In the window that appears, choose Protection against viruses and threats in the left column, then click Quick Scan. The Microsoft antivirus will then start and check the files present. It will now be your default antivirus.
Note that if Microsoft antivirus does not match the performance of other reputable security tools – Bitdefender Total Security, ESET Smart Security Premium, Kaspersky Premium, etc. –, it is regularly ranked among the best on the market by independent organizations, such as the famous German institute AV-Test which regularly publishes the results of its comparative tests. And it is more than enough to provide effective protection in daily use. Especially since it is completely free and constantly updates with Windows Update!