McAfee has entered my computer and will not leave.

Edit update: I see I put this in the wrong place. It needs to go in, The How to Remove category.  I am sorry.

Hi, I need help with this terrible program that will not remove even after using Windows 11 removal tool and Mafee's removal tool. I have read horror stories of people having to reformat their OS HD to get the program out. As far as I am concerned this is no better than a virus or a troublesome Malware. I did not ask for this program and it must somehow have tagged along on a program I downloaded. I know, I need to pay better attention. Can I manually remove this? Or is there a powerful uninstall program that will remove this dog out of my computer? Last, how is it they are getting by with this as I read of a huge number of people with this issue. Please help. Thank you for your time.

Edited by shellback84, 17 December 2023 - 01:00 AM.

It was nothing you did....Many OEM manufacturers provide (bundle) promotional trial versions of anti-virus programs preinstalled on computers as part of their software package. It is not uncommon for a computer manufacturer to partner or enter into an agreement with a well known anti-virus vendor (McAfee, Norton, Trend Micro) to include their product as part of a marketing strategy for generating revenue. Computer advertisements that say they include anti-virus protection is a selling point for many buyers. McAfee may also come bundled (without your knowledge or consent) with other software that your download and install.

• Why is McAfee on my computer?
• Why Does McAfee Still Exist on My Computer?
• For Symantec and McAfee, ‘Arms Race’ for Security

I have uninstalled McAfee from three new computers (all with it preinstalled) this past year following the below instructions.
 
McAfee recommends you uninstall using the Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10/11 before running the MCPR (McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool) and to ensure that you activate your McAfee subscription before you uninstall if your McAfee products were pre-installed by your computer manufacturer. You might need to enable the Super Administrator account. In most cases, using the uninstaller of the software not only removes it more effectively, but it also restores many changed configuration settings.

• How to remove McAfee products from a PC running Windows <- be sure to read the note if McAfee came preinstalled
• How to Completely Uninstall and Remove McAfee with MCPR tool or via the Super Administrator Account from Windows 11
• McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool alternate download 1
• McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool alternate download 2

Note: Sometimes the uninstall works more effectively if you first stop and disable the program's service (and associated processes in Task Manager) or perform the removal in safe mode so there are less processes which can interfere with the uninstallation.

If you followed the procedure provided by McAfee and you're still having problems uninstalling, then I recommend contacting McAfee Technical Support (Home and Home Office) which provides assistance with uninstall/install issues and other techincial questions.
 
Important Note: As a preinstalled product...this also means the third-party anti-virus software most likely will be included on your factory recovery disks or recovery partition. If you ever restore using recovery or use the vendor's recovery disks, that anti-virus will be reinstalled as part of the default software that came with your computer.

Bleepin Gumshoe, first off love the Dick Tracy icon. We finely have the watches and have gone to the moon. Only a Tracy fan would know what I am talking about.

Anyway, I built this computer so I control what goes in and out. I found out that "McAfee", was a tag along after I downloaded Adobe Reader. There was no: "Do you want to download McAfee anti virus program along with with the Reader? Had there been, the answer would have been a resounding NO!!!! Why would anyone want two anti virus programs? I went into a tail spin over this as I could not get the darn thing out of my computer. I was ready to reformat and reinstall Windows 11. What companies like that do not realize is, I am offended by that behavior, why would I even do business with a company that invites itself uninvited and yes my time is money just like theirs is?

I did finely get it out by doing like what you stated and that is, remove it in safe mode. That seemed to do the trick so far. I do not trust that they are completely out and I have run some cleanup programs in hopes to insure it is completely gone.

Anyway thanks for the help.

Not a problem....

You may still find these leftover McAfee Service entries after Uninstall:

McafeeIntegrationDriver
mcafeeintegrationservice
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\mcafeeintegrationextension.inf_amd64_768b84b9afa518ce\mcafeeintegrationservice.exe -service

• How to Delete a Windows Service on Windows 10/11
• How to Delete a Service in Windows 11

 

I found out that "McAfee", was a tag along after I downloaded Adobe Reader.

McAfee security scan is the culprit. It is pre-checked for installation. Not super noticeable.

Personally, I have given up on installing Adobe since all the current web browsers can open PDF files.

Personally, I have given up on installing Adobe since all the current web browsers can open PDF files.

+1 and there are several free alternatives without all the bloat.

BTW...Major software vendors like Adobe and Java have been bundling third-party software and utilities like McAfee Security Scan Plus without knowledge or consent of users for years. In June 2010, Adobe Reader began installing McAfee Security Scan Plus. Adobe also used Flash Player updates to install McAfee. In February 2011, Oracle began bundling McAfee Security Scan Plus with Java updates. The software wss installed by default with the updates unless you unchecked the McAfee installation box as you were updating.

McAfee Security Scan Plus is a free diagnostic tool which allows you to check your anti-virus, firewall protection, and web security status. When a scan is completed, you will be provided with a report indicating the status of your security protection and recommendations for solutions if any problems are detected. McAfee Security Scan is not meant to be a replacement for anti-virus software.

• McAfee Security Scan Plus FAQs
• McAfee Security Scan Plus: What It Is & Should I Uninstall It?

In response to complaints, McAfee created a Knowledgebase article (Document ID: 000001560) explaining How to remove McAfee Security Scan Plus.

Online Tech publications have written some unfavorable reviews:

• McAfee Security Scan Plus – Advice That You May Not Want
• Adobe updates Flash against security flaw - but watch out for the extras
• Adobe Flash Virus - McAfee Security Scan Plus Scam