Anti Virus Software Removal Tools Overview
Uninstalling anti virus software on a computer system is sometimes not a trivial task as security software tends to add components deep into the system to provide protection from various threats PC users face these days.
It is useful if you want to make sure that one product is removed completely from a computer running Windows, for instance before installing another product to replace it with.
The need for anti virus software removal tools arises, if the default removal process fails, for instance if the installation itself did not complete correctly.
This leads to a messed up computer system usually that could throw all kinds of errors at the user. It could also break other anti virus software either during installation or usage, for instance if the new program cannot be installed before the old one (or what is left of it) is removed first.
So-called anti virus removal tools have been created to remove traces of anti virus software effectively from the computer system without relying on the official uninstallation routine.
Anti Virus Software Removal Tools Overview
They run a series of processes that delete files, Registry settings and other parameters or options that have been installed by the antivirus software during installation.
Below is a collection of anti virus software removal tools that have been created by developers of said tools but also by third-parties.
First-party removal tools
- Avira Registry Cleaner
- Avast Removal Tool
- AVG Remover
- Bullguard Uninstall Tool
- Bitdefender Uninstallation Tool
- eScan Removal Tool
- ESET Uninstaller
- F-Secure Uninstallation Tool
- G Data AVCleaner
- K7 Uninstallation Tool
- Kaspersky Removal Tool
- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Clean Uninstallation Tool
- McAfee Consumer Products Removal
- Microsoft One Care Uninstall Cleanup Tool
- Norton Removal Tool
- Norton Security Scan Removal
- Panda Anti Virus Uninstaller
- Panda Cloud Internet Protection uninstaller
- Trend Micro Titanium and older programs
- Zonealarm
Third-party removal tools
Manual Removal Instructions
- Avira
- Comodo Internet Security
- Lavasoft
- Microsoft Security Essentials
- Sophos
- Spybot Search and Destroy
- SuperAntiSpyware
- Vipre Antivirus and Internet Security
- Webroot
Did we miss antivirus software uninstallation tools in the list? Let us know in the comments.
Update: The programs are regularly updated to keep up with the yearly new releases. It can happen that developers change the download urls of the programs when they release a new version. We try to keep up with the ever changing versions that get released. Some links may lead to pages that do not exist anymore. Please let us know about those in the comments so that we can fix them.
Update 2: We have updated a couple of links and added a few new ones to the list.
try appremover it can remove any security software including antivirus antispyware or anything else.
I miss a removal tool for NOD32 / ESET
Please inform me of any Avira AntiVirus software removal tool, can’t seem to remove mine at all… thanks
Guy’s try to learn more on defending your system More than using any software. Use your self to learn on how to defend your system . The action of these Malicious ware is always evolving. So updating your self is just easy as you are updating your Antivirus. Try on checking this blog site for the latest and also try to check the site like this (http://www.systemsecurityinstitute.org/) to learn more on system defensive measures.
computer associates: tinyurl.com/cat9wh
trendmicro : tinyurl.com/cz46zj
nod32: tinyurl.com/23fzxl
norton/symantec removal tool: tinyurl.com/276bgo
anyone know the password for the symantec corporate cleanup tool?
I use Revouninstaler and it does a good job.
FreewareGenius wrote about Appremover application for this purpose –
http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/13/how-to-uninstall-anything-free-apps-that-get-the-job-done/
Didn’t tested it, but I think it can be useful.