How to Uninstall McAfee Antivirus (Easy Steps in 2024)
Reading time: 21 min
Updated on September 21, 2023
Uninstalling McAfee completely from your device can be frustrating. McAfee (and other top antiviruses) come bundled with so many extra files and software that can make completely removing it from your device a little tricky. Below are step-by-step instructions to show you how to properly uninstall McAfee.
Once you have followed the steps to uninstall McAfee, getting a replacement antivirus is crucial if you don’t want your device left vulnerable to malware and attacks. After testing the best options available, I’ve picked out the top 5 antiviruses to replace McAfee.
Each antivirus I’ve picked offers excellent protection, but I consider Norton the top choice thanks to its 100% malware detection through scans and in real-time. Also, you can try Norton completely risk-free as it’s backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee, which I found easy to claim.
Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Uninstall McAfee Antivirus From Any Device in 2024
- Look for McAfee in your installed apps. Open your device’s installed apps menu and find McAfee.
- Click/tap on Uninstall. Click/tap the uninstall option after selecting McAfee in your installed apps menu.
- Wait for the uninstall to finish. Wait for the uninstallation to finish, and McAfee will be removed from your device by the end.
How to Uninstall McAfee From Any Device
Windows:
Step 1: Open Windows’ Apps & Features Menu
To uninstall McAfee, you need to open Windows’ Apps & features menu. Type “Add or remove programs” in the search bar and click the first tile to open it.
Step 2: Find McAfee and Select Uninstall
Type McAfee in the search bar and click on its tile once it appears. After that, click on Uninstall.
Windows will warn you that the app and all its info will be uninstalled. Click on the Uninstall button on this warning to proceed.
Following these steps will launch McAfee’s uninstaller, which will take care of the rest for you.
Step 3: Use McAfee’s Uninstaller to Remove the Security App
McAfee’s uninstaller will first ask you to select which McAfee apps you want to remove. In my case, there’s only McAfee Total Protection. However, if you have other McAfee apps installed, you’ll also see them here. To remove McAfee antivirus, check the box next to McAfee Total Protection.
McAfee will then ask if you want to remove files for the security app. Only do this if you want to replace McAfee with another antivirus, as it’ll remove all your data. However, leave the box unchecked if you plan to reinstall McAfee after this.
After checking the necessary boxes and clicking Remove, McAfee will give you one last warning explaining you have an active subscription. Click on Remove again, and the uninstaller will begin removing McAfee from your system.
McAfee’s uninstaller will now remove the security app from your system. The process takes a few minutes and varies depending on how fast your PC is, but it’s usually fairly quick.
Restart your system after the uninstall finishes to complete the process.
That’s all you have to do to remove McAfee from your PC. However, if you have trouble with these steps, you can use the McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool (MCPR) to remove the security app from your system.
Android:
Step 1: Open the Apps/Applications Menu from Your Android’s Settings
Navigate to your Android device’s settings, open the Apps Menu and click on Manage Apps.
Step 2: Find McAfee in Your Installed Apps
Browse through your list of installed apps and find McAfee.
Step 3: Tap on Uninstall and Confirm
Tap the Uninstall button after opening McAfee from the installed apps menu.
Finally, tap on OK to confirm the uninstallation and remove McAfee from your Android
Mac:
Step 1: Close Any Open Browsers and Open the Applications Folder in the Dock
You should close any open browsers before uninstalling McAfee from your Mac to ensure all browser plug-ins are removed properly. Afterward, open the applications folder in your Dock to find McAfee’s uninstaller.
Step 2: Launch the McAfee Uninstaller
Double-click McAfee’s uninstaller to start the process. The name might be McAfee Internet Security Uninstaller or slightly different depending on which McAfee app you’ve installed.
Step 3: Enter Your Administrator Password and Start the Uninstall
After the uninstaller opens, click continue. The final step is to type in your administrator password and click OK to start the process. Once you’ve done all this, the uninstaller will take care of the rest and uninstall McAfee from your system.
iOS:
Step 1: Tap and Hold the McAfee App
Installing McAfee from iOS is simple; just tap and hold the McAfee app until the icons start wiggling and you see a minus sign next to each one.
Step 2: Tap the Minus Sign
Once the minus signs appear, simply tap on the one next to the McAfee app to remove it from your iOS device. When asked, select “Delete App” from the dialog.
Step 3: Tap Done on the Top Right / Press the Home Button
Tapping the minus sign will remove McAfee from your device. After this, tap the Done button at the top right or press the home button to go back to using your iOS device as usual.
The Best Antivirus Software to Install After Removing McAfee — Full Test Results in 2024
1. Norton — #1 Antivirus With Best-In-Class Malware Detection That Guarantees Airtight Security
Key Features:
- Finds 100% of malware in real-time and via scans
- Offers parental controls, web protection, and a built-in VPN
- Secure firewall with a variety of customization options
- Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Live chat and phone support
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Installing Norton is an excellent way to secure any device. Its industry-leading malware detection, impressive feature variety, intuitive interface, and helpful customer support make it the best security app you can get. Also, it comes with multiple plans, meaning you can easily find one that perfectly fits your needs.
After thoroughly testing it, I was impressed with how effectively Norton detects and eliminates malware. It offers Quick, Full, and Custom Scans. Its Quick Scan took under 2 minutes, while the Full System Scan took roughly 10 minutes, and both detected 100% of the test malware I hid on my system.
You’ll also find a built-in VPN in Norton that lets you surf the web safely and anonymously. Norton’s VPN uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption to mask your traffic. Plus, it has a no-logs policy, meaning it never keeps any of your browsing activity on its servers. Alongside the VPN, you’ll get up to 250GB of encrypted cloud storage (in the US) that you can use to store sensitive files or documents safely.
There are multiple other features in Norton that help add extra layers of protection. These include the following:
- Parental Controls — Useful tools to help monitor, manage, and secure your kids’ online activity.
- Dark Web Monitoring — Checks the dark web to see if any of your credentials have been leaked.
- Web Protection — Protects you from visiting dangerous websites while surfing the web.
- Password Manager — Provides safe storage for all your credentials.
- PC SafeCam — Stops unauthorized parties from accessing your PC’s webcam.
If you ever face problems, Norton’s customer support is a great way to get any help you need. You can contact an agent via live chat or the phone, and they’ll provide the help you need to fix almost any issue. Its website also has detailed information to assist with common problems.
There are multiple plans you can choose from if you decide to get Norton, which include:
- Antivirus Plus — The basic plan which protects 1 device, offers 2GB of cloud storage, Norton’s firewall, and its core antivirus features.
- 360 Standard — Has all the features in Antivirus Plus, protects up to 3 devices, and includes Norton’s VPN, PC SafeCam, and Dark Web Monitoring.
- 360 Deluxe — Offers all the features in 360 Standard, 50GB of cloud storage, Norton’s Privacy Monitor, and parental controls. Also, this plan protects up to 5 devices.
- 360 Select — Includes all the above features while offering Norton’s full suite of ID Theft Protection features, 250GB of cloud storage, and protection for up to 10 devices.
Norton’s 360 Deluxe plan delivers the best value for money. However, I found all Norton plans affordable, considering their features and the fact that you can subscribe for as low as
2. TotalAV — Helps Improve Your System’s Performance While Detecting All Traces of Malware
Key Features:
- 100% malware detection through various scans
- Optimization tools help improve your device’s performance
- WebShield browser extension protects you from malicious sites
- Protects Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
A combination of excellent security and optimization features make TotalAV worth installing. Its Smart Scan helped me free up a lot of space by detecting and removing various junk files on my system. Plus, it offers Quick, Full System, and Custom scans which effectively eliminate malware.
TotalAV delivered excellent results when I tested its virus scans. The scans detected 100% of the malware samples I planted in my system. Unfortunately, TotalAV’s real-time protection only detects 99% of 0-day threats, while competitors like Norton have a 100% malware detection rate in real-time.
Other useful security features in TotalAV include:
- Built-in VPN — Encrypts your online traffic and keeps you completely anonymous online.
- Data Breach Test — Checks if any of your credentials have been leaked in data breaches.
- Password Vault — Secure storage for all your logins and other sensitive information.
The optimization tools in TotalAV help it stand out. Its System Tune-up feature finds ways to free up space and enhance your system’s performance. I freed up over 1GB of space on my system after it found various junk and duplicate files I could delete.
TotalAV has 3 plans you can choose from, including the following:
- Antivirus Pro — TotalAV’s basic plan, which offers core antivirus features, web protection, and optimization tools for up to 3 devices.
- Internet Security — Offers TotalAV’s Safe Browsing VPN alongside the features in Antivirus Pro and protects up to 5 devices.
- Total Security — Has all the features mentioned above and adds TotalAV’s adblock and password manager while protecting up to 6 devices.
You can get TotalAV for as low as $19.00/year, but I recommend getting the Internet Security plan because of its excellent value. Also, since a 30-day money-back guarantee backs it, you can try TotalAV completely risk-free. I even tested this guarantee and had my refund approved after a minute-long conversation with an agent over the phone. Afterward, I had the money back in 2 working days.
3. iolo — Easy-To-Use Antivirus That Provides Top-Grade Windows-Only Protection
Key Features:
- Detects all malware on Windows devices via its 2 scans
- Comes with optimization tools that free up space and improve system performance
- Highly intuitive app that’s easy to use
- Has a password manager to encrypt and store your credentials
- 30-day money-back guarantee
iolo delivers excellent Windows-only protection in an intuitive package. It features an easy-to-use interface, several optimization tools that improve your PC’s performance, and reliable virus scans that remove malware from your system.
While running tests, I found that iolo excels at removing malware through its Quick and Deep scans. Its Deep Scan is a bit slow, taking over an hour, but it successfully finds 100% of malware. I also like that iolo never flags any false positives, meaning you can rely on its scan results.
You’ll also find other useful security features in iolo, such as the following:
- Privacy Guardian — Prevents websites from tracking you and building a profile using your information.
- Drive Scrubber — Securely wipes the contents of a drive so the data can’t be accessed again.
- Password Manager — Provides secure encrypted storage for all your passwords and sensitive information.
iolo’s major highlight is that it comes with many excellent optimization tools. For instance, its All-in-One PC Cleanup is an excellent tool that removes junk files, fixes registry issues, and optimizes your PC’s performance. Plus, iolo’s Startup Optimizer will help your system boot faster by disabling unnecessary apps and services.
There are various plans available if you decide to get iolo, including:
- Malware Killer — iolo’s basic plan, which offers on-demand malware detection and removal.
- System Mechanic — Offers iolo’s optimization tools, network protection, and security updates.
- System Mechanic Pro — Has everything in System Mechanic and adds iolo’s System Shield, Search and Recover, and Drive Scrubber.
- System Mechanic Ultimate Defense — Offers everything in System Mechanic Pro and includes iolo’s Malware Killer, Password Manager, and Privacy Guardian.
You can subscribe to iolo for as little as $23.99/year, but I advise getting its System Mechanic Ultimate Plan as it offers the best value. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try iolo completely risk-free. I found it easy to get a refund as all I had to do was send an email to customer support to request mine, which was processed within a day. I had my money back just 3 days later.
4. Bitdefender — Pairs Its Excellent Malware Detection Rate With an Impressive Variety of Features to Safeguard Your System
Key Features:
- Offers various scans that detect 100% of malware and secure your system
- Built-in firewall that’s secure and has several customization options
- Has several features like a password manager, built-in VPN, and parental controls
- Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Bitdefender is a feature-rich security app with excellent malware detection. It offers Quick, Full System, Vulnerability, Rescue Environment, and Custom scans to secure your system. Alongside its flawless malware detection, Bitdefender offers a password manager, a file shredder, and various other features that improve overall device security.
Bitdefender’s scans delivered solid results across all of my tests. Its scans detected 100% of the malware I hid around my system. Also, it offers 100% detection against 0-day malware in real-time, meaning you can trust to keep your devices safe. I also like that it didn’t highlight any false positives during its scans.
Bitdefender’s firewall is especially impressive. It provides effective security and an intuitive interface that lets you easily set rules for different apps.
Being a feature-rich security app, you’ll find many tools in Bitdefender that provide additional security and help your devices run better, including:
- Ransomware Protection — Secures your devices from ransomware attacks that can encrypt your data.
- Built-in VPN — Provides safety and keeps your identity hidden as you browse the web.
- Anti-Tracking — Prevents web trackers that can monitor your activity and build a profile on you.
- SafePay — A secure browser where you can use e-commerce and banking sites with peace of mind.
Bitdefender has various plans you can choose from based on your needs, including the following:
- Antivirus Plus — Bitdefender’s basic plan with its core antivirus, limited 200MB/day VPN, and protection for 3 devices (Windows only).
- Internet Security — Has everything in Antivirus Plus and offers Bitdefender’s Privacy Firewall and parental controls.
- Total Security — Offers all the above features, includes Bitdefender’s optimization tools, and protects up to 5 devices (Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android).
- Premium Security — Comes with all the features in Total Security but also offers an unlimited VPN and Bitdefender’s password manager.
- Ultimate Security — Includes everything in Premium Security and adds Bitdefender’s ID theft protection.
The cheapest Bitdefender subscription is $24.99/year, but I suggest getting Total Security as it supports all platforms and delivers the best value. Regardless of your plan, you can try Bitdefender risk-free for 30 days thanks to its money-back guarantee. After testing it, I easily claimed my refund via email. While it took a few days to get a response, I had my money back within 5 days of the refund’s approval.
Remove threats with Bitdefender
5. Panda — Combines Reliable Malware Detection With Useful Anti-theft Tools and Other Security Features
Key Features:
- Successfully blocks 100% of real-time threats.
- Protects you online with its web protection and built-in VPN.
- Helps recover your devices with reliable anti-theft tools
- Built-in password manager to safeguard your credentials
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Panda’s reliable malware detection and impressive feature variety make it worth installing. You can use it on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Also, Panda’s effective anti-theft tools easily locate lost or stolen devices.
I tested this app extensively, and Panda’s virus scans delivered great results throughout all tests. Its scans include a Critical Area Scan, Full Scan, and Custom Scan. The Critical Area Scan is Panda’s quick scan and took only 3 minutes, while its Full Scan took under an hour to scan 900,000+ files. While they aren’t as fast as Norton’s, Panda’s scans effectively detect and remove 99.7% of malware, which is impressive.
You’ll also find that Panda provides airtight security through its reliable web protection and VPN. Its web protection keeps you from opening unsafe sites and downloading malicious files, while the VPN secures your activity with AES 256-bit encryption. Plus, the VPN keeps you completely anonymous.
You’ll also find other useful features in Panda, including:
- WiFi Protection — Provides tips to improve your WiFi network’s security.
- Password Manager — Secure storage for your password and credentials.
- USB Scanning — Scans and disinfects any USB drives you connect.
Panda offers multiple plans you can subscribe to, like the following:
- Essential — Includes Panda’s antivirus features, 150MB/day VPN, and WiFi protection.
- Advanced — Has all of Essential’s features and also includes parental controls and ID protection.
- Complete — Offers Panda’s optimization tools and password manager alongside the above features.
- Premium — Provides priority customer support and Panda’s unlimited VPN besides all the features in Complete.
Panda’s final price depends on how many devices you want to protect, but the cheapest plan is $22.50/year. I found Panda Dome Complete to be the best value of all plans as it includes all security features. Whichever plan you choose, you can try Panda risk-free for 30 days as it’s backed by a money-back guarantee. It took me 8 days to get my refund when I requested mine via web form after testing the security app.
Quick Comparison Table: 2024’s Best Antivirus To Do a Clean Install
| Malware Detection via Scans | Web Protection | Parental Controls | Password Manager | Lowest Price | Money-Back Guarantee | |
| Norton | 100% | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 60 days | |
| TotalAV | 100% | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | $19.00 | 30 days |
| iolo | 100% | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | $23.99 | 30 days |
| Bitdefender | 100% | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $24.99 | 30 days |
| Panda | 99.7% | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $22.50 | 30 days |
How I Tested and Ranked the Best Antiviruses to Install After Removing McAfee
I looked at several things when picking the best antiviruses to get after uninstalling McAfee. The following are the key criteria I relied on:
- Malware detection capability — I checked how effectively the antiviruses detect malware through their scans and in real-time.
- Feature variety — I analyzed the bonus features the antiviruses come with and whether these features help improve security.
- Ease of use — I tested how intuitive and beginner-friendly the antiviruses are.
- Value for money — I looked through the different plans and only suggested antiviruses that deliver great value for money.
- Customer support — I prioritized antiviruses with reliable customer support that’ll help you with any issues you face.
- Money-back guarantee — I only picked antiviruses with tried-and-tested money-back guarantees so you can try them risk-free.
Protect your system with Norton
FAQs on Uninstalling McAfee From Windows, Mac, or Any Other Device
Why should I uninstall McAfee?
Uninstalling McAfee isn’t advised, as it leaves your device vulnerable. However, there are some cases when you need to uninstall it, like when trying a new antivirus or updating to a newer version of McAfee.
Another time you may also want to uninstall McAfee when switching devices. For instance, when switching from Android to an iPhone, you’ll have to uninstall McAfee and get a reliable iOS antivirus instead.
How can I uninstall McAfee?
Why can’t I remove McAfee?
Removing McAfee is quite easy in most cases, but you might run into issues sometimes. You may have conflicting antivirus software interfering with the uninstall. In some cases, you might have even uninstalled McAfee successfully and are seeing some leftover services like McAfee’s Web Advisor. You can follow the same steps to remove these services as well.
Of course, your device will be vulnerable after uninstalling McAfee, even with Windows’ built-in threat protection. So, getting a replacement antivirus as soon as possible is best to maintain airtight security.
Which antivirus should I get after uninstalling McAfee?
Secure Your System With a Reliable Antivirus After Uninstalling McAfee
No matter why you uninstall McAfee, installing a replacement antivirus afterward to secure your system against threats is crucial. Luckily, nowadays, you can pick from several great antiviruses that provide airtight security.
All the antiviruses I’ve listed above are excellent at removing malware and keeping your devices safe, but Norton is easily the best choice. Its industry-leading malware detection, various useful features, and intuitive design make it the best overall security app.
You can try Norton completely risk-free for 60 days. The guarantee for a refund stands out as the most extensive amongst the options presented, enabling you to thoroughly evaluate each aspect of the security application and determine its suitability for your requirements. If the app doesn’t meet your expectations, obtaining a refund is a straightforward process, typically completed within a week.
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