Stump the PC Club is a free tech-advice column written by members of the North Orange County Computer Club, which has been in existence since 1976. Visit the club’s site at noccc.org.
QUESTION: I just purchased a new PC which came with a trial version of Norton Internet Security. I tried to uninstall it but it quit part way through and didn’t complete the removal. I want to use another antivirus program but now I’m stuck. What are my options?
PC CLUB: Many new PCs come with a trial version of Norton Internet Security, McAfee Internet Security or other security programs. In case you’re wondering, these companies pay the PC manufactures a few dollars for placing these trial versions on the PCs to tempt us to purchase the full license. Frequently there are better options and some are free.
One of the ways to remove trial versions of software is to download PC Decrapfier from www.pcdecrapfier.com. For a list of what it removes click the link on the left named What it Removes. As you will see it removes a large number of programs. An alternative is to open the Control Panel and use the Add/Remove Programs in Windows XP or Programs and Features in Windows 7.
When you first run PC Decrapifier it will ask if you’re running it on a new PC. You can also run the program on an older PC. The program is compatible with all Windows versions and a portable version requiring no installation can be found at http://bit.ly/pcremovaltool. Be careful with PC Decrapifier and only remove what is necessary.
Should Norton get stuck when trying to uninstall it, try the Norton Removal Tool at bit.ly/removenorton. McAfee also has a removal tool at http://bit.ly/mcafeeremoval. Use these tools only if the above methods do not do the job.
In general, should you have problems uninstalling any software there are several programs that specialize in this. One of the best programs for this is the free Revo Uninstaller available at http://bit.ly/revofree. For more free alternatives see http://bit.ly/freeuninstallers. For one of the best non-free uninstallers try Advanced Uninstaller Pro at http://bit.ly/advanceduninstall for $39.
Several Internet Service Providers such as Cox Cable offer a free McAfee security suite. My experience is that it tends to slow down your PC so I don’t recommend it. There are better free alternatives including Microsoft’s Security Essentials available at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/.
When installing an antivirus program, make sure that all previous such programs have been successfully uninstalled. It is possible to have multiple anti-spyware programs installed at the same time, however.
Ed Schwartz is a member of the North Orange County Computer Club. To send in a question, go to edwardns.com and click the Contact Me menu. Archives of previous columns are also on the website.