Norton Internet Security / Norton AntiVirus

[baroque-quest]

I have some problems with my PC (don't ask) and I want to start over without reinstalling Windows 7.

I need to uninstall Norton AntiVirus and then reinstall it.  Which is better to uninstall it:

 - use Control Panel to uninstall Norton and then run Norton Removal Tool

 - just run Norton Removal Tool

I ask this because uninstalling Norton in years past was a chore: first uninstall Norton, then uninstall LiveUpdate, then remove all folders that the uninstall missed, and then clean up the registry.

[yank Trojan Terminator · Accepted solution]

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baroque-quest wrote:

I have some problems with my PC (don't ask) and I want to start over without reinstalling Windows 7.

I need to uninstall Norton AntiVirus and then reinstall it.  Which is better to uninstall it:

 - use Control Panel to uninstall Norton and then run Norton Removal Tool

 - just run Norton Removal Tool

I ask this because uninstalling Norton in years past was a chore: first uninstall Norton, then uninstall LiveUpdate, then remove all folders that the uninstall missed, and then clean up the registry.

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You may get a different opinion from others, but I feel the remove from Control Panel, run the NRT and then reinstall is the way to go.  Running just the NRT (without removing from Control Panel) has caused driver problems in the past because the product drivers were stuill runnning when the NRT "ripped" the program from the system.

Liveupdate is no longer a separate program as it was in the old days.  Also your best bet for the reinstall is to go into your Norton Account (on the system yur are installing it on) and use the yellow download button - that gives you theost current available download and you'll have feweer runs of LiveUpdate to come totally up to date.

There are items intentionally left behind (text of your product key and also ID Safe data) - so the registry cleaner may remove something it should not.  Caution advised - I never use a registry cleaner, unless absolutely necessary to correct a specific problem.

Let us know how you get on.

[baroque-quest]

Thanks for that reply.

You confirmed my opinion.  I have had device driver trouble with first going to super-uninstall techniques, so starting with Control Panel sounds like a plan.  I use one registry cleaner, CCLEANER, and have used it for a long time with no problems.

Would you mind explaining further regarding ID Safe data?  I googled on that and found lots of responses on the subject of Internet Security and 360, but none for AntiVirus.  I never ask browsers or security software to save passwords, so I do not care if I erase it.

Maybe this was obvious, but I have AntiVirus 2012.

[huwyngr Norton Fighter]

As Yank says ... Norton deliberately leaves some stuff behind and removing this may only make life more difficult!

I really would advise against registry cleaning -- I've seen too many PCs crippled and needing the reinstall you want to avoid..

I use CCleaner and Revo Uninstaller myself but I wouldn't use either in this case and I rarely run the Registry element of CCleaner without very carefully scanning what it wants to remove and unchecking anything I'm doubtful about. "When in doubt, say not out!" 

I have had one personal experience of a reinstall of a Norton product misbehave after running the Revo all 4 stages cleanup. May not have been related but it did happen.

[baroque-quest]

Oh never mind.  I see that Identity Safe is an add-on product (free download).  That does not look like something I want.