bahjan
May 23rd, 2007, 07:46 AM
Hi,
If like me, you want to remove all traces of Norton products bear in mind (as I discovered), that the Removal Tool download from their website does not actually remove everything. I still had to do a find files/folders search - one for 'Norton' and one of 'Symantec' to find and delete everything it left behind (this included several fiddly registry entries which I had to copy and delete by hand).
Anyway although I'd still search for bits (re above) afterwards, I thought it might be worth posting advice I recieved from Symantec Tech Support regarding removal:
nb This was written with regard to Windows 98se:
This should clear off the problems that you have been experiencing and restore your software to a stable, functional state. Please follow the step provided below in the same order.
First, uninstall all Symantec products:
1. Click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select a Symantec product, Norton AntiVirus for example, and then click Add\Remove.
4. Follow the prompts until the uninstall process indicates that it has successfully removed the product.
5. Repeat these steps with each Symantec product on the Add/Remove Programs list until all of them have been removed.
Next, configure Windows to show all files:
1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your Desktop.
2. Click the View menu in the top toolbar and then click Options or Folder options.
3. Click the View tab.
4. Uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types."
5. In the Advanced settings box, under the "Hidden files" folder, click "Show All Files".
6. Click Apply, and then click OK.
Now, search for and delete all Symantec folders.
1. Click Start, Find, and then select "Files or Folders".
2. Check to be sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include Subfolders" is checked.
3. In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type--or copy and paste--the following text:
Symantec
4. Click Find Now.
5. Delete all files and folders that are found by the search.
Finish by cleaning up the Registry:
CAUTION: We strongly recommend that you back up the registry before you make any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify only the keys that are specified. Please see the document linked below for details on making a backup of your registry:
Title: 'Backing up the Windows registry'
Document ID: 199762382617
> Web URL: <http://service1.symantec.com/support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/199762382617>
NOTE: These keys may not exist on all computers. If either or both exist, please delete them as instructed.
1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type REGEDIT into the Run dialog box when it comes up and then click OK. The Registry Editor will open.
3. Navigate to and select the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec
4. Press the Delete key on your keyboard and click Yes to confirm.
5. Navigate to and select the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Symantec
6. Press the Delete key on your keyboard and click Yes to confirm.
7. Click Registry in the top toolbar and then click Exit.
At this point, your system should be completely clean of Symantec products
Clean? Humm .....I'm not so sure - I'd still do a manual search just to make sure.....Hope this helps.
Note for Moderator - Sorry, couldn't find a 'Hints and Tips' section anywhere - is there one?
If like me, you want to remove all traces of Norton products bear in mind (as I discovered), that the Removal Tool download from their website does not actually remove everything. I still had to do a find files/folders search - one for 'Norton' and one of 'Symantec' to find and delete everything it left behind (this included several fiddly registry entries which I had to copy and delete by hand).
Anyway although I'd still search for bits (re above) afterwards, I thought it might be worth posting advice I recieved from Symantec Tech Support regarding removal:
nb This was written with regard to Windows 98se:
This should clear off the problems that you have been experiencing and restore your software to a stable, functional state. Please follow the step provided below in the same order.
First, uninstall all Symantec products:
1. Click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select a Symantec product, Norton AntiVirus for example, and then click Add\Remove.
4. Follow the prompts until the uninstall process indicates that it has successfully removed the product.
5. Repeat these steps with each Symantec product on the Add/Remove Programs list until all of them have been removed.
Next, configure Windows to show all files:
1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your Desktop.
2. Click the View menu in the top toolbar and then click Options or Folder options.
3. Click the View tab.
4. Uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types."
5. In the Advanced settings box, under the "Hidden files" folder, click "Show All Files".
6. Click Apply, and then click OK.
Now, search for and delete all Symantec folders.
1. Click Start, Find, and then select "Files or Folders".
2. Check to be sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include Subfolders" is checked.
3. In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type--or copy and paste--the following text:
Symantec
4. Click Find Now.
5. Delete all files and folders that are found by the search.
Finish by cleaning up the Registry:
CAUTION: We strongly recommend that you back up the registry before you make any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify only the keys that are specified. Please see the document linked below for details on making a backup of your registry:
Title: 'Backing up the Windows registry'
Document ID: 199762382617
> Web URL: <http://service1.symantec.com/support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/199762382617>
NOTE: These keys may not exist on all computers. If either or both exist, please delete them as instructed.
1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type REGEDIT into the Run dialog box when it comes up and then click OK. The Registry Editor will open.
3. Navigate to and select the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec
4. Press the Delete key on your keyboard and click Yes to confirm.
5. Navigate to and select the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Symantec
6. Press the Delete key on your keyboard and click Yes to confirm.
7. Click Registry in the top toolbar and then click Exit.
At this point, your system should be completely clean of Symantec products
Clean? Humm .....I'm not so sure - I'd still do a manual search just to make sure.....Hope this helps.
Note for Moderator - Sorry, couldn't find a 'Hints and Tips' section anywhere - is there one?