Removing Norton Internet Security

[LenC]

I purchased a new computer that had NIS preinstalled. I uninstalled it and also ran Norton software removal tool.

However, I am still seeing a symantec process called VIPUIMANAGER. It starts everytime I reboot the computer.

Any ideas as to what it is or how I can remove it?

Thanks,
Len

[malexous]

It is probably a part of Symantec VIP Access, which may be listed as VIP Access in your installed programs list.

[ellison64]

Originally Posted by LenC

I purchased a new computer that had NIS preinstalled. I uninstalled it and also ran Norton software removal tool.

However, I am still seeing a symantec process called VIPUIMANAGER. It starts everytime I reboot the computer.

Any ideas as to what it is or how I can remove it?

Thanks,
Len

Does it have its own installer that can be removed in add/remove programs?.If not type msconfig in start.run and check startup items and disable it.You can also check services or task scheduler to see if its running from there.

[steve1955]

if it isn't listed in start-up list of when you run msconfig,some processes don't show there,download Autoruns:-that lists lots of apps that run not showing in msconfig and allows you to disable them

[Montmorency]

you can go to the location C:\Program Files\Symantec\VIP Access Client\VIPUIManager.exe and delete it.
You should also look for files and folders (there are bound to be some) and delete them as well.
You can use Ccleaner or Auslogics to clean the registry.
Finally you should erase left behind drivers: Windows Button -> Control panel -> System -> Advanced system settings ->
System properties -> Advanced tab -> Environment variables

Then add a "New" System variable
devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices with a value of 1

Press OK on all screens.

Then, go to device manager. Then enable "Show hidden devices" in the View menu.

Then navigate to "Non Plug n Play devices".

[LenC]

Wow - that's a lot of helpful information. Thank you everyone!

Problem is solved - this is what I did...

- I checked installed program list. It's not there.

- It wasn't showing up in add/remove programs.

- I downloaded and ran AUTORUN. What a great utility! I'd heard of it before, and shame on me for not using it sooner.

- Autorun showed it under "...\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects". I unchecked it and rebooted - the process is gone!

- I understand I can delete the program files as suggested by Montmorency, which I will probably do. I don't, however, understand the recommendation to add the new system variable. What will that do for me? How will that help me erase left-behind drivers?

Again, thanks everyone. I learned some interesting things and fixed my little problem.

Len

[Montmorency]

Originally Posted by LenC

I don't, however, understand the recommendation to add the new system variable. What will that do for me? How will that help me erase left-behind drivers?

The new variable will allow you to see all drivers in Device Manager.
Left behind drivers may cause serious conflicts.

[AlexC]

RegSeeker can be handy to help you remove leftovers. Go to "Find in registry" and search for "symantec" and in the end of the search you'll have the option to remove the registry entries. Also search for "norton". Hope it helps.

[berryracer]

Use AppRemover to unintsall your antivirus/security suites in the future or even to simply to get rid of leftovers

simply run it, then let it do the cleaning after it scans your system

http://www.appremover.com/

[AlexC]

Yes, AppRemover is great but it doesn't fully remove all traces. Normally i use the AV own uninstaller, the AV specific removal tool, do a manual search for folders, use AppRemover, and finally RegSeeker. In my experience, this normally is enough to avoid conflicts when installing other AV.

[LenC]

Surprisingly, Vipuimanager is still appearing as a process - I thought I had removed it.

So this is what I've done...

I tried to delete a symantec file folder on my computer. It was blocked with a message saying that files are in use by other programs - even though I had manually stopped the Vipuimanager. However I was able to delete the single file named vipuimanager.exe. I'm thinking that might solve the problem even though I have this symantec folder left on my computer.

Appremover wasn't helpful. I ran it and it found nothing! I would have expected it to find both remants of Symantec and my current AV program (AVG).

I started to download regseeker, but I received a message saying it was downloading a download manager called zoomdownloader. I didn't want to add to my problems with this downloader program so I stopped it.

So I think my problem is solved in a sloppy sort of way - hopefully VIPUIMANAGER is gone for good, but with that symantec folder still sitting there.

[AlexC]

Originally Posted by LenC

I started to download regseeker, but I received a message saying it was downloading a download manager called zoomdownloader. I didn't want to add to my problems with this downloader program so I stopped it.

Regseeker doesn't come bundled with anything.
That was probably related to the website from where you tried to download it, if you're still interested try Softpedia

[Victek123]

Originally Posted by LenC

I tried to delete a symantec file folder on my computer. It was blocked with a message saying that files are in use by other programs - even though I had manually stopped the Vipuimanager. However I was able to delete the single file named vipuimanager.exe. I'm thinking that might solve the problem even though I have this symantec folder left on my computer.

Have you tried booting into SAFE mode to delete the folder? If that doesn't work then you will definitely be able to delete it if you boot with an optical disk (CD/DVD rescue disk). I make rescue disks with UBCD4WIN, but you can use anything that supports NTFS so you can browse the hard drive.

[LenC]

Thanks AlexC, I downloaded from Softpedia as you suggested.

And I was able to delete the folder. There was another Symantec process running. After I stopped it, I was able to delete the folder.

Finally, goodbye to Symantec!