How to remove Symantec/Norton Products

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?

 

To save your time, restore you system.

 

You just have to run the norton removal tool and you'll be fine.
You can download it here. http://www.freewarefiles.com/program_9_104_15892.html

 

look at the bolded part in the first post

 

Maybe he did not use the last version.
With me it deleted everything

 

usually "their website" = latest version available at one time.
my results with the tool varied too, maybe it's all luck. Anyway a manual scrub won't harm anything.

 

No symnrt does'nt remove everything but it removes enough.
If you want to remove these search for anything norton and symantec related in folders and registry although depending on what is installed some registry items may reference 'norton' or 'symantec.'

 

I agree 100%.

 

My thinkpad came with Symantec Client Security. I successfully removed all traces of it by making a freash clean reinstall of Windows XP...

 

I've tried to uninstall NIS 2007 on my PC with SymNRT Latest.. Its still leave many traces of Norton/Symantec in the registry or folders. So I decided to use JV Power tool to search registry and deleted all Norton/Symantec key.. Then i manually searched for the norton/symantec folder and have deleted.
After I restarted my computer.. It said that Windows can not start because file c:\windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrupt.. bla..bla..

So because of norton i had to repair my windows again.. and it took me our to finish...

Does anyone here know how to really clean this Norton?? I mean without having to use restore point or clean install XP..

Thanks in advance

 

1) It isn't necessary to use a registry cleaner
2) See post #7

 

Maybe I have just been lucky, but I have removed Norton from at least 5 machines. I just used the Control Panel, and then did a search for both Norton and Symantic and then deleted them. One might also find it advantageous to go to the Documents and Settings and remove anything there if found.

I admit others have had major problems, but I have not.

Best,
Jerry

 

Just wanted to add a note: when I installed Superantispyware Free,v3.8 the installation detected changes made by Norton Internet Security 2003 still on my system and allowed me to reverse them - this was despite having run
1. Windows Add/Remove
2. Norton removal tool (the new one)
3. The advice at the beginning of this thread.
4 Manual search find files/folders.
5. Running a registry scan/fixer tool.

 

After removing the several Norton/Symantec entries in Add/Remove, and after running the latest SymNRT, I prefer to also run a TCP/Winsock repair utility to rebuild the TCP and winsock files virgin fresh....help get rid of further junk from the dreaded Norton/Symantec stuff off of the PC.

 

The 100 % proof way to do it is to buy a laptop/PC, where Norton isn't even preinstalled to the system.

The second solution, erase the disk and install Linux instead, it's even free.

Best regards,
Firefighter!

 

I consider the Norton Removal Tool to be Symantec's best product.

 

If I had a dinero for everytime I heard someone say pull the ripcord everytime they get a little inconvenience...

 

I hear ya. It's usually the less savvy folks recommending clean installs on a regular basis.

 

I remove a tested Norton product with the Industrial Snapshot Technology, which removes the Norton Tattoo completely.

 

Great program, but you need a prescription to get it in New York.