How do I get rid of Norton completely?

Hi,

I have Norton Internet Security 2006 and Norton Systemworks 2006. I have heard that it is hard to get rid of them completely. Any Ideas? Is there anything else that can do what systemworks does? I am thinking of going with zone alarm and AVG. Thanks in advance for any advise.

 

Go to www.symantec.com

Search for the file called SYMCLN.exe
Download it.
Run it.
Have a beer... You're done!

 

You can also get it right here on MajorGeeks
http://majorgeeks.com/Norton_Removal_Tool_SymNRT_d4749.html

 

I couldn't find the file designed for Norton Internet Security 2006....

I've tried that before. The program doesn't give me any feedback, it won't remove Norton Internet Security 2006. Trying to uninstall from the "software" dialog in "Control Panel" results in a total lock-up of that very same dialog. Norton is slowly eating my processor's strength and disabling vital programs (like word). I've tried to manually delete the files but that doesn't work either. Editing the registry produced the same results.

I have considered reformatting the harddrive but I am quite reluctant to do so. I have got microsoft office 2003 installed and I know it can be quite a hassle to get a bitTorrent (in Dutch) as I didn't got a recovery CD containing office when I bought my system.

Can anyone please help me?

 

edited.....

 

I did not get any replies on any forums but please do not feel offended. I am posting this because I have found a solution by myself. Back in the old days I used to use a tool called msconfig.exe on my windows 98 computer. I thought that msconfig was not available anymore on xp but old (but effective!) configuration utilities die hard. Msconfig is a tool which can disable most drivers and other crap used by norton so that you can get rid of it properly. It is like editing your config.sys or autoexec.bat but it is safer since it just disables the command lines instead of deleting them. Compared to safe mode, msconfig gives you the opportunity to uninstall software (where safe mode does not). Just run the utility (Start - run - msconfig) and select DIAGNOSTIC MODE (and reboot). You may want to look for Norton registry entries after the uninstall (which should work properly) but I have not done so because I have not experienced any problems since the uninstall.

For anyone using this procedure, please post your results. I would like to know whether this works on other computers as well. It should work for any stubborn pain-in-the-crotch program that just looooooooves to stay on your system.

 

Since this applies to Norton, I'm going to ask here and hope no one thinks I'm hijacking a thread. If so, let me know and I'll start another but just didn't want to ask the same questions.
Many of these about getting rid of Norton apply. It was installed when I purchased my laptop as my antivirus etc. But it will expire and I'm being asked to purchase in six days. I tried to load Zone Alarm and Norton then prevented me from access my internet provider. I was not able to regain entry to the internet until I unistalled Zone Alarm.
What can I use from freeware that would take the place of Norton and how should I attempt to install? Uninstall Norton as above and then install Zone Alarm and AVG? Would this give me the equalivent protection as Norton?
I'm all ears. Any and all suggestions would be most appreciated. I would say I'm a novice level with my computer knowledge. Thanks.

 

Yes, completely remove Norton like they said above.

You can make sure it is gone by using CCleaner like TimW said.

Then you can download and intall these: I, like many, use both

http://majorgeeks.com/AVG_Free_Edition_d886.html

http://majorgeeks.com/ZoneAlarm_Free_d388.html

 

Just to be ornery I will offer my present choices Comodo Firewall at http://majorgeeks.com/Comodo_Personal_Firewall_d5033.html

and Antivira Guard at http://majorgeeks.com/AntiVir_Personal_Edition_7_d955.html

Actually all kidding aside I have found this combo to work much better than my previous ZA Free and AVG


Thanks for posting back Sierpinski, thats a great post and a reminder to all the power of "MSCONFIG", Oh and as everyone else forgot to Welcome to Major Geeks

 

Thanks both Cochese and BCCGay, appreciate the help.

 

Hi soldiers,

I used all the options above (I mentioned some of them in my earlier posts). I did not use the Norton Uninstall Tool after the uninstall (maybe I should) because the problems mentioned are gone. I tried the tool before the uninstall which didn't work.

Looking back on my findings I must conclude that booting using MSCONFIG diagnostic mode simply disables (at least) Norton Internet Security 2006 BEFORE IT EVEN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO START but leaves you with the freedom to uninstall programs (compared to safe mode).

I agree upon the fact that this is a procedure which may be a little tricky considering some of your computer's hardware may be disabled, so pick a rainy sunday for the job (which I have done).

Ccleaner is a wonderful program (I use it frequently) but I didn't use it specifically for this issue. It runs automatically every time I reboot so I don't worry about anything.

After all as Frank Sinatra said: "I did it my way"

 

norton needs several pgms run to unload NIS & Norton systemworks RNIS is for norton internet security, symclean for norton systemworks Rnav is for norton antivirus all are out ther if you go to symantec site ... also note well the order they are run in is critical... then run ccleaner as suggested in one of the treads
good luck..... (norton will help you with this if you contact them)
again good luck JJ