Removing Norton

I will soon be removing Norton Internet Security 2003 (with NAV) from a friend's machine. I have always heard that Norton can sometimes be pesky when it comes to removal. Does anyone have any tips on how to remove Norton smoothly and succesfully and how to verify that it was done so?

PK

 

This is typically what I do: http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...ew=docid&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=&seg=

Which also includes a .bat file and a .reg file to run.

 

OK, all of the articles on Symantec's site say to use "Add/Remove Programs" first, and if that is not successful, then follow their instructions. How do I know whether the removal was complete? I am removing it to install another AV program, so i need to avoid potential conflicts.

I hate programs that are such a pain to remove, by the way. I am not particularly confident when working with the registry, so i hope that it does not come to that.

PK

 

I would definitely run the removal tool that TimW listed. It will just help remove any left-over files that might conflict with the new anti-virus.

You can go the registry route if you still have problems.

Steve

 

That tool is for 2004/2005/2006. I will be removing 2003.

PK

 

as far as the antivirus portion of the internet suite (2003) you can use
the RNAV2003.exe removal tool found on this website:
http://service1.symantec.com/support/nav.nsf/docid/2001092114452606

good luck.

 

You can use the Norton Removal Tool (SymNRT) on 2003 if you want.

Steve

 

Man, what a pain. No program should be this difficult to remove and have that many "uninstall" programs.

Now I am confused. Where do I start? Should I start with Add/Remove? How do I know if that worked or not and NIS/NAV was completely removed? Or should I just jump right into the Removal Tools?

PK

 

Go thru Add/Remove first and then use the removal tool.

Steve

 

This of course, is highly recommended.

Note: I only stated that the method I use, a few posts above, is just a "sure fire way" of making sure that norton is gone, which also uses the symnrt program.

 

If I have to manually remove entries from the registry, can I use some type of automatic registry cleaner? (CCleaner maybe) Or does it need to be done through RegEdit?

PK

 

You may not have to remove anything from the registry.

Just uninstall NAV using Add/Remove which might do fine. You are only using the removal tool as a cleanup, making sure you get as many left over files as possible.

If you choose, using the process theefool outlined is going to get most everything.

Steve

 

OK. I guess I just want to be prepared.

Can I remove while in Safe Mode, or should I boot normally?

PK

 

OK, the uninstall through Add/Remove says that it was successful, but when I search for "Norton" I find a few entries left over. And when I search for "Symantec" i find a few there too.

Also, I searched for "Norton" in the Registry and found a few entries, but I have no idea what they mean. I am a Registry noob. I am prepared to reinstall Windows if i have to, but would rather not take this route.

How do I make sure that enough of Norton is gone that it will not conflict with the AV program I plan on installing?

Should I use those tools?

PK

 

Run the Removal Tool.

Steve

 

You think so? Even though the site says to only use the tools if Add/Remove was not successful? I mean, to the casual user, it WAS successful. It was only through digging that I discovered this stuff that was left behind.

By the way, I did discover some addtional entries in Add/Remove for components. I removed them, which did seem to reduce some of the clutter.

PK

 

OK, I removed all Norton components that I could find in Add/Remove, then ran both the Rnav2003.exe (NAV 2003 uninstall utility from Symantec) and the RnisUPG.exe (Norton Internet Security " "). All appeared successful - the tools did create logs, but I am not sure how to read (interpret) them.

I see nothing that obviously looks like a Norton program running in Task Manager or in Startup or Services in MSCONFIG.

"SymantecNetDetect.job" was in the Task Scheduler, so I deleted it.

There were a few "Symantec" folders still sitting around. Some are empty - a couple have a file or two in them. - I assume these are safe to manually delete???

When I look in the registry under HKEY LOCAL MACHINE/SOFTWARE - I see no obvious trace of Norton. But there is a "Symantec" entry with "InstalledApps," "PatchInst," and "SharedUsage" beneath it.

When I look in the registry under HKEY CURRENT USER/SOFTWARE - I see no entries for either.


So, what should I do next to make sure that this damn program is GONE so that I do not run into any trouble after installing a new AV program?

PK

 

You should be ok to install another anti-virus now.

If you do run into any problems, especially connection issues, go in and manually remove anything Symantec/Norton.

I think you will be alright though.

Steve

 

Before I proceed, I just wanted to add that when I do an actual "Find" in the Registry for both "Norton" and "Symantec" and do still find quite a few hits here and there. I just don't know what most of them are or whether they should be a concern. One site I read said to delete the folders, then go the registry and look in specific locations.
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_can_i_fully_remove_norton_antivirus_from_my_system.html

I followed these steps. (I did go ahead and delete those keys mentioned in my last post.)

Do I just ignore these other hits and move on?

Sorry for all of the questions. I have never had to go through so much to make sure a program was uninstalled.


PK

 

I would think you have removed most of the things that might cause any conflicts.

I would "move on".

Steve

 

Norton or whats left of the behemoth after you follow the instructions above will not conflict with your newly installed Av program unless vestiges are firing up in your startup menu - have a look there Go Run type msconfig and click on the startup tab to check.
HTH
Robert

 

OK. I see nothing that looks like Norton in msconfig in Startup or Services

Behemoth is right.

PK

 

Well, Avast seems to have installed without any problems. It has been running for a while through a couple of restarts and an update, and no problems thus far. I think I have succesfully liberated this PC from the clutches of Norton.

Now I just need to decide whether to equip my friend with a third party firewall (Sunbelt Kerio) or just use XP Firewall. Anything too complex would confuse her, I am afraid. The same is true for Windows Defender.

Thanks for the help.

PK

 

type regedit in run in start menu then HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

then click the program that you want to uninstall,click delete

and restart your PC

 

Just as a follow up note: I was visiting the friend whose computer I liberated from Norton (with your help) today and after a few days' use (she had been on vacation), she said she now feels "free." She has noticed an improvement in performance and enjoys the low profile, yet trustable protection of Avast. She said that Norton prevented her from doing many things with all of its warnings and "protection."

Thanks again.

PK

 

Excellent! We are happy that your friend is free of the skurge or Norton.

Feel free to come back, if you have any other issues.

 

not at all you are welcom