Offloading Symantec

Just got a new laptop loaded with Norton..want to get rid of it (Nortons software I mean)but am unable.

Have tried various methods.
Seems like I need administrator approval but I'm the only one that has used this laptop.

roy66

 

With NAV, an uninstall probably will NOT remove it all, even if the uninstall process appears successful: Rather, after the uninstall and a reboot, manually search the hard drive for any "Symantec," "Norton," or similar folders, and delete, rename, or move them. Next, search the Registry for any occurrences of "Symantec," "Norton," etc., and remove those keys. Once all the files are off the hard drive, and all the occurrences are out of the Registry, reboot.

 

This Norton utility may remove some of the Norton "left overs ".

Mike

 

Thanks for your input.
Sorry I haven't got back to you earlier as I have been on vacation.
I chose to re-format and reinstall ONLY the programs I chose.

Having not yet loaded it with data/files I figured this was the best way to go.

Really appreciate your input and are deserving of the outcome.

Thanks
roy66

 

Thanks for the update.

Mike

 

To SpywareDr

I have removed NAV some time ago. I used SymNRT. When I did a XP search for Symantec & Norton ( well let's just say there are lots of entires found) Your note said just to delete them? Please don't laugh I am not sure that I know how to manually look and then deal with the found entires.

I also searched with REGSEEKER (James I will be careful when and if I use this program) I found 80 to 100 reg keys with a search for Norton & Symantec. I am a little frightened to start deleting even a few at a time (with backups) .

I guess that I am enquiring if anyone knows a safe way to completely remove the Norton Symantec bits and pieces?

Thank you in advance loonychoons

 

Try RegHelp
http://reghelp.foryoursoft.com/

It is a paid for program but you can d/l and try each section....but it won't allow you to carry out the important actions until you pay. Try the RegSearch on it and it will just show for the word/s you have put....and once paid you could then delete or whatever action you ask of it. The program has a History section.....this will date and put any changes to that date so you can roll back if anything goes wrong.

This is one of those programs that once you start using that you will never touch any other Reg programs ever again....inclusing the Windows own RegEd.

 

loonychoons--I think it best to follow SpywareDr's advice which is specific to Norton and Symantec.
If you have WinXP, you click Start|Search|type Norton or Symantec in the "All or part of the file name line ", make sure "Look in" indicates your hard drive and click Search. Right click on files/folders found and click Delete. You will be asked if you want to send to the Recycle Bin. If you right click and choose Rename, you can rename instead.
Then to edit the Registry, Start|Run|type regedit|OK. Click Edit|Find|enter Norton or Symantec. Right click each item in the right panel|Delete. Then click F3 to start the search for the next item. Deletions in the Registry have to be done one by one. Repeat until you are told there are no more entries.

Just to be safe, before starting to make deletions, be sure you can recover from any problems. If you have WinXP and know that System Restore is running, create a Restore Point. That should offer good insurance about restoring the Registry. You can also, as SpywareDr has suggested, rename the files you find, which will disable them, or put them in the Recycle Bin but do not delete for a week or two to see if you have any problems. You can restore if needed.
If you properly uninstalled NAV (using Add/Remove followed by SymNRT), you should not have problems deleting the remaining files and Registry keys.
And the above assumes the only Norton or Symantec program on your PC was NAV.

 

Thanks Jim

I did exactly as you suggested all is fine. With everything up and running. Lenny

 

Hey, Lenny

Great to hear you're leery of using these registry clean-up programs. In spite of the hype they generate, they can "really" mess you up. Welshjim's advice was spot-on (it usually is) and I'm glad it all worked out for you.

 

Yes, indeed, good news. Glad to have been of some small help. I only elaborated on the basic ideas which came from SpywareDr.

 

Yeah, but that's often the "essential " ingredient for those of us less skilled.

roy66