I’ve read and followed your instructions about how to remove the dreaded Norton Anti-Virus from my Microsoft Windows XP computer, but somehow the $#$@ thing isn’t fully removed yet. Dave, this is driving me batty! Is there some additional or updated instruction you can share with us? I hate Symantec!!
First off, you’re right, the older article Removing Norton Antivirus from your System is a bit, um, long in the tooth. The problem is that companies keep releasing new versions of software, new solutions to prevent exploits, and everything is basically unendingly complicated!
Norton does have some tools on its site to help with uninstalling the application fully (see Commonly Used Symantec Tools but if you’re like me, you’d rather do it yourself.
Well, I like to know how to do it myself, but we’re all quite fortunate that PC fixit guy David Rice has made his very detailed Norton removal instructions available, and that’s what I’m including here…
- Go to Start –> Control Panel –> Add/Remove Programs.
- Scroll down to your Norton/Symantec program
- Click Change –> Remove All.
Upon completion of the Remove All process, you will be asked to restart your PC. Do so. - Now go to Start –> My Computer –> Program Files. Right click on each Symantec (or Norton) folder and select Delete.
Restart your PC. - Go back in to Program Files. Except now go to the Common Files folder at or near the top of the Program Files window. Delete every Symantec (or Norton) folder there.
Restart your PC. - Go to Start –> Search –> All Files and Folders –> More advanced options. Check each option except for Case sensitive
Now type Norton in the search box.
Delete each Norton folder from the search results (Again, right click, choose Delete)
Restart your PC. - Repeat step 6 except type Symantec in the search box.
- Now let’s go into the Registry. Be Careful here. First thing to do is Back up the Registry. I’ll be saying more about the Registry later, but suffice to say the presence of uninstalled security software in the Registry can conflict with newly installed security software and cause system freezes. For that matter, so can folders of “uninstalled” programs. Once again, go to the Start menu, but this time, you want to click on Run then type in regedit.
- Go to the top of the Regedit window. Click the + next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER to open the section (Hive). Go down the thread until you see Software. Click on Software and scroll down until you see Symantec. Right click on Symantec and choose Delete.
- From there go down to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and repeat step 9.
Restart your PC. - Again, go to Start, click on Run. Type in regedit
Click (+) next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
Click (+) next to Software.
Click (+) next to Microsoft.
Click (+) next to Windows.
Click (+) next to CurrentVersion.
Select the Run folder.
Right-click and delete each Symantec and NAV (Norton Antivirus) entry you see (if present).
Go To HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and do the same thing.
Restart your PC.
There is more we could do in the Registry but for now these steps are sufficient.
[Not quite done. David includes the following important update that explains some additional litter that Norton drops into the registry and nees to be deleted –DT]
I was a little hesitant about adding additional steps in the registry when I first put this procedure up on the net. I didn’t want users to spend too much time in the Registry given how dangerous it can be to make even a tiny mistake therein.
Upon further reflection, though, I think adding one more step to this procedure does not really constitute any more of a risk for users than following (carefully!!) the steps I outlined above. The benefit of taking another step to remove Norton from your Registry outweighs any possible risk to your system. It’s critical that you follow my instructions to the letter to avoid risk!
The additional step I want you to take is to go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT is the top section (Hive) of the five sections in the Registry. It’s on top of HKEY_CURRENT_USER which is on top of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Click on the little + to open the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive. Scroll way down until you get to the Symantec entries. Now just right click on each Symantec entry and hit Delete (making sure not to delete anything that isn’t explicitly listed as Symantec!!)
Restart your PC.
Last Step: If you don’t already have it on your PC, I encourage you to download a copy of CCleaner. It’s a good disk cleaner that gets rid of leftover program files. Upon completion of installation, open CCleaner and hit the Run Cleaner button in the lower right of the CCLeaner window. After CCleaner has finished, keep CCleaner open and click on the blue square icon on the left panel with the word Issues under it. Hit Scan for Issues. When it’s doneyou should click on Fix Selected Issues in the lower right hand corner of the program window. Follow each prompt, clicking on “yes” for “Do you want to backup changes to the registry?” Then click Save to save the backup to disk, and click on the Fix All Selected Issues button. Click on OK when asked “Are you sure you want to Fix all selected Issues?”. Click Close and…
Restart your PC.
Done.
From everyone who reads this entry, a hearty thanks for your help with this thorny problem, David!!
Dave, you are amazing!!!!
Hi Dave,
I read all the info you have given here but I’m not able to uninstall nav 2007 from control panel, it gives me an error and after a few seconds it shuts down the pc, there is some kind of virus that’s not letting me remove the damn thing. Pls help!
Thanks
Sandy
Will the above steps be enough for Norton AV 2009? I noticed there isn’t even support on the Symnatec site for the removal of 2009. I just got a brand new computer and this thing is screwing up my graphics card driver. I’m on the line with tech support right now, but I’m fairly certain when it comes down to it, I’m going to need to remove the jaws of this monster from my machine. I’m just wondering if there are any additional steps that I would need to take or differences in finding the files.
Thanks,
Nick
Hi
Thanks for your fantastic instructions. I believe I have now uninstalled Norton! However when i did a search just to check there is a file XMLConfig_symantec that remains. should I delete that also?
thanks, Sarah
On the uninstall of Norton security: When I go to control panel, programs and features, scroll down to Norton right click, remove/uninstall, I get an error message that reads “system can not find specified path”. When I try to go to: start my computer, program files it won’t delete because it says there is another folder open. I don’t have anything open. How do I find the specified path to uninstall this junk?
By using the delete program feature on my pc, I removed my Norton files. Now, all of “my documents” files are missing which were extensive. How do I find my excel and word files?
I didn’t follow the instruction about backing up the registry before I uninstalled the symantec folder from the hkey local machine. When I went to the website to try and back up, it told me I had to be logged onto the administrator account to perform the operation. What should I do?
Hi Dave can you help each time i restart my computer i get a box saying C:windows\system32 winRAR self extracting archive and another one saying Path/File access error 75-vb stub can you please help me get rid of these 2 things Please Thank You
Dear David,
I am not sure whether I will be able to understand and manage all your instructions.
But for the first time since four days I now believe that there still is a small chance to stay away from the madhouse.
Thank you.
PS: I’ll hate Norton and Symantec for EVER.
Dave, I’ve followed your instructions down to the letter and went over it 3 or 4 times but my windows security center still tells me Norton’s firewall is on?! I’ve got no idea why because I can’t find a single Norton or Symantec file on my computer! Any ideas?
Dave,
I have a system (my daughter’s-you get the picture..), which has two versions of Norton Antivirus. Everytime I try an uninstall of either one, I get an error code 999,172, which then takes me to the Norton site. I have tried the Norton Uninstaller, and Absolute Uninstaller, all with no success. I can’t open either version of them (they appear to be corrupted).
Is think they are version 2005 and 2007. I have the original disk for the 2005 version, but not the 2007.
If I can’t get past the basic uninstall process for either version, is there anything else I can do?
Running Windows XP Home on Dell Dimension 4600 Pentium 4
Hi
I have followed your step to remove nortons but when I go to addand remove I get to the step number 3 (click change and remove all and a message come uo ( The specified module could not be found) but when I try to install Trend antivirus it says I have to remove nortons first . Please help
Thanks Alison
Dave I have NAV on my vista,is it best to follow your instructions or goto website for uninstalling Norton tool.
I wasn’t to sure as most of your instruction relate to windows xp.
Hi Dave,
My Norton 360 expired few days ago and I uninstalled using the XP – control panel – program removal tool and also the Norton removal tool.
I tried to installed another Norton 360 on the same PC. But it keep telling me that my subscription has expired and do not allow me to key the new product key. It looks like the old product is still there and can’t be removed. Please advise how can I remove the old product key and install the new Norton 360. Thank you
John
Acer laptop, amd dual core 1.9, 2GB, vista (no sp1 yet)
I removed NIS 2008 trial version, which I never sctivated, via add/remove programs. I have not loaded any other anti virus or anti spyware.
I used the Norton removal tool next.
Then I went into the registry and removed a few entries, SymNRT, SymBinder, and SymReader. Didn’t see any NAV/NIS entries.
I saw an entry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/.sym/PersistentHandler, that I am not sure about? Should I remove this?
I am trying to install AVG 8.0 (free version), but I still get a warning that another anti-virus program is there.
(I have used the identical install file on an XP Home + SP2 system, and it installed fine after I removed Norton with add/remove programs, so I know the install file is good)
Dave, very good explanantion. thanks.
I uninstalled Norton from the control pannal but to my horror found that I still have the updater on my computer.
I tried to remove it bu it states tht it’s still has Symntec/Noron programs running. ARGH….. How do I get rid of the thing?
Hello Dave,
I saw so many good comments about your method on how to remove norton peices from a pc. I just bought a new Sony Vio laptop with Vista Home Premium and it had a trial norton av. I have uninstalled it from the machine using add remove programs and now I am trying to install symantec corporate 10.2 build 276 on vista but its giving me errors saying i dont have sufficient priveleges to start the symantec service. Please suggest what should I do. I can follow your steps to clean the registry but am not sure whether these instratuction are for XP or Vista. Also, am not sure whether this willwork or not. ANy ideas??
Thanks in advance,
Gigs
I have 3 files in each the Norton and Symantec Shared Folders that will not erase. I have followed the step to turn everything at Startup/Services off except the microsoft services, and I have removed Norton using remove programs. Can I go on to the next steps or is there someway to get rid of those final finals? (Some of the names are NavShEXT.dll, NAVShEsx. loc and Res.dll
Dave,
I also suffer from the Norton curse. I have Norton Ghost which I am using for backups, do I have to remove it also. Actually have the entire suite, System Works, Antivirus, FireWall the whole bit. What amazes me is how it keeps getting worse. Have had these products for several years now and it hasn’t been more than the last 6 months to where it has finally pushed me over the edge to switching. So again, the main question is, do I have to remove everything to get control of my PC back?
Thanks,
Mark
Thanks a bunch Dave. It might be helpful to note that I had to go into task manager to stop the &*%$#*! symantec process to fully delete three files in the common files / symantec folder. They were running and would not let me delete them.
Thanks again.
John
I will try to uninstall Norton
dave i have a comment to make in the last step to take you say use ccleaner (i agree it is a good prog) but when you say click on the blue square issues icon on the left , there is no such icon there, you have to click on the “registry icon” to see the scan for issues. otherwise you have a top notch page here, i am so glad i found it. thanks james
I usually stop any running program prior to uninstalling it. This was not mentioned in your steps. Is it necessary to stop the Symantec/Norton processes?
Thank you,
Joe
Hey Dave 🙂
Just used your valuable info on deleting Norton and also found this reference to Symantec in my Registry:
-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
–SOFTWARE
—SYMDebug
And being curious I opened it and it has does have reference to Symantec, BUT… I did not delete this as I wanted to ask you about it first.
No techie here at all, but with GOOD instructions, I will bail off into the Registry 🙂
Thanks, Dave.
Regards~
Libby
I just bought a new computer which has a Norton 30 day trial. If I dont activate it am I safe to add Kasperesky? If not, I am all thumbs & CHICKEN! Dont want to destroy my new unit or go crazy. Should I try or have you tried the paid for removal tool at http://uninstallnorton.com for 07-08 Norton mentioned above? What do you think? Thanks for going where no man has gone before.
Thanks so much! It took a bit of doing to get the Live Update Notice (the new service that comes with Norton A/V 2007) out but it’s gone now.
Add/remove wouldn’t let me “remove it at this time.” Also, I had a symantec folder stuck in common folder that refused to be deleted.
I had to do your removal steps in a different order to get them out. I did the registry steps, rebooted, ran add/remove and windows couldn’t find the install info for LU Notice so it dumped it. The common folder symantec files deleted without a whimper. I then went back to the registry steps and redid them again.
And thanks, too, for the tip about Ccleaner. It cleaned out 750mb of files and fixed almost 500 registry errors.
What a nightmare. Couldn’t delete the programs from add/delete as the option was not available with the product, maybe because I downloaded it originally from the web site and not from disk. Used the uninstall norton from their website and irt uninstalled all, but wqhen it resterted, Blue screen of death, because the norton go-bakd which was just uninstalled we trying to open at boot. Finally after some time with the india rep. Was given a utility to boot to disable goback. After hours, I finally was able to get access to my PC and I quickly followed your directions to delete per your instructions. My Zone Alarm installation went off without a hitch.
God bless you
Okay, I had entered a long post and it seems the system ate it. So briefly recapping:
1) Dave, many thanks for maintaining this page. Enjoy your coffee treat! 🙂
2) The registry-clearing steps on this page (starting at step 8) are inadequate to find them all. They rely on manually browsing to specific points in the registry tree, however there are others. Instead, I suggest using an Edit -> Find approach, and after deleting an item, hitting F3 to Find Again for the next one, and etc., until they are all gone. Once the search is completed, run it again just to make sure none were accidentally skipped.
3) I had some problems encountering dead links for the Norton removal instructions and tools for products before 2003. Here is the current link:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/sunset-c2002kb.nsf/0/73bf2b6c4e168da785256edd00478da6?OpenDocument&seg=hm&lg=en&ct=us
Running Rnav2003.EXE, available there, finally let me get rid of “Norton Antivirus 2002” complaints from McAfee, so it would install. (Even though it was Norton Internet Security 2002 that I was uninstalling, the RnisUPG.EXE tool alone was inadequate to fix things, and I had to run this Rnav2003.EXE tool.)
Hope that helps,
KDJ
You should let people know CC Cleaner installs Yahoo Tool Bar without warning. Some people don’t want what is basically spyware on their computers.
How do you backup the registry?
On August 3rd, Patrick asked: “where you have to delete all entries that are anmed “Symantec”, do we also have to delete the filename with the prefix “Sym-” too. Im suspecting that it is part of Symantecs but I need an assurance if its eligible.”
I have the same question but didn’t find a response.
Everything else has worked great!
John
Has anyone tried to simply run the Norton Program Removal Tool?
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
Thought I would mention it.
~Coog
This was great for removing Norton, but I made the terrible error of deleting an incorrect entry from the Registry – one that belongs to System Restore! Is there any way I can get this back? I can’t go to a restore point as the entry I deleted has disabled System Restore – not good.
Dave can I use this to remove norton rescue disc? symantec .com removal tool is a waste of time. I want to install and Mcafee fire wall and can’t, Mcafee are no help at all!
Heys,
im asking about removing symantec antivirus but wen i go to control panel and remove it says fatal error during unistallation and i also tryed pressing change same problem??? Need Help
Hi,
First, I’d like to say thank you for all experience that you gave to us to remove Norton on the computer.
Second, I have a problem when I try to reinstall Norton 360.
I tried to install it, but finally, I failed. Then, I remove it and did everything that you told us to do. But when I reinstall, it automatically take the old cd key that I used to install Norton 360.
I used a keygen to install it on my computer. Then, each time, this keygen give a different registration code. So, if I want to reinstall it, I must use another code that it give to me.
How can I do to remove its old product key to type another in the box.
Beside, I also had another “little” problem. I can’t acces in the regedit. Windows tell me that regedit is disable by the computer administrator. How can I do to enable it!
I hope that you could understand what I wrote up there, because I’m a french, and I know that my english is really bad! 😛
Thank you so much!
Removing norton 06 when I go to program files,common and try to delete Symantec shared folder. Iget cannot delete symlcnet.dll: Access is denied.
What could be my problem
My norton is about to run out on its subscription and it is my intention to dump the silly thing, one question, do I download AVG first or after I uninstall norton?
At the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT step, windows won’t let me delete any symantec key, says error deleting key.
Hello Dave,
good stuff here. I managed to get rid of my NAV 2006, yippee.
I’ve got one question mark left though.In my registry, under HKEY CLASSES ROOT, there’s a SymReader.dia entry.
Is it ok to delete this as well?
Thanks !
Dave,
I’ve been struggling to uninstall NAV 2007 for the last day and a half – during what was supposed to be a vacation! I saw your instructions yesterday, but felt hesitant to touch the registry. After several more frustrating hours, I plan to try these instructions tomorrow a.m. while I’m fresh! I’m sure you’ll hear from me again, but God bless you for trying to help those less knowledgeable than you!
You’re a genius. Thanks much for this info.
Long story short, I had a messy install and uninstall of Symantec Client Security. I followed symantec support’s instructions on getting all the registry stuff off but on reinstall still had problems. Overall, I spent 8+ hours trying to find and fix the problem until finding the instructions on this page. In a couple of hours, everything was cleaned up, SCS was reinstalled and is now all working. Thank you, thank you, thank you and God Bless!!!!
Dave,
When I try to uninstall through add/remove programs I won’t let and I get a fatal error message. I tried the tool from symantic but it gets the same thing, I tried to delete through local disk program files and I won’t let me delete??
Dave,
These instructions look good, I’m going to try it. But something’s going to go wrong, it’s almost guaranteed. Aside from the above additional comments, what happens if you mess up the registry? You say to back up the registry but you don’t say why: is this so you can re-load it? Can this be done from Safe mode? Or are there too many permutations to answer this question?
Hi Steve,
(I used to be a gamer too!)
OK so you got the SystemWorks file off your PC using the Symantec uninstaller after following my instructions to you in my previous post of October 27, 2007 12:00 PM.
Correct?
Well, if so, that’s good. I was going to get you to go into Safe Mode as the next step.
As for your choice of AV, I’m glad you abandoned Norton. Kaspersky’s a good choice.
But the gamer’s antivirus is ESET’s NOD32.
Best,
David
Hi Dave,
Thx i followed your instructions to the letter when i rebooted i was still unable to delete the norton system works from the programs list but i was able to run the uninstall program from symantec(i hate the very sight of that word).
After that i ran ccleaner,all was great for about 10 mins untill i installed norton anti virus 2008 which had the effect of just clogging up my pc so bad that it would take 5 mins to open any program it was takin up 100% of my cpu usage it was crazy (an my pc is normally pretty quick i use it mainly for gaming so keep it pretty well loaded with ram etc) so now ive dumped norton an symantec where the belong in the bin and ive just downloaded kaspersky anti virus which i must say seems great so far.
Anyway just wanted to thank you for all your help and time on this matter it has been greatly appriciated all the best steve.
(right im off to start deleting viruses so you may hear from me again so sorry)
Hi Steve,
OK let’s get this out of memory.
Assuming in you’re in Windows XP
First back up your registry
1.Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
2 On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Create a restore point, and then click Next .
3.On the Create a Restore Point page, type a name for the restore point and then click Create
4.After the restore point has been created, click Close.
Now
1) Go to Start>>Run>>type regedit in the box>>click on the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key (It’s the second Key down)>>Click on Software>>Microsoft>>Windows>>Current Version>>Run>>Right click on Each Symantec or Norton key there and hit Delete.
b) Now go to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key under the key you just opened (HKEY_CURRENT_USER) follow the same instructions I just gave you for HKEY_CURRENT_USER except open up the Run- key and delete every Norton or Symantec key you see there too.
2) Go to Start>>Run>>type msconfig>> click on the Startup tab>> uncheck every box there>>then click on the Services tab>>check on the Hide All Microsoft Services box at the bottom of the window>> after you uncheck the Hide All Microsoft Services box, uncheck every box in the field above>>click OK and restart your PC as prompted.
After reboot, go in to Program Files and attempt to delete those SystemWorks folders.
Hi Dave,
1st no i dont have the systemworks cd to reinstall from.
2nd i ran the uninstaller after i had removed systemworks in add/remove programs cus thats what it said to do.
3rd it is at step 4 where my problem starts i am unable to delete any system works or norton ghost files from my c.programfiles folder i just get the message access denied every time i try. (Its like i have removed them from the add/remove programs list but there r still there somewhere cus i am being deneid access to them)
So my main issue is that at step 4 where i need to delete thefiles i cant???
as always ne help is most appriciated
thx steve.