Q&A Any tips to remove the malware called pre-installed McFee ?

[Lenny_Fox]

I have de-installed McFee which came with the new laptop of my girlfriend. All is gone except a folder in Program Files/Common. Any tips on how to delete these services (unable to remove them with autostarts or fileassassine

 

[Stopspying]

I'm not sure what you used to uninstall McAfee but it is often a good idea to use the AV vendor's uninstall tools, or read up on how to do it on their websites. I believe this is at least partially due to the fact that AVs go so deep into a system that other uninstallers don't always find everything. While the vendor should know where every last bit of their software is installed and which bits of it are the hardest to remove. I had issues with Norton leftovers on a device a couple of years ago and found that running their recommended uninstaller, even after the normal uninstall that came with the AV had left things behind, cleaned up the remnants afterwards, the same may work with McAfee.

Have you tried a re-boot?

I have not used any McAfee products for a very long time, it was possibly running Stinger to look for bugs that had got onto a device about 10 years ago. So I'm not the most knowledgable on their products and you've probably tried these solutions already as you know a lot of good IT-related things.

Edit - added this link - How to uninstall McAfee? [Completely] | Do you need McAfee?

 

[Digmor Crusher]

I use Iobit Unlocker to delete files that are hard to remove, works every time for me, so far. I install, use it, then uninstall it, no need for it to be installed on my computer permanently as I may only use it twice a year.

 

[EndangeredPootis]

Download and run the mcafee removal tool here https://download.mcafee.com/molbin/iss-loc/SupportTools/MCPR/MCPR.exe

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Personally, I would keep it as McAfee has improved a lot recently. If you really made up your mind, a clean install of Windows would give you peace of mind.

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

You can use Antivirus Removal Tool to scan for leftovers (and remove them manually) and it can be used to run the official McAfee uninstall tool:

Antivirus Removal Tool - The technician friendly tool to detect and completely remove antivirus software.

Hello everyone, I've released a new version of Antivirus Removal Tool, version 2020.06 (v.1). This program started to be a functionality of Windows Repair Toolbox but, as more features were added, I've made it an independent program. ###Added - Its own dedicated website: Antivirus Removal Tool...

malwaretips.com

 

[Lenny_Fox]

Thanks @EndangeredPootis that removed the files.

Thanks @Gandalf_The_Grey that removed the service startup entries in the registry (which pointed to data files deleted by MCPR tool).

All others thanks for you suggestions and input, great forum

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Additionally, you can use the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) to see if and if necessary clean leftover registered security programs in Windows Security Center, like mentioned by @SeriousHoax here:

Troubleshoot - How to clean all registered security programs in Windows defender center?

Hi there yesterday i tryed to install for testing forticlient and it prompt me some security software was installed on my pc. Is more time i dont use those programs, and i think some of them have "traces" on windows center and are still registered as av, firewall, etc. I tryed to use pc cleaners...

malwaretips.com

 

[Spawn]

Personally, I would keep it as McAfee has improved a lot recently. If you really made up your mind, a clean install of Windows would give you peace of mind.

Likely to be a free trial, unless OP bought it as a bundle, a clean install may break functionality of some laptop manufacturer-exclusive features.