Unmaintained End-of-Life announcement for Norton Power Eraser

[cruelsister]

End-of-Life announcement for Norton Power Eraser

 

[SeriousHoax]

NPE is still powered by Symantec's cloud, right? So probably that's why it has to come to an end.

 

[wayner.d]

NPE is still powered by Symantec's cloud, right? So probably that's why it has to come to an end.

Sad to see Norton Power Eraser reach end of life — it’s been a useful tool for many of us over the years. Thanks to everyone here sharing alternatives and tips. This kind of community wisdom really helps when a familiar tool is retired. Stay safe out there!

 

[Parkinsond]

I do not use on-demand scanners.

 

[SeriousHoax]

I do not use on-demand scanners.

NPE is extremely useful. It takes about 2 minutes to scan, and I can see if anything unexpected has been installed without my knowledge.
I use it once every 3-4 months if I remember but usually I forget.

 

[Parkinsond]

NPE is extremely useful. It takes about 2 minutes to scan, and I can see if anything unexpected has been installed without my knowledge.
I use it once every 3-4 months if I remember but usually I forget.

I do not believe on-demand scanner can detect missed malware by a good real-time protection AV.

Even for malware testing, I think to audit the detection of a full AV, you should use another one or more full AV.
I know it is more difficult to do so; on-demand scanner for testing is much more easier.

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

However, it doesn't hurt to run a second opinion scan every now and then.
I now use Hitman-Pro.

P.S.

Eset Online Scanner leaves “too many traces” on the PC for my liking.

 

[Parkinsond]

However, it doesn't hurt to run a second opinion scan every now and then.
I now use Hitman-Pro.

Waste of precious energy and contribution to global warming

 

[SeriousHoax]

I do not believe on-demand scanner can detect missed malware by a good real-time protection AV.

Even for malware testing, I think to audit the detection of a full AV, you should use another one or more full AV.
I know it is more difficult to do so; on-demand scanner for testing is much more easier.

NPE is not a typical second opinion scanner like Emsisoft Emergency Kit, ESET online scanner, etc. It's a reputation checker. It scans files and registry entries' reputation. Anything with low reputation is detected including bloated EXE files which was a quite popular way to bypass AVs cloud scanning.

 

[Sorrento]

As its going the way of a Dodo's I suspect discussion of using it somewhat pointless??

 

[Parkinsond]

It's a reputation checker

Reputation check is the one with most FP for MD and most other AVs, not the perfect method for auditing.
Beside, MD has a good reputation check with more rich telemetry; why should I look for a reputation check by engine with smaller user base and fewer telemetry?
When was using SEP, its download insight FPs were identical to those of SmartScreen.

 

[Parkinsond]

As its going the way of a Dodo's I suspect discussion of using it somewhat pointless??

What I mean, it will not be missed.

 

[Sorrento]

I'm using K at the moment & its giving me a clean bill of heath, occasionally I will run another AV for a day or two then likely image back, works for me

 

[SeriousHoax]

As its going the way of a Dodo's I suspect discussion of using it somewhat pointless??

That's true. It's the only one I would use now and then. I'll be back to using none.

 

[Sorrento]

I don't usually use scanners like this as its often an opportunity for these companies to add junk to my system & flog their wares I don't need ?? There are exceptions, maybe Emsisoft??

 

[SeriousHoax]

Reputation check is the one with most FP for MD and most other AVs, not the perfect method for auditing.
Beside, MD has a good reputation check with more rich telemetry; why should I look for a reputation check by engine with smaller user base and fewer telemetry?
When was using SEP, its download insight FPs were identical to those of SmartScreen.

It was exactly for auditing. A tool to check whether anything unnecessary is left behind that a typical AV might have missed. MD doesn't have a way to scan for file reputation only, and MD itself can be s**t sometimes.
But anyway, as it was said, the discussion is unnecessary since it's not going to be around anymore.
The best and in someways better alternative is Kaspersky Virus Removal Tools but that has to be downloaded every time to scan, so I won't use it unless I really suspect my system is infected.

 

[SeriousHoax]

I don't usually use scanners like this as its often an opportunity for these companies to add junk to my system & flog their wares I don't need ?? There are exceptions, maybe Emsisoft??

So you're comparing NPE to junk without ever even using it?

 

[Parkinsond]

I'm using K at the moment

K AV or the standalone scanner?

 

[Sorrento]

Just looked there are some plans to resurrect the Dodo so who knows?

'Bioengineering company Colossal is proposing to make a living replica of the species. They are attempting to use sequenced DNA from subfossil dodo bones to build a full genome. Using this as a guide, the team then hope to genetically modify the genome of the bird’s closest living relative – the Nicobar pigeon – to make it more similar to that of the dodo'

 

[devjitdutta2025]

Reputation check is the one with most FP for MD and most other AVs, not the perfect method for auditing.
Beside, MD has a good reputation check with more rich telemetry; why should I look for a reputation check by engine with smaller user base and fewer telemetry?
When was using SEP, its download insight FPs were identical to those of SmartScreen.

But you cannot run a system full scan with smart screen as with NPE. NPE was a very light and fast scanner. Although MD offline is there but it won’t be as light & fast as NPE