HowTo: Remove McAfee 90-day trial manually

Question

Machine: Inspiron 9400 w/Windows Media 2005 It goes without saying that you've tried to remove it using the uninstallation tool first, also in Safe Mode. In fact, I've only managed to uninstall McAfee adware in safemode. This only applies to an IE error I had (or whatever errors you have) that stopped me from running the uninstallation. I didn't want to manually edit the register either that McAfee suggest. This is a way to do it without all that. The uninstall program to the trial version resides in c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\shared\mcappins.exe and as you guessed, you can pass parameters to it, allowing you to remove McAfee in a few steps. Path and general parameters: c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\shared\mcappins.exe /v=3 /uninstall=1 /interact=1 /script_proactive=0 Individual parameters: Firewall: /appid=mpf /start=C:\PROGRA~\mcafee.com\agent\uninst\mpfrem.ui::uninstall.htm SecurityCenter: /appid=msc /start=C:\PROGRA~\mcafee.com\agent\uninst\screm.ui::uninstall.htm SpamKiller: /appid=MSK /start=C:\PROGRA~\mcafee.com\agent\uninst\mskremui.dll::uninstall.htm Uninstaller: /start=C:\PROGRA~\mcafee.com\agent\uninst\comrem.dll::uninstall.htm VirusScan: /appid=vso /start=C:\PROGRA~\mcafee.com\agent\uninst\vsoremui.dll::uninstall.htm For a full story and details see: http://www.sigg3.net/entry/990 Thanks!

ky331 · Answer

(I didn't click on your 'full story' link, so please excuse this if you've already tried it there, but...)   Did you try first opening the McAfee Security Center, disabling ALL the McAfee products [AV, firewall, spamkiller, etc] running there, and then, run the uninstaller from Add/Remove Programs??

sigg3.net · Answer

Yes. I've uninstalled McAfee trials without any hassle (in Safemode) on several other systems, so I was at a complete loss when this happened.. There was an error with the all-in-one uninstaller, but uninstalling one and one service (notably "Security System" at the end) using the mcappins.exe completely cleared the program eventually (lot of stuff to type + reboots). It's all in the full link:) When I had uninstalled every single + the full "Security system", the uninstaller was removed correctly.

Message Edited by sigg3.net on 02-12-2007 02:00 PM

Virus & Spyware

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