For protecting our computers from security and malware threats we sometimes experiment with different security suites to see which one is better than the other. In this process, we install and uninstall these security suites as it is always advisable to use only one antivirus or a full featured security suite at a time in our system. More than one antivirus or a full featured security suite that includes everything from a firewall, antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-malware, and more can cause lots of performance and stability issues.

Although we can easily uninstall the existing security program using Windows built-in “Add/Remove Programs” (or Programs and Features in Windows Vista and 7) applet but it’s not a perfect solution. Sometimes the uninstaller of the program doesn’t remove all the components and registry keys installed by the security program completely, this can hamper with the newly installed security program and may even cause system instability and BSOD’s.

What should we do then? How can we uninstall the existing antivirus or security suite completely? Well, almost all the security suite vendors provides a special uninstaller tool which can remove the security suite completely from your system. We are here providing a list (not in any particular order) of these special uninstaller of all popular security suite or antivirus programs to save you time and energy in finding them yourself.

For most of these uninstaller, you just need to run the executable file and follow the onscreen instructions. Then after completion, restart your system to have a clean system again.

Kaspersky Removal Tool

Removal Tool for Kaspersky Lab Products

This removal tool can uninstall all versions of Kaspersky Antivirus and Internet Security, we have even posted a tutorial here before (How To Completely Remove Kaspersky Anti-Virus/Internet Security).

Norton Removal Tool

Norton Removal Tool Instructions

Norton Removal Tool Download Link

McAfee Removal Tool

McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool tutorial

MCPR.exe Download Link

Note: Please read the tutorial before using the tool.

Also, read how to fix improper or unsuccessful McAfee Product Installation with Free McAfee Virtual Technician if you want to just fix McAfee Products.

AVG Remover

Download Avg Remover

Here is the tutorial on how to remove AVG completely from the system. How To Completely Remove AVG Antivirus?

Avira AntiVir Removal Tool

Download Avira AntiVir RegistryCleaner

Avira RegistryCleaner removes all entries that were created by AntiVir. In this way, it prepares your system for the installation of a new AntiVir version. Use it after uninstalling Avira AntiVir using the uninstaller that came with it.

ESET Uninstaller

Manually uninstall ESET security product

Download ESET Uninstaller

Please read the instructions on the first link before using ESET Uninstaller.

Avast Uninstall Utility

Download Avast Uninstall Utility (See updated links below for more details)

Bitdefender Uninstall Tool

Download Link 1

Download Link for 64-bit version.

Some more of the uninstallers to completely get rid of the antivirus installation:

Avira Manual uninstall and Avira registry cleaner
Avast Uninstaller
AVG Uninstaller 32-bits
AVG Uninstaller 64-bits
Computer Associates Removal Tool
Dr. Web Removal Tool
F-Secure Removal Tool
IObit Removal Tool
Kaspersky Removal Tool (old version, see above for new version)
Microsoft OneCare Uninstaller
Microsoft Security Essentials Uninstaller
Norman Uninstaller
NOD32 Removal Tool
Panda (non-PCA) Removal Tool
QuickHeal Removal Tool
Sunbelt CounterSpy & Viper
ThreatFire Uninstaller
Trend Micro Uninstaller
Webroot Spysweeper Removal Tool
ZoneAlarm Removal Tool
Panda Cloud Uninstaller

[If these uninstall and removal utilities fail, there's a last resort tool which can also help get rid of all traces of previous installations of AV programs. It's called AppRemover and developed by Opswat. Download and run this tool if you are still having problems after trying the above tools:

Download AppRemover

If we missed any program, just tell us through the comments? If you know of any method to completely remove antivirus, share it too!

After uninstalling, if you are Windows 7 user, you may be interested to know which security suites are compatible with Windows 7. And also read How To Get 1 Year Free Professional Protection by Using Norton, CA, McAfee Security Suites Available Free for 90 Days.

AVG Antivirus by Grisoft AVG Technologies, is a very good antivirus program. However, there are times when you may want to uninstall. You may want to fix AVG by first completely uninstalling it and then reinstalling AVG again or when you want to try another antivirus suite. Also, this “how to” article will come handy when the normal uninstall procedure is not working for you.

Whatever be the reason for uninstalling AVG, below you will find both the normal procedure as well as the manual procedure for doing this:

Normal Uninstall

The first thing you should try, and, recommended, is uninstall AVG using the Add/Remove Programs (for Windows XP) or using Programs and Features (for Windows 7 and Vista) under Control Panel. Follow these instructions to carry out the task:

1. Click on the Start Button, select Control Panel.
2. Open Add/Remove Programs (for Windows XP users) or Open Programs and Features (for Windows 7 and Vista users).
3. Find AVG in the Programs list and highlight it.
4. Click on Remove or right-click and select Uninstall and follow the wizard to uninstall AVG.

Manual Uninstall (Complete Removal of AVG)

Grisoft, the maker of AVG, provides an uninstall utility specially made to remove AVG completely from the computer system. Follow the steps below:

Click on the following link and download AVG Remover to your desktop. Select the 32-bit if you are using the 32-bit version or download the 64-bit if you are using the 64-bit version.

http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities is the new page to download AVG Remover.

www.avg.com/us-en/download-tools now opens up AVG PC Tuneup page.

Double-click on the downloaded file to run it. Windows 7 or Vista users should run it in elevated command prompt. Click on Yes to continue removing AVG from your computer. It may need one or more restarts during the cleaning process.

Once the uninstall has completed, restart your computer. You can then go ahead and install another antivirus or install AVG again.

ZoneAlarm plans to announce, this Monday, that it will giveaway free licenses to its ZoneAlarm Pro firewall software on “Patch Tuesday,” or Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The free giveaway will be online for 24 hours, at ZoneAlarm’s Web site.

ZoneAlarm Pro includes the two-way firewall, download monitoring, anti-phishing protection, plus a couple of advanced features: OSFirewall, which looks for changes in the OS that might have been missed by an antivirus program, and credit monitoring with the three major credit bureaus. It costs $39.95 for one year license but you can get it absolutely free on October 13, 2009.

If you like this offer then save October 13 in your Calender as Zone Alarm Give away Day and Bookmark the following link:

[ Download ZoneAlarm Pro Free ]

Originally posted to AppScout.