How to completely get rid of Norton rubbish?

Minority · 13 Apr 2006 at 12:13

I am just about to remove a pre-installed version of norton internet security from my laptop (when I get it). What's the best way to ensure it's GONE?

Registry cleaner?

AJUK · 13 Apr 2006 at 12:29

Unistall everything from Add/Remove programs, reboot and then delete all Norton related folders. Use a registry cleaner to hunt down that last remaining entries.

Minority · 13 Apr 2006 at 12:43

AJUK said:
Use a registry cleaner to hunt down that last remaining entries.

Any particular one?

AJUK · 13 Apr 2006 at 12:48

Minority said:
Any particular one?

There are loads, the best are probably CCleaner (free), TuneUp 2006, Registry Mechanic, WinASO, jv16 Powertools and Ace Utilities.

NathanE · 13 Apr 2006 at 13:00

Take off and nuke it from orbit (a.k.a. Format). It's the only way to be sure...

Minority · 13 Apr 2006 at 14:28

NathanE said:
Take off and nuke it from orbit (a.k.a. Format). It's the only way to be sure...

I won't be supplied with an original Windows CD, just recovery discs which put all the rubbish back on :rolleyes:

Mobius 1 · 13 Apr 2006 at 15:18

You could try Regseeker. I use it all the time to clean my registry and it hasnt knackered my pc yet, it also creates a back up of your registry every time you delete something.

Wilf · 13 Apr 2006 at 15:23

Download SymNRT from the Symantec site, it's their own tool for removing their pap software. If it's really old you'll need RNav.

hp7909 · 13 Apr 2006 at 15:31

Wilf said:
Download SymNRT from the Symantec site, it's their own tool for removing their pap software. If it's really old you'll need RNav.

Norton Removal Tool 1.20.4, very good used it on my PC after Norton Protect refused to 'let go' of some deleted files. Find it here

bringans · 13 Apr 2006 at 15:33

Yep was about to say, there own tool is very very good, I don't even use add/remove to get this off anymore, pop the tool on and run it, does all from 2004+, and also Rnav is pretty good for all older stuff.

masterk · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:52

We have had a couple of HP laptops in lately, because HP are in bed with Norton it was essentially a "Norton ******ised build" modified by HP which we couldnt remove. Had to format.

Dutch777 · 13 Apr 2006 at 19:32

Uninstall NIS
Uninstall Live Update
Delete C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security (if there)
Delete C:\Program Files\Symantec (if there)
Delete C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared
Start>Run and type %temp% and delete everything (unless it's being used)
Search for myprofile.userprofile and delete it (hidden/system file that keeps your subscription logged even after uninstalling)
Delete HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Symantec
Delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Symantec
Reboot

AJUK · 13 Apr 2006 at 21:19

Isn't it ironic that the only software that Symantec make that is any good is their removal tool.

madmaxx · 14 Apr 2006 at 02:20

AJUK said:
Isn't it ironic that the only software that Symantec make that is any good is their removal tool.

Matt-Page · 14 Apr 2006 at 08:12

NathanE said:
Take off and nuke it from orbit (a.k.a. Format). It's the only way to be sure...

The man doesn't lie. It is so true. Even Norton leaves traces of bits and peices all over. I doubt you will rid all of it unless you format.

NickK · 14 Apr 2006 at 10:38

Registry Mechanic is good - removes the left over entries from uninstalls nicely

Minority · 14 Apr 2006 at 16:32

Thanks for the tips, the Norton Removal Tool seemed to do a really good job

Bye bye Norton crap...

Craig321 · 14 Apr 2006 at 17:46

Minority said:
Any particular one?

Regseeker's good.

--Edit--

Oh, just noticed you got a removal tool. (Didn't read whole thread :eek:

)

HighlandeR · 14 Apr 2006 at 19:57

Been removing norton daily for like 2 years....

I agree a format is the best way....

And well I dont advise people goto purpleworld and buy the systems there since all the pcs sold there come with norton integrated.

You will not belive id say on average 20% of our PC related issues are caused by norton internet security, nortons removal tools are ok but even that SymNRT complains its out of date most of the time... and thats when ive download a new one straight off the net on a cd..

I feel guilty installing it on customers machines daily, and dont like it either but then were pushed to sell norton since we got a deal with them ie the more norton us purpleshirts sell the more money we get in our pay packet

In fact had a customer come back to me just 5hrs ago complaining of the healthcheck I just ran, I restored whole system and it was running mint like a fresh PC and all I did was install norton 2006.... she came back complaining its gone very slow today, I should sue symantec for doing there tech support !

Very very hard to teach/explain when a pc loads u gotta give it 1-2 minutes and wait for all icons in systray to load, but cant explain that its slowed right down even after

My advise create your recovery cds.... then afterwards add/remove and remove it all and then use acronis software to back up the C drive and that can be your new XP without norton.... then load a better AV package (not mcafee! or norton!) like Nod32/AVG/Avast....

Done or buy XP home oem 60quid and Nod32 done

HighlandeR · 14 Apr 2006 at 20:01

hp7909 said:
Norton Removal Tool 1.20.4, very good used it on my PC after Norton Protect refused to 'let go' of some deleted files. Find it here

Thats the same tool anyhow.....

its SymNRT same tool, its proberly symantecs best software ever created, but its a shame most of the time it complains thats its expired so it cannot even run, but when it does run it does the job nicely but id bet theres still norton in the system