It is important to only have one antivirus program installed on a computer. Having more than one may seriously slow down the computer or cause Windows to become unstable, freeze or even refuse to start up at all.
Therefore you should always uninstall any existing antivirus program before you install another one. The usual method of uninstalling via Add/Remove Programs (XP) or Programs And Features (Vista and Windows 7) should work in most cases.
LAST UPDATED – APRIL 2013
However, sometimes the uninstallation process itself fails and you can’t uninstall the antivirus program completely. Most antivirus companies produce a special uninstaller program (removal tool) to forcibly remove their software – even if it no longer works or does not appear in the list of installed programs.
The following is an up to date list of common antivirus removal and uninstall programs – in most cases you just need to download the removal tool, run it and follow the instructions to completely remove the antivirus program.
List Of Antivirus Uninstall Programs / Removal Tools
Read the info page for any special instructions. If an uninstaller fails, it may need to be run from within Safe Mode.
avast! 6 – Info – Download – Note: must be run within Safe Mode
avast! 7 – Info - Download – Note: must be run within Safe Mode
avast! 8 – Info - Download – Note: must be run within Safe Mode
AVG 2012 (and earlier) – Info – Download 32bit or 64bit
AVG 2013 – Info – Download 32bit or 64bit
AVG Identity Protection – Info – Download
Avira – Info – Download - Note: cleans Windows registry only – after running this tool and restarting, reinstall Avira and you should then be able to uninstall it in the usual way
BullGuard – Info - Download – Note: zip file, extract (unzip) to run
CA (Computer Associates) – Info – Download per product: 2007 – 2008 – 2009 - IS 2010/Version 7 – Total Defense IS Version 8
Comodo – Info – Download – Note: this is a third party (Comodo user support forum) tool – it is not an official Comodo tool as they don’t provide one
ESET – Info – Download – Note: must be run within Safe Mode
F-Secure – Info - Download – Note: zip file, extract (unzip) to run
K7 Total Security – Info – Download
Malwarebytes – Info – Download
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) – see my article here
NOD32 – Use the ESET uninstaller (see ESET above)
Norman Security – Info – Download
Panda Security – Info – Download
Panda Cloud AV – Info – Download
SUPERantispyware – Info – Download 32bit or 64bit
Symantec - Use the Norton uninstaller (see Norton above)
Trend Micro – Info – See info page for download details
Trend Micro Titanium 2012 – Info – Download 32bit or 64bit – Note: zip file, extract (unzip) to run
Virgin Media Security (UK) – Info – Download – Note: may also need to run the second uninstaller here to remove VM Hub software afterwards
Webroot – Info – Download – Note: also need to run the second uninstaller here to remove the non-firewall parts of Webroot
Windows Live One Care – Info – Download – Note: Live One Care was eventually replaced by MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials)
Zone Alarm – Info – Download – Note: must run as administrator if using Vista/W7
If you have an antivirus program that is not covered above (or find a broken link) let me know in the comments and I will try to update.
Thanks for the list, will keep as a reference if needed
great list thanks! i usually spend ages trying to find some of these when i most need them
Been looking for an up to date list for english apps, thanks
Just check out AppRemover (http://www.appremover.com/)
It is a free utility that enables users to remove antivirus, antispyware and other security applications, as well as left over files remaining from incomplete uninstallations.
Really useful !
Pls i dnt knw if this anti virus exist but it was given 2 my sister as an assignment 4rm skul. pls what is the meaning of cpan anti virus
Never head of ‘cpan’ antivirus and a Google search reveals nothing so I doubt it exists – check back with your sister/school?
hello,
i m facing some typical problem. My avast antivirus date have expire and it not remove from control panel and Program file. what i do? Due to my Antivirus my system not working properly. so, plz give me some advise.
thank You!!!!!!!
Regards,
Deepu Singh
use Avast uninstaller tool to remove it – see links to avast 6 + 7 above. click on info for details