Removing antivirus safely

[solardave]

Hi,

I'm new here. Last December I bought AVG for a year. I'd been using their free version.
I went to do a scan and found that it had downgraded me to the free version. I got on their chat and the tech told me my problem is I still have McAfee,Malwarebytes, and another anti spyware I can't remember what it is. He told me that was the conflict and that he could remove them for a mere $79. I'm retired on fixed income so I declined.

So my question is: is there a safe way a "technotard" like me can straighten this mess out? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Murf]

Sure can..

Since you posted in Windows 7 I will assume that you are using Windows 7...

OK:

You can remove programs doing the following:

1. Click on the Windows Icon (Start button) lower left of screen
2. In the right pane click on Control Panel
3. Under Programs click on the item Uninstall a program

Windows then lists all programs that were installed using Windows installer.

1. Select the program you want to uninstall by Clicking on it
2. Click at the top on Uninstall/Change
3. In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes.

Yes you should only have one Anti-Virus program running, as they can conflict with others. AVG is a good one for Windows 7.

You can keep Malwarebytes, just don't let it run in the background. It is a good program, just double click the icon to run a scan once in a while. To stop it from running in the background, thus conflicting with other programs;

Double click the Malware Icon, probably down in your taskbar, usually a blue icon maybe looks like a bat.

1. Open the Settings in the menu pane
2. Under "Protection" tab, scroll down and disable the switch labeled "Start Malwarebytes at Windows Startup"

[solardave]

Originally Posted by Murf

Sure can..

Since you posted in Windows 7 I will assume that you are using Windows 7...

OK:

You can remove programs doing the following:

1. Click on the Windows Icon (Start button) lower left of screen
2. In the right pane click on Control Panel
3. Under Programs click on the item Uninstall a program

Windows then lists all programs that were installed using Windows installer.

1. Select the program you want to uninstall by Clicking on it
2. Click at the top on Uninstall/Change
3. In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes.

Yes you should only have one Anti-Virus program running, as they can conflict with others. AVG is a good one for Windows 7.

You can keep Malwarebytes, just don't let it run in the background. It is a good program, just double click the icon to run a scan once in a while. To stop it from running in the background, thus conflicting with other programs;

Double click the Malware Icon, probably down in your taskbar, usually a blue icon maybe looks like a bat.

1. Open the Settings in the menu pane
2. Under "Protection" tab, scroll down and disable the switch labeled "Start Malwarebytes at Windows Startup"

Thanks for getting back to me. I did a lousy job of explaining from the beginning. I am running Windows 7 and periodically check my programs to uninstall ones I don't trust,use or need. The problem is McAfee or Malwarebytes do not come up. I know they"re there because the tech from AVG showed them to me but I didn't pay close enough attention to what he did.

[Murf]

If it isn't in Programs then it is not installed. You may have a folder called McAfee.

Removing McAfee from a PC

The same for Malwarebytes, it may not show up, so do a search:

1. Open the Start Menu and type a search term in the search filed at the bottom. I.e., Malwarebytes

2. Click the See More Results link, the search Results in indexed locations window

Also Malwarebytes has a removal tool:

https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-2674

[solardave]

Thanks for your help Murf.

[Digerati]

and that he could remove them for a mere $79.

So my question is: is there a safe way a "technotard" like me can straighten this mess out?

Yes. First, the technotard is that AVG tech, not you! The proof is you refusing to fall for their scam. You are a wise man!

They should have bent over backwards to make you a happy customer and helped you get their program running for free, instead of trying to scam you out of $79. You are a paying customer already and you were seeking help with their program.

If me, after that, I would have demanded a total refund (especially since they downgraded you to the free version), removed AVG and told everyone I know not to use AVG products! At the very least, when your subscription runs out, that would be my recommendation.

But you still need a good security solution so I would uninstall McAfee (if not already gone - it is a good security program but does have a history of hogging resources). I would keep or reinstall Malwarebytes, and install the free Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). MSE along with Malwarebytes for a double check makes a formidable defense against the bad guys. That is the setup I used on all my W7 systems until I migrated to W10 (which you should do soon, BTW). Then I went with Windows Defender (the sibling program of MSE) which is already integrated with W10. And because everyone should have a secondary scanner just for double checking - regardless their primary scanner of choice - I use and recommend Malwarebytes for that.

For the record, since I switched all my systems to MSE in 2009, then Windows Defender in 2015, none of my systems have ever been compromised by malware. And I know this by double checking with Malwarebytes.

[solardave]

I appreciate your help. The tech did set me back up with the paid version but that will be the last dime they get from me. I have "Windows essentials" showing up in my programs. Is that the same as MSE?

[Digerati]

Is that the same as MSE?

No. Microsoft Security Essentials is not included with Windows 7. It has be downloaded from Microsoft here.

[solardave]

Thanks.

[shand3]

you still need a good security solution so I would uninstall McAfee (if not already gone - it is a good security program but does have a history of hogging resources). I would keep or reinstall Malwarebytes, and install the free Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE).

[solardave]

I already uninstalled McAfee.Thanks but I'm gonna stick with AVG until my year is up in December. I'll kick them to the curb after that and install Microsoft Essentials.