Uninstalled Norton

[Don Harvey]

I just uninstalled Norton on this new Vista Premium machine. I never liked
Norton and the computer seems to be more responsive, it was hesitating
sometimes when typing, etc.

Any suggestions for a replacement, I use AVG on my 3 XP machines but really
don't know what will work best on Vista.

One thing, after uninstall, Vista still reports that I have both Vista and
Norton firewall running. Thought I got uninstalled everything.

 

[matt]

I just uninstalled Norton on this new Vista Premium machine. I never
liked Norton and the computer seems to be more responsive, it was
hesitating sometimes when typing, etc.

Any suggestions for a replacement, I use AVG on my 3 XP machines but
really don't know what will work best on Vista.

One thing, after uninstall, Vista still reports that I have both Vista
and Norton firewall running. Thought I got uninstalled everything.

AVG runs quite nicely on Vista too.

 

[Guest]

You still have portions of the Norton program on your system. A new
antivirus program like AVG or Avast, that both work well with Vista, will
likely have difficulties with remnants of Norton being present. To get rid
of Norton on my system I had to get and use the Norton Removal Tool for my
specific Norton program from the Symantec website. Even then, McAfee would
not install because I still had parts of Norton on my system. I finally got
rid of all parts of Norton using Smarty Uninstaller and could then install
McAfee.

In order to install a new or different version of an application type, often
the existing application or program has to be completely uninstalled first.
The Windows Vista Uninstall program is less than optimum at doing this and
frequently leaves remnant files and folders or registry entries of the
uninstalled program on your computer. Some software companies provide an
uninstall tool on their support website (i.e. Adobe, Norton, McAfee) which
can help with this process, but often even these special uninstaller tools
leave remnants of the program on your computer that can block or degrade the
installation of the new program. You can further clean up your computer
manually as outlined in the following tutorial:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/87249-unable-install-latest-version-program-vista.html

I have since found and used a program called "Smarty Uninstaller" that does
an even better job of uninstalling programs, even tough ones like McAfee and
Norton. You scan your computer and the program identifies all the programs
on your computer, listing those that have their own uninstaller program and
those that are only remnants of a program. First you click for it to use the
program's uninstaller, and then when it’s finished, Smarty UI identifies any
program remnants and will then uninstall the remnants (from files and folders
to registry entries). Once the program you're interested in is completely
uninstalled, you can do a clean install of the new version without problems.
For Smarty UI see link below:

http://www.winnertweak.com/uninstaller/

 

[Kayman]

I just uninstalled Norton on this new Vista Premium machine. I never liked
Norton and the computer seems to be more responsive, it was hesitating
sometimes when typing, etc.

Any suggestions for a replacement, I use AVG on my 3 XP machines but really
don't know what will work best on Vista.

Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic - Free
http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
(Choose Custom Installation and under Resident
Protection, uncheck: Internet Mail and Outlook/Exchange.)
or
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/
or
ESET NOD32 Antivirus - Not Free
http://www.eset.com/
Have you seen these "extra settings for NOD32"?
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=37509
and
On-demand AV application (add it to your arsenal and use it as a "second
opinion" av scanner).
BitDefender10 Free Edition
http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-8-Free-Edition.html

One thing, after uninstall, Vista still reports that I have both Vista and
Norton firewall running. Thought I got uninstalled everything.

The retail version of Norton can play havoc with your pc. Uninstall it
using Norton's own uninstall tool
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
and get a refund
As suggested on the site, you may wish to print out the directions before
proceeding.

If this doesn't work use this:
Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Remove unwanted programs and traces easily
http://www.revouninstaller.com/
and/or
RegSeeker
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm
Then use NTREGOPT to compact the registry; Follow instructions.
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt

While Norton's removal tool usually gets the job done, you may also want to
go to:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html
and download a copy of winsockxpfix just in case. Rarely, the removal of
NIS breakes the networking components in XP to the point where internet
access is impossible. This little utility will fix it back up.

Good luck

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Don

You should be careful what you say about Norton. Some here are fearfully
protective of one of the worst sources of bad performance.

AVG or Avast run well on Vista machines.

 

[Don Harvey]

Thanks for the info and the links. Will give these a try.

 

[Don Harvey]

)) - It made a big difference in performance since I took it off. Now
looking to see what other stuff that came preloaded that I can get rid of.

 

[HeyBub]

I just uninstalled Norton on this new Vista Premium machine. I never
liked Norton and the computer seems to be more responsive, it was
hesitating sometimes when typing, etc.

Any suggestions for a replacement, I use AVG on my 3 XP machines but
really don't know what will work best on Vista.

One thing, after uninstall, Vista still reports that I have both
Vista and Norton firewall running. Thought I got uninstalled
everything.

Norton is the barnacle of the software world. After "uninstall" and the use
of Symantec's sooper-sekret removal tool, you'll probably have to scour the
registry for any remaining refrences to "Norton" or "Symantec." Then you'll
have to find all the crannies they've stashed stuff and delete those.

Good luck.

 

[osu9400]

Be sure to use this tool even after you remove via control panel.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039