Hope this query is appropriate in this forum and that I'm posting in the right place (?)

Can anyone advise me as to how to completely remove Norton Anti-Virus 2005 from my laptop?
I use Windows XP Home Ed.
My Norton annual subscriiption is about to expire.
I want to install Avast (free version) instead. I've used Norton for years on this computer (it's the only antivirus software I've ever used on this laptop) and want to be absolutely certain that all traces of it are totally (and safely) removed before I proceed with installing any different AV software.
I'm not that tech savy - so a clear explanation would be greatly appreciated!
Incidentally - I should mention that I already have Revo Uninstaller on my system - (in case that might provide an additional way of ascertaining whether everything has been removed once I complete the process...?????)

Thanks in advance for any input.....

Hi 2bconfused!



Rather, this is not the proper place, but don't worry, someone from the forum team will take care of it.



Follow these instructions here I believe that the Norton Removal Tool will be able to do this job.



Very bad idea to use the uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller to uninstall security products (antivirus, antispyware, etc.). To uninstall the product for protection, the following two ways:

1. Use Windows built-in uninstaller
2. This option is not always possible, but most manufacturers of security software, have created their own uninstaller, which is recommended to use.

Hello Maniac

Thanks for your reply:


1. In which part of forum should I have posted my question?
2. Apparently the Norton Removal Tool does not totally remove all traces (lots will still remain, apparently, including Live update etc. - which can subsequently cause major conflicts and wreak havoc on your system if you then proceed to install a different AntiVirus program.
I believe that tho one should use the Norton Removal Tool - it must be supplemented by other steps. The question is: what are they?
3. Re: Revo Uninstaller - I think I didn't express my question well.
I didn't mean to imply that I wanted to use Revo for doing the uninstall. I meant to ask:
Once having done it - would Revo be good to use to check that all traces are gone prior to installing a new AV program?

Thanks again Maniac for your response - it helps me to clarify my initial question which I think I expressed badly in the first place - I can't blame you at all for misunderstanding

Greetings

This would've been the more appropriate place for such a topic, no big deal though .

As for removing Norton, running the normal uninstall through Add/Remove Programs (Programs and Features in Vista/7) and then rebooting and running SymNRT usually gets rid of everything without having to resort to other tools or manual removal of traces. I've verified this in the past many times using Autoruns, which would show any services and drivers still installed.

Hey Exile....
Thanks!
Sounds like it's far easier than I'd been led to believe. I have to do this later this week. And so - in the meantime - if anyone has any further advice before I go on to download and install Avast - please do share it.....I've read so many horror stories about conflicts when one has remnants of an old AV program conflicting with a 2nd one.

If you'd like you can check for yourself, just download and run Autoruns and look under the Drivers and Services tabs for anything related to Norton/Symantec . You can right click an entry and search it online if you're not sure about what it is.

Will do!!!
Hope it works out as "perfect" as it sounds (I'm doing it next weekend cause can't risk a computer conflict before then