How to Uninstall McAfee on Windows and Mac
McAfee comes pre-installed on many new Windows computers, and while it offers robust security features, not everyone wants to keep it. Maybe you’re switching to another antivirus, or just prefer the built-in Windows Defender. The catch? McAfee isn’t always easy to get rid of.
Table of Contents
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through how to uninstall McAfee from both Windows and macOS. Whether you’re using a desktop, laptop, or MacBook, this tutorial has you covered.
Quick Summary
- Windows users can uninstall McAfee via Control Panel or use the official McAfee Removal Tool (MCPR) for a deeper clean.
- Mac users can uninstall McAfee through Applications or the Terminal.
- Important: Before removing, make sure you have another antivirus lined up to stay protected.
Let’s break it down platform by platform.
How to Uninstall McAfee on Windows
You might have tried uninstalling McAfee only to find some components still hanging around. Here’s how to remove it completely.
Method 1: Uninstall via Control Panel
This method works for most users on Windows 10 and 11.
Step-by-Step:
- Open Control Panel
- Press Windows+R, type control, and hit Enter.
- Navigate to “Programs” > “Programs and Features”
- Find McAfee
- Look for entries like “McAfee LiveSafe” or “McAfee Security.”
- Right-click and Uninstall
- Right-click on the McAfee app and select Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen prompts and check all boxes to remove additional components.
- Restart Your PC
- Once done, restart your computer to finalize the process.
Tip: This may still leave behind leftover files or registry entries.
Read More: 113 Windows Run Commands you should know
Method 2: Use McAfee Removal Tool (MCPR)
When the Control Panel uninstall doesn’t clean everything, this is your go-to solution.
Download and Use MCPR:
- Go to McAfee’s official site
- Search for “McAfee MCPR Tool” or visit: https://www.mcafee.com/support/?articleId=TS101331
- Download the MCPR.exe file
- Run the tool
- Double-click the downloaded file and allow it to make changes.
- Follow instructions
- Agree to the license agreement and proceed.
- Enter the CAPTCHA if prompted.
- Restart your PC when done
MCPR removes:
- McAfee LiveSafe
- McAfee Total Protection
- McAfee WebAdvisor
Note: MCPR won’t remove McAfee from enterprise/managed setups. For those, contact your IT admin.
Method 3: Use Windows Settings (Windows 11)
If you’re on Windows 11, the newer “Settings” app offers a streamlined way.
How:
- Click Start > Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
- Scroll down and find McAfee
- Click the three dots (…) next to it > Choose Uninstall
- Confirm and restart
Still Not Uninstalling? Try These:
- Safe Mode Uninstall: Boot into Safe Mode and try again.
- Third-party Uninstaller Apps: Tools like Revo Uninstaller can forcefully remove stubborn files.
How to Uninstall McAfee on Mac
Yes, even on macOS, uninstalling antivirus software can be tricky. Here’s how to cleanly remove McAfee.
Method 1: Uninstall via Applications Folder
This is the basic method for casual users.
Steps:
- Open Finder > Applications
- Locate McAfee Endpoint Security or McAfee Internet Security
- Right-click > Move to Trash
- Empty Trash
- Restart your Mac
Note: This method may leave behind hidden files or system extensions.
Read More: 50 Apple Finder Keyboard Shortcuts
Method 2: Use the Official McAfee Uninstaller
McAfee provides an uninstall tool specifically for macOS.
Steps:
- Open Terminal
- Press Command + Space, type “Terminal,” and open it.
- Run the Uninstall Script
- Copy and paste: sudo /Library/McAfee/cma/uninstall.sh
- You’ll need to enter your admin password.
- Wait for the process to finish
- Restart your Mac
Note: Some older versions use /usr/local/McAfee/uninstall.sh. Adjust accordingly.
Method 3: Manual Uninstall (Advanced)
If the above doesn’t work, you can manually remove leftover files.
Delete These Folders:
- /Library/McAfee
- /Library/Application Support/McAfee
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.mcafee.*
- /Library/Preferences/com.mcafee.*
How:
- Open Finder > Go > Go to Folder…
- Type the path above and press Enter
- Move contents to Trash
- Empty Trash and restart
Use caution. Only delete folders with “McAfee” in their name.
How to Check If McAfee Is Completely Removed
Sometimes, traces remain. Here’s how to double-check.
For Windows:
- Search for “McAfee” in the Start Menu
- Check Task Manager > Startup tab for McAfee entries
- Open Program Files and Program Files (x86) folders
- Check C:\ProgramData for “McAfee”
For Mac:
- Spotlight search for “McAfee”
- Check System Preferences > Profiles for any security-related profiles
- Inspect Activity Monitor for McAfee processes
What to Do After Uninstalling McAfee
Once removed, you have a couple of important next steps:
1. Enable Windows Defender (Windows)
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection
- Make sure Real-time protection is turned ON
2. Install Another Antivirus (Optional)
Some good alternatives include:
- Free: Avast, AVG, Bitdefender Free
- Paid: Norton, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes
Final Thoughts
Uninstalling McAfee on both Windows and Mac isn’t as scary as it sounds it just takes a few careful steps. Whether you’re ditching it for performance reasons, switching antivirus software, or just prefer to rely on built-in tools, you now know exactly how to remove McAfee completely.
- Remember to restart after uninstalling
- Enable another antivirus
- Check for leftovers if something feels off
Done right, your system will be cleaner, faster, and still secure.
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