To remove McAfee from Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find each McAfee product, select the three-dot More button next to it, and choose Uninstall. If that fails or leaves pieces behind, use McAfee’s removal tool, described below.
Uninstall McAfee in Settings
- Select the Start menu, then Settings.
- Select Apps, then Installed apps. This list shows the applications Windows can manage from Settings.
- Scroll through the list and find McAfee. It might have several entries, such as McAfee Security Scan or McAfee LiveSafe; uninstall all of them to completely remove McAfee.
- Select the three-dot More button next to the McAfee product, then choose Uninstall.
- Confirm that you want to uninstall, and read and follow any on-screen prompts to finish.
Your PC might ask you to restart to complete the changes. Once you’ve restarted, McAfee no longer runs in the background.
Use the McAfee Removal Tool (MCPR) if Uninstall Fails
If McAfee will not uninstall, shows errors, or leaves pieces behind, McAfee’s own McAfee Consumer Product Removal (MCPR) tool cleans it up.
- Download MCPR from McAfee’s support website. Always get the latest copy, because older versions may not remove newer McAfee products.
- Run MCPR.exe and approve the User Account Control prompt.
- Select Next, accept the license agreement, and type the security code shown on screen (it is case-sensitive).
- Wait for the removal to finish. When you see Removal Complete, restart your PC.
If you see CleanUp Unsuccessful, restart and run MCPR again, or contact McAfee support.
Remove Every McAfee Component
McAfee often installs several separate apps. Check Settings > Apps > Installed apps for all of these and uninstall each one:
- McAfee Total Protection, LiveSafe, or McAfee+ (the main antivirus)
- McAfee WebAdvisor (also check your browser’s extensions list)
- McAfee Safe Connect VPN
- McAfee Security Scan Plus
After Removing McAfee
- Check that Microsoft Defender is on: open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and make sure Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the active provider with Real-time protection on. It normally turns on automatically after McAfee is removed.
- Cancel the subscription: uninstalling does not cancel a paid McAfee subscription or auto-renewal. Sign in to your McAfee account online to turn off auto-renewal.
- Stop it coming back: some PC makers reinstall trial software through their update utility. If McAfee reappears, uninstall it again and check the manufacturer app’s settings. If you only want fewer notifications rather than removal, you can stop McAfee pop-ups on Windows 11 instead.
Troubleshooting
Uninstall is greyed out or does nothing
Restart the PC and try again from Start > All apps, right-clicking McAfee and choosing Uninstall. If it still fails, use MCPR.
“Another installation is in progress”
Wait for Windows Update or other installers to finish, or restart, then try again.
Windows Security says no antivirus is active
Restart the PC. If Defender is still off, open Windows Security and turn on Real-time protection, then check for protection updates.
The PC is slow or McAfee notifications continue
A component such as WebAdvisor is still installed, or a scheduled task remains. Check the installed apps list and browser extensions, then run MCPR to remove leftovers.
On Windows 10, the menus differ slightly; follow the steps for uninstalling McAfee on Windows 10.
Tips for Removing McAfee from Windows 11
- Before removing McAfee, confirm that Windows Security/Microsoft Defender or another trusted security product will provide protection afterward.
- If normal removal fails, use McAfee’s official Consumer Product Removal tool rather than an unknown third-party uninstaller.
- Back up your computer before making any significant changes to avoid losing important data.
- After uninstalling McAfee, check for system updates to ensure your Windows 11 computer is running the latest security patches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just delete the McAfee folder?
Deleting the McAfee folder won’t uninstall the program. It’s best to follow the proper uninstallation process to ensure that all components of the software are removed.
Will uninstalling McAfee leave my computer unprotected?
Removing McAfee removes that product’s protection. On a normal Windows 11 PC, check Windows Security afterward to confirm Microsoft Defender Antivirus or another trusted security provider is active. Defender normally steps aside while another antivirus is installed, as explained in how to disable Windows Defender in Windows 11.
Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling McAfee?
Most of the time, you will need to restart your computer to complete the uninstallation process fully.
Can I reinstall McAfee after uninstalling it?
Yes, if you have the license or subscription, you can reinstall McAfee after uninstalling it.
Related: turning on Windows Defender in Windows 11, removing bloatware from Windows 11 and uninstalling PC App Store.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.