Tip #3510 - Norton Removal Tool
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Norton
Removal Tool
This week’s download is not the most exciting piece of software
you’ll ever see, but you may find it very useful, nonetheless. In
all my years as a tech, Symantec has dominated the PC security market
with their Norton line of antivirus software, among other security based
applications. The products are very good, which is the reason the company
has stayed on top for so long. There has however, been one problem that,
in my opinion, has plagued the company's software and that is the ability
to properly remove it from one’s PC.
I have seen it time
and time again. A piece of Norton software (usually the antivirus program)
simply does not uninstall. Sure, it will appear as though it uninstalls,
but the next time you reboot your computer, you get some error message,
because Norton cannot launch like it should. Well, of course it can’t
launch normally. Half of the components of the program have been removed
and the other half are looking for them. This situation has cost me plenty
of frustrating hours over numerous machines. It’s literally come
to the point where, if I have to uninstall a Norton product, I perform
the procedure like a neurosurgeon, methodically going over every process
in order for a smooth hassle free removal.
For me, I know what’s
going on and the program doesn’t throw me too many curve balls anymore,
but for your everyday user, this can seem like a routine uninstall until
the next reboot, which is where you notice the orphaned processes of an
uninstalled Norton. The bad thing is that if you choose to install another
Norton program or antivirus solution, you are going to have to remove
the old Norton in order to proceed. This can cause problems when the new
antivirus install still sees the Norton as being installed. This consequently
blocks you from installing your new antivirus software. This can take
a seemingly normal uninstall and make it an absolutely long, boring and
frustrating process.
Since everyone who
has owned a PC seems to have had the Norton antivirus program at some
point in their life of computer exposure, I thought the pick for the download
would be great. Now, after a long winded introduction, I will finally
reveal it. It's called the Norton Removal Tool and it can take all the
worrying out of removing your Norton products.
The Norton Removal
Tool is small, easy to use download. Just double click on the icon and
watch it take care of business. The Removal Tool can handle not only antivirus
software, but a slew of Symantec’s more popular programs as well,
including these:
- Norton AntiSpam
2004, 2005
- Norton Antivirus
2003 through 2007
- Norton Ghost 2003,
9.0 and 10.0
- Norton GoBack 3.1
through 4.2
- Norton Internet
Security 2003 through 2007
- Norton Password
Manager
- Norton Personal
Firewall 2003 through 2007
- Norton System Works
2003 through 2006
- Norton Confidential
Online 2007
There really is nothing
to it either. After it reboots your system, you should be ready to perform
the install of your new antivirus solution, without the error message
from Norton continually showing up.
So, if you have a
Norton product on your PC, this is the tool you'll want to use when it’s
time to remove it. It will give you no problems. It’s fast and most
importantly, it’s complete. The Norton Removal Tool can put the
age old Norton uninstall issue to bed, once and for all.
There are two versions
of the Removal Tool available. Choose the one that is right for your machine
and get started. You can find a complete set of instructions, as well
as, the downloads for both the Windows Vista/XP/2000 and the download
for ME/98 here.
~ Chad Stelnicki
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