❌ How to completely remove the annoying McAfee (Updated 2025)

McAfee is automatically installed on your new laptop or desktop . Does it drain the battery quickly, keep popping up, and even slow down performance? It's frustrating when you try to delete something and a message like "Deletion is restricted for security reasons" pops up.

Now let’s look at two ways to completely remove McAfee from Windows .

How to completely remove the annoying McAfee

🧩 Method 1. Delete default from Windows app settings

Let's try the most common method first.

✅ Deletion procedure (Windows 10/11 common)

1. Click the Start button → Settings (gear icon)
2. Apps > View list of installed apps
3. Select McAfee or McAfee LiveSafe, McAfee Security Scan from the list
4. Click the [Remove] button
5. “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your system?” → [Yes]
6. Run McAfee Removal Wizard → Select [Completely Remove] → Reboot after completion

🧼 Tip: You must also delete 'McAfee WebAdvisor', 'McAfee Safe Connect', etc. to completely remove them.

🛠 Method 2. Use McAfee's exclusive removal program (MCPR Tool)

If any service or file remnants remain even after general deletion , use the official McAfee removal tool (MCPR.exe) to completely remove it .

✅ Download & How to Use

1. Download the removal tool from the link below (as of May 20, 2025) (Note that McAfee frequently changes the page where you can download the mcpr.exe file. Be sure to check and download it~) (On the second additional... page, press Ctrl+F to  search for "Download the MCPR Tool" and download it~)
   👉 https://www.mcafee.com/support/s/article/000001616
   
   
2. Run the MCPR.exe file → Run with administrator rights
3. User consent (Agree) → Automatically proceed with the removal process
4. When complete, check the message 'Removal Complete'
5. Check after reboot

🧼 Tip: 🔐 Some security programs can interfere with MCPR execution, so it is recommended to temporarily disable other antivirus programs.

 

🧽 Things to do after deleting

item	explanation
🔄 Reboot	After deleting, you must restart to clear the system cache.
🔍 Check Task Manager	Check if any McAfee-related processes or services remain
💻 Install another antivirus	You can install Windows Defender or your preferred antivirus.

 

📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Even though I deleted it, the tray icon still remains!

A. Click on ‘Hidden icons’ on the right side of the taskbar → Right-click on the McAfee icon → ‘Exit’ and reboot.

Q. Deletion stops or fails midway.
A. Be sure to use the MCPR-specific deletion tool. Some services may remain with general deletion.

Q. Can I install another antivirus program after deleting it?
A. Yes, Windows Defender will be activated automatically, and you can install Avast, Bitdefender, ALYac, etc. if you want.
 

✅ Final Summary

method	Recommended situation
Delete default apps	If you uninstall immediately after initial installation
Using the MCPR tool	If complete deletion fails, use it to remove the debris