Windows 10: Mcafee reinstalls files after uninstall

No it was not my pop up blocker , when I clicked on it, all I saw was a yellow/red star ....nothing else. The other links on that page did work .....strange ...so I found another link that did work ...at least for me.

 

Now that is odd. Like I said, it's a strange software cosmos out there... *chuckle

 

Hi Jimbo,

McAfee is McAwful, and has pulled a major scam on the home pc people. I'm not sure why the computer companies deal with this guy/company. And I'm glad to hear that some thinks Windows Defender is enough. I've read that it's gotten better, and I think I'm going to stick with just that.

I'm not sure I'm ready to do a re-install just yet, but I will keep that in mind should I ever get to that point.

Thanks for your input.

Regards,
Patty

 

Patty you never told us if you finally removed McAfee successfully ??? Was wondering if using their removal tool worked for you??

 

Hi David,
Thank you for taking the time to help. The first thing I tried on my own was to use Revo Uninstaller which first uses the program's uninstaller, then searches for files leftover. It found a lot of leftover files, but some files reappeared. The time and date of their last modification indicates that this occurred after the uninstall.


I tried using Take Ownership, and it still doesn't work. I cannot get access to those files. This is unbelievable. There should be some legal action against this company for pretending to sell an antivirus product when your product behaves like a virus.

 

Are you logged in as the Administrator on your computer Patty??? This would be one reason why the command did not work for you.
Click on Control Panel , then click on User Accounts, and see if you are logged in as the Administrator.
The Take Ownership DOES WORK ....but the user HAS to be logged in as the Administrator in order for that to work.

 

Mike,

It appears that I am! But maybe I'm doing something wrong.

 

Yup you are logged in as Administrator. Hmmm ....did you try to use the MacAfee Removal tool that we gave you a link for??

I also use Revo Pro myself ....but for that AV program you should have used MacAfee OWN Removal tool 1st ...instead of Revo .
I would download that tool and see if it can remove it for you .....OR if you booted from a USB port after installing this program on your usb drive ....you could remove that 1 remaining folder ....
Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk

These are just giving you some more options Patty.

 

This of course assuming that your computer CAN boot from a bootable usb drive, some older computers can only boot from their DVD drive ...just so you know...
In that case you would burn that same program to your DVD disk ....Then boot from it.
Once booted on the Windows 10 Recovery Tools program, then use its file explorer go to your C drive on your computer, and then delete that folder .....that SHOULD Work ...as you are not logged into your main computer at all.

 

Thank you to all who tried to help! Here's how I got rid of the files:

OldMike65 (and davidhk) suggested I use McAfee's own removal tool. I didn't try that at first because I was thinking that McAfee is just corrupt and would probably try to use that to install more clandestine files. Ok, I let paranoia get the best of me. But after nothing else worked, I download McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool.

McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool Download

After I ran that, it said it has some leftover files. I didn't know what to do at that point, so I restarted the computer, and found the files. Finally, when I right clicked on the mcafee folder, and selected delete, the files were deleted.

In case other are having this problem, the trick for a computer novice is to know where the files are hiding. I found them on my computer as follows:

Right click on Start (the windows icon) > File Explorer > OS C: (Under Devices and Drives) > Program Files (not x86) > Common Files > mcafee

Just a note: Some users have found mcafee hidden in both program file folders, i.e., Program Files and Program Files (x86).

Thank you again to all who have helped!

Patty

 

GREAT Job Patty!!!!!! Congrats to you dear!!! Glad you solved your issue. *Thumbs*Thumbs

 

Mike,

I just want to thank you for all your help. I just posted the solution (written for others who may have this problem), and you were instrumental in the solution. I do so appreciate people like who offer their time to help ignorant strangers...or perhaps in my case, strange ignoramuses *Wink

Thanks again, and all the best to you!

Patty

 

We are all here to learn new things and help our fellow members Patty. WE enjoy learning and helping. I am glad you fixed your issue. Take Care Patty *Smile

 

On my laptop I had them in C drive Programs and Programs x86
I know they are a devil to remove

 

Thanks for letting me know, I'll include that in my solution in case someone is trying to solve the same problem. McAfee is definitely an insidious program!