Windows 10: MSE wont uninstall

After roll back to 7, Uninstall MSE, Upgrade to 10 all is now all is well and Windows Defender is a happy bunny.

 

There is a much easier way to fix this. I followed this 'solved' thread with hope, but was disappointed with the solution above since I didn't want to roll-back to Windows 7. The details on how to do this easy method are here:
https://scottiestech.info/2016/04/30...ls-no-problem/

The MSE Setup program both installs and uninstalls the program. When running on Windows 10 it declares that you should not run it and does not go any further (see screen shot on first post). The solution is to change the Properties of the Setup program to run in Compatibility mode with Windows 7. It will then run fine and agree to uninstall MSE. After that, I strongly suggest you restart Windows without Updating (in case 'update and restart' is shown as an option, bypass it and just choose to 'restart' the machine). Then your problem will be fixed.

 

***SOLUTION***

I recently had a WIN10 Upgrade leave behind MSE and found this process worked for me.
The solution to this problem is quite simple:

• Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
• In the Open: field, type:
  • explorer “%PROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft Security Client\”
    and press ENTER.
• Highlight the file Setup.exe, right-click it, and choose Properties.
• Choose Compatibility.
• Click Change settings for all users.
• Check the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose Windows 7 from the drop-down box.
• Click OK on all dialogue boxes to exit all windows.
• In the search box at the bottom of the screen, type cmd. At the top of the pop-up window, underneath the heading Best match, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
• In the Command Prompt window that opens, type the following command:
  • “%PROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft Security Client\setup.exe” /x /disableoslimit
• Follow the instructions to uninstall.

~That’s it!
Craig Rogers

 

[sorry, didn't see that there was a page 2 before posting]

Mike,

Try the guidance provided in this
Uninstalling Microsoft Security Essentials From Windows 10 After An Upgrade
or this more general article
Uninstalling Microsoft Security Essentials
- the author of both articles [Stephen Boots] is a real wiz on MSE.

By the way, if you do decide to clean install Windows 10 instead [which would reduce the chances of other ugly problems rearing their heads later on], you do not need to reinstall Windows 7 first - as long as your current Windows 10 is activated, you just go online after reinstalling it and it will automatically reactivate. You do not put in any product key during the reinstallation as that disrupts the automatic reactivation process [you just skip the dialog asking for a product key].

Best of luck,
Denis

 

Thanks this worked flawlessly! Just recently updated to win 10 using the direct link to still get free upgrade on an old laptop and tried several things to delete MSE after it remained following the upgrade.