McAfee has a habit of outstaying its welcome. It’s possible that it came preinstalled on your laptop, or maybe you took advantage of a free trial. Either way, it tends to linger in the background, firing off renewal warnings and system alerts long after you’ve decided you’re done with it.

Both Windows and MacOS offer built-in uninstall options, and if those don’t quite finish the job, McAfee’s own removal tool can clean up the leftovers. This guide walks you through how to completely remove McAfee.

How to uninstall McAfee the easy way

The quickest way to remove McAfee from your PC is through your system's built-in uninstall options. This method works for Windows 10 and Windows 11 and doesn't require any extra tools. (Want to uninstall McAfee on a Mac? We cover that below.)

Option 1: Use Windows settings

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Apps > Installed Apps (or Apps & Features, depending on your version).
3. Scroll down until you see McAfee Total Protection. Click the three dots next to it and click Uninstall.
4. Follow the prompts. If it gives you the option to remove all related files, go ahead and check those boxes.
5. Do the same for WebAdvisor by McAfee if it's listed.

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Option 2: Use the control panel

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Type appwiz.cpl and hit Enter.
3. In the list that pops up, find McAfee Total Protection and right-click it.
4. Choose Uninstall.
5. Check the boxes when given the option to remove all related files, then follow the steps provided by the Wizard.
6. Don't forget to remove WebAdvisor if it shows up.

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How to uninstall McAfee using the removal tool

Sometimes McAfee doesn't go down without a fight. If the usual uninstall method didn't remove it, or if there are leftover files, you can use McAfee's official removal tool, called MCPR. It's free, and it does a much better job of cleaning everything up.

1. Head over to McAfee's support page and download the latest version of the tool.
2. Find the downloaded file (usually in your Downloads folder), right-click it and choose Run as Administrator. If a warning pops up, click Yes to continue.
3. The tool will open and walk you through a couple of screens. Click Next, then Agree to accept the license terms.
4. You'll see a CAPTCHA screen asking you to type in a few letters or numbers. This is just to make sure you're running it on purpose. Type the characters in exactly as shown, then click Next.

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Now just sit back and let the tool run. It might take a few minutes. When it's done, you'll see a message that says Removal Complete. Click Restart to finish up.

How to remove McAfee from Mac

Removing McAfee on a Mac isn't too complicated, but like most antivirus apps, it tends to leave behind some extra junk. Here's how to fully get rid of it.

1. Open Finder and then go to your Applications folder.
2. Look for McAfee Total Protection Uninstaller. Double-click it to run the tool.
3. You'll be asked for your admin password, so enter it when prompted.

That should take care of the main app, but we're not done yet. McAfee often leaves a few files behind after the uninstall. To remove them manually:

1. In Finder, click Go > Go to Folder in the top menu
2. Enter each of the paths below, one at a time, and look for anything related to McAfee. Delete those files, but don't delete the folders themselves. (You can also use the search bar in each folder to quickly find any McAfee files.)

Once you've deleted everything, right-click the Trash in your dock and click Empty Trash to finish the job.

Is it bad to get rid of McAfee?

Not really. Many people uninstall McAfee, and in most cases, it's totally fine.

Some people find McAfee too resource-heavy. Some simply don't want to deal with the constant subscription pop-ups or renewal reminders. Others may prefer other antivirus software or want to just rely on their operating system's built-in protection.

If you're on Windows 10 or 11, you're already covered with Windows Security, which offers enough protection for most people. It runs quietly in the background, updates automatically and does a decent job without bothering you.

On a Mac, Apple has built-in protections like Gatekeeper, XProtect and regular MacOS security updates, which catch a lot of common threats. These aren't full-blown antivirus software, but for most people -- especially those who stick to trusted apps and websites -- it's enough.

So no, getting rid of McAfee isn't a bad thing, as long as you won't be completely unprotected. Make sure you've got something else in place -- there are plenty of solid antivirus alternatives worth considering.

Most importantly, be aware of what you're doing online. If you're worried about getting rid of McAfee entirely, onsider disabling the antivirus for a bit instead of completely removing it.

How did McAfee get on my computer?

McAfee usually comes preinstalled on new laptops, especially from brands like Dell, HP and Lenovo. It's part of a bundle deal between the PC makers and McAfee, and it's typically a trial version that starts bugging you to subscribe after a while.

In some cases, it might have been bundled with other software you installed. You know those "recommended" extras you sometimes click past during setup? That's how McAfee can sneak in.

What to do after uninstalling McAfee

Once McAfee is removed, it’s a good idea to make sure you still have some form of protection in place. As we mentioned, Windows and MacOS come with some great built-in security software. On Windows, Microsoft Defender provides a solid baseline security for most users. On Mac, you have built-in protections like Gatekeeper and XProtect to help block common threats, especially if you stick to trusted apps and websites.

If you prefer a dedicated antivirus, there are several good software programs to choose from. Norton Antivirus Plus comes with scam protection and a password manager, or you can go with Norton 360 Standard to get a VPN and dark web monitoring. However, we don’t recommend using most VPNs that come bundled with antivirus software, including Norton. Instead, we suggest sticking with a standalone VPN, or one of the best VPNs with antivirus. It also comes with performance optimization tools to help speed up your computer. Bitdefender is also a great antivirus software -- it’s really easy to use, and the company has received excellent security ratings in third-party tests. There’s also AVG, Malwarebytes and several others. These are the best antivirus software we’ve tested to help you decide what’s best for you.

Whichever option you choose, install it soon after uninstalling McAfee and run a full system scan. Also, keep your operating system and security software up to date and follow safe security practices. It goes a long way.