McAfee comes preinstalled on many new Windows 11 laptops and desktops, especially from brands like Dell, HP, and Lenovo. While McAfee is a well-known antivirus program, not everyone wants to keep it. Some users prefer Windows Security (Microsoft Defender) or another antivirus solution.
But here’s the problem: Uninstalling McAfee from Windows 11 isn’t always straightforward. Even after removing it from Settings, leftover files, drivers, or registry entries can remain, causing performance issues or conflicts with other antivirus software.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to completely uninstall McAfee from Windows 11 — including its apps, services, and leftover files — so your PC runs clean and secure.
🔑 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)
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You can uninstall McAfee from Windows Settings → Apps & features.
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To remove leftovers, use the official McAfee Consumer Product Removal (MCPR) tool.
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Restart your computer after uninstalling to finish cleanup.
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Microsoft Defender will automatically activate once McAfee is gone.
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You can reinstall another antivirus of your choice afterward.
Why Uninstall McAfee from Windows 11?
Here are a few reasons people choose to remove McAfee:
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💻 Performance – McAfee can slow down startup and background performance.
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🔒 Preference – Many users prefer the built-in Windows Defender Antivirus.
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💰 Cost – After the free trial expires, McAfee requires a subscription.
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⚠️ Conflicts – Running two antivirus programs at once can cause issues.
Method 1: Uninstall McAfee Using Windows Settings
This is the most common way to remove McAfee.
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Go to Apps → Installed apps.
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Scroll down and locate McAfee LiveSafe or McAfee Total Protection.
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Click the three dots (…) and select Uninstall.
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Confirm the prompt and follow on-screen instructions.
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Repeat for any other McAfee-related programs (like McAfee WebAdvisor).
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Restart your PC.
⚠️ Note: This method may still leave behind McAfee drivers or services.
Method 2: Use Control Panel (Alternative)
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Press Win + S, type Control Panel, and open it.
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Select Programs → Programs and Features.
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Find McAfee in the list.
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Right-click and choose Uninstall/Change.
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Follow the wizard to complete removal.
Method 3: Completely Remove McAfee with MCPR Tool (Recommended)
The safest way to ensure a full removal is to use the McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool (MCPR).
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Download the MCPR tool from the official McAfee website.
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Double-click the downloaded file (MCPR.exe) to run it.
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Accept the license agreement.
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Enter the CAPTCHA verification.
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Wait while the tool scans and removes all McAfee components.
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When finished, restart your PC.
✅ After reboot, McAfee will be completely removed, including hidden files and services.
Method 4: Manually Clean Leftover Files and Registry Entries (Advanced)
If you still notice McAfee traces, you can manually delete them. ⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can harm your system. Proceed with caution.
Delete Leftover Folders
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Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
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Navigate to:
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C:\Program Files\McAfee -
C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee -
C:\ProgramData\McAfee
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Delete any remaining folders.
Clean Registry Entries
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to:
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\McAfee -
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
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Delete any keys related to McAfee.
Method 5: Use Third-Party Uninstaller Tools
If you don’t want to manually clean leftovers, you can use trusted third-party uninstallers like:
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Revo Uninstaller
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IObit Uninstaller
These tools scan for leftover files and registry entries after uninstalling.
What Happens After Uninstalling McAfee?
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Windows 11 will automatically enable Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
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Your PC will remain protected, but you can install another antivirus if preferred.
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You may notice faster boot times and fewer background processes.
Pros and Cons of Removing McAfee
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free up system resources | Lose McAfee-specific features like VPN, password manager |
| No subscription fees | Rely only on Windows Defender (unless installing another AV) |
| Fewer background apps | No third-party support team |
Troubleshooting
❓ McAfee still shows up after uninstall
➡ Run the MCPR tool to remove leftovers.
❓ Windows Defender didn’t turn on automatically
➡ Go to Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Turn on.
❓ I lost my McAfee subscription after uninstalling
➡ You can reinstall it anytime from the official McAfee account portal.
Conclusion
Removing McAfee from Windows 11 completely requires more than just uninstalling it from Settings. To ensure your PC is clean:
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Uninstall via Settings/Control Panel.
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Run the McAfee MCPR Tool for leftover cleanup.
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Optionally, delete remaining files and registry entries manually.
Once done, Windows Defender will activate automatically, keeping your PC protected without slowing it down.
By following this guide, you can fully free your Windows 11 system from McAfee and choose the security solution that works best for you.
FAQs
1. Is Windows Defender enough protection after uninstalling McAfee?
Yes. Windows Security in Windows 11 offers strong real-time protection for most users.
2. Can I reinstall McAfee after uninstalling it?
Yes. Log in to your McAfee account and download the installer again.
3. Do I need to restart after uninstalling McAfee?
Yes. A restart ensures all files and drivers are fully removed.
4. Why is McAfee hard to uninstall?
Because it installs multiple background services, drivers, and registry entries that don’t always get removed with standard uninstallation.
5. What’s the safest way to completely remove McAfee?
Using the official McAfee Consumer Product Removal (MCPR) tool.