Computing and Network Services

State University of New York

Uninstalling Software

Generally, removing a program can be accomplished as follows:

1. Click on the "Start" button on your task bar.
    
2. Select "Settings" then "Control Panel" (or just "Control Panel" depending your version of Windows).
    
3. Double-click on the "Add/Remove Programs" Icon.
    
4. Look through the provided list and find the software you wish to remove.

Some programs, such as Norton Antivirus, contain multiple entries in your 'Add/Remove Programs' list. These may include: LiveUpdate, LiveAdvisor (with some versions), and Norton antivirus XXXX, where XXXX is a version. It is best if all of these components are removed before installing a new version of the software.

5. Highlight your old software by clicking on it once with the left mouse button.
    
6. Click on the "Add/Remove" or "Change/Remove" button (Depending on your version of Windows) and answer "Yes" or "Next" as prompted.

NOTE: If prompted for a password when removing the Campus version of Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition (recently replaced by Symantec AntiVirus), use the word 'symantec' (without quotes and in all lower case letters).
 

NOTE: If prompted whether you wish to delete any quarantined items (infected items) please choose "Yes."

7. Restart your computer when the removal is complete. This is usually a good practice even if the process does not specifically tell you to do it.