Why you might want to remove McAfee
McAfee is antivirus software that comes pre-installed on many computers, especially those sold by Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Some versions are free trials that expire and then nag you to pay, while others are full paid subscriptions. If you want to stop using it — because you prefer a different antivirus program, because the trial expired, or because it's slowing your computer down — you have several options depending on whether you want to disable it temporarily or remove it completely.
The method you use depends on your operating system (Windows or Mac) and whether you want to turn it off for now or uninstall it entirely. Disabling it is faster and reversible; uninstalling it is permanent but frees up disk space.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, you can disable McAfee through Windows Defender settings or uninstall it through Control Panel or Settings, depending on your Windows version.
- On Mac, you can remove McAfee by dragging it to Trash from Applications, then using the McAfee removal tool if the app leaves behind files.
- Disabling McAfee temporarily is safer than uninstalling if you're not sure whether you want to keep it, because you can turn it back on.
- After removing McAfee, make sure Windows Defender or another antivirus is active so your computer still has protection.
- If McAfee won't uninstall, restart your computer in Safe Mode first, which prevents McAfee from running during the removal process.
How to disable McAfee on Windows without removing it
Disabling McAfee stops it from running without deleting the program. This is useful if you want to test whether it's causing slowdowns, or if you're not ready to commit to removing it.
On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings (press Windows key + I), then go to Privacy & Security on the left sidebar. Click Windows Security, then Virus & threat protection. Under "Virus & threat protection settings," click Manage settings. Toggle off Real-time protection. This turns off Windows Defender, which will allow McAfee to take over if it's installed. If you want McAfee off instead, look for McAfee in your system tray (bottom right corner of your screen) — right-click the McAfee icon and look for an option like Disable or Pause Protection.
If you don't see McAfee in the system tray, open the McAfee application itself and look for a settings or protection menu where you can toggle protection off. The exact menu name varies by McAfee version — it might say Real-Time Scanning, On-Access Scanning, or Protection Status.
How to uninstall McAfee on Windows
Uninstalling removes McAfee completely from your computer. On Windows 10, open Settings (Windows key + I), go to Apps, then Apps & Features. Scroll down to find McAfee (it might be listed as "McAfee Total Protection," "McAfee LiveSafe," or another McAfee product name). Click it, then click Uninstall. A window will pop up asking you to confirm — click Uninstall again. The removal process may take several minutes.
On Windows 11, the process is similar: open Settings, go to Apps on the left, then Installed apps. Find McAfee in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall. Confirm when prompted.
If you're on an older version of Windows (Windows 7 or 8), open Control Panel, click Programs, then Programs and Features. Find McAfee, click it, and click Uninstall.
After uninstall completes, restart your computer. When it boots back up, check that Windows Defender is active — open Settings, go to Privacy & Security, click Windows Security, then Virus & threat protection. Make sure Real-time protection is toggled on.
How to remove McAfee on Mac
On Mac, open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Look for the McAfee application (it might be called "McAfee Total Protection," "McAfee Internet Security," or similar). Click it once to select it, then press Command + Delete, or right-click and select Move to Trash. Empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the dock and selecting Empty Trash.
McAfee on Mac sometimes leaves behind files even after you move the app to Trash. To remove these completely, McAfee provides a removal tool. Visit the McAfee support website, search for "McAfee removal tool Mac," and download the tool. Run it and follow the prompts — it will scan for leftover McAfee files and delete them. After that, restart your Mac.
Check that your Mac's built-in antivirus, XProtect, is active. This runs automatically in the background on all modern Macs, so you don't need to turn it on manually.
What to do if McAfee won't uninstall
Sometimes McAfee resists uninstallation because the program is running in the background. The safest way to force removal is to restart your computer in Safe Mode, which prevents McAfee from starting up, then uninstall it while it's not running.
On Windows 10 or 11, hold Shift and click the power button in the Start menu, then select Restart. Your computer will boot into a troubleshooting screen. Click Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings, then Restart. When the computer restarts, you'll see a menu — press 4 or F4 to start in Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, follow the uninstall steps above.
On Mac, restart your computer and immediately hold Shift as it boots. Keep holding Shift until you see the login screen. Log in, then follow the removal steps above. After uninstalling, restart normally (without holding Shift).
Choosing a replacement antivirus if you need one
If you're removing McAfee because you want different protection, you have options. Windows Defender (built into Windows) and Defender for Mac (built into macOS) are free and sufficient for most users — they catch common threats and don't slow down your computer the way McAfee sometimes does. If you want a third-party antivirus, Bitdefender, Norton, and Kaspersky are widely used, though they typically cost money.
The key is to have something active before you remove McAfee. Don't uninstall McAfee and then leave your computer unprotected while you decide what to install next. Check that Windows Defender or Mac's built-in protection is on before you start the removal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing McAfee leave my computer unprotected?
No, as long as you make sure Windows Defender (on Windows) or XProtect (on Mac) is active before you uninstall. Both are built in and run automatically. Check that real-time protection is toggled on in your settings before you remove McAfee.
Can I disable McAfee without uninstalling it?
Yes. Right-click the McAfee icon in your system tray and look for a pause or disable option, or open the McAfee app itself and toggle off real-time protection. This stops it from running but keeps the program installed, so you can turn it back on later if you change your mind.
What if McAfee keeps coming back after I uninstall it?
This usually means McAfee files are still on your disk. On Windows, use the McAfee removal tool (available on McAfee's support website) to clean up leftover files. On Mac, download and run the McAfee removal tool for Mac. Restart your computer after running the tool.
Does uninstalling McAfee affect my other programs?
No. McAfee is a standalone program and removing it won't affect your other software. Your files, documents, and other applications will remain unchanged.
Why is my computer slow after I uninstall McAfee?
Sometimes McAfee leaves background processes running even after uninstall. Restart your computer fully — don't just log out and log back in. If slowness continues, use the McAfee removal tool to clean up any remaining files, then restart again.