How to Replace McAfee With AVG Free Antivirus

Surfing the internet or even just reading email without virus and malware protection is, quite simply, a bad idea. Many new systems come with McAfee Internet Security software packages preinstalled for a trial period. This software generally runs for a few months and then deactivates unless the user pays for additional service. One alternative to paying for malware protection is the AVG Free Anti-Virus package.

Instructions

1. Download the latest version of AVG Free Anti-Virus. Be certain to remember where it is stored. Ensure that you have administrative rights to the computer system to add and remove software.

2. Remove McAfee Internet Security. Click the "Start" button and select "Control Panel" from the menu list. From the Control Panel, activate the "Add/Remove Programs" option. You may have to wait a few minutes while the list of programs is populated.

3. Find the McAfee entry in the list of currently installed programs. Select it and click the "Change/Remove" button. The McAfee Internet Security (or Security Center) removal screen may ask you to select and verify components for removal. Select all components; then click the "Remove" (or "Continue") button.

4. Restart the computer when prompted by the software removal program. Do not access the Internet until AVG Free is active.

5. Install AVG Free by double-clicking the previously downloaded file and following the setup prompts. AVG may ask for a computer restart. Once the restart is complete, AVG Free is active in the system but needs to update.

6. Activate the AVG Free control panel by double-clicking the AVG icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen (near the clock.) Activate the "Update Now" option. AVG automatically updates. Continue updating the program and restarting the computer if prompted until receiving the message "No new update files are available."

Tips & Warnings

• Perform a full computer scan immediately after completing the update procedure. Install at least one other free malware removal program (e.g., MalWareBytes, AdAware SE or Spybot Search and Destroy) as a supplement to AVG Free.

• AVG Free is free software and offers no warranty or any guarantees of protection. AVG has antivirus packages for several operating systems; be certain to obtain the right one for your system.

References

• PC Hell: How to Uninstall McAfee

Resources

• AVG Free: Download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition for Windows 7, Vista and XP