How to Uninstall Symantec Anti-Virus Without a Password

If you are trying to uninstall Symantec Antivirus from your laptop and encounter issues due to your university, UPES, not providing the uninstall password, you may find this guide helpful. This article will walk you through several methods to remove the antivirus without needing the password. Whether you are a student at UPES or another institution, this guide can assist you in safely removing the antivirus software.

Understanding Your Situation

Before proceeding with any steps, it is essential to clarify a few questions. Does the laptop belong to the UPES or is it your own personal device? And which password are they not providing you? Additionally, providing screenshots of any password prompt can be helpful for troubleshooting.

Safe Mode and Administrative Access

One of the easiest methods to uninstall Symantec Antivirus is to use safe mode. If you have administrative access to your laptop, you can initiate safe mode and then follow the steps to terminate all running processes related to the antivirus.

1. Restart your laptop and press F8 (or another key depending on your laptop) as it boots.2. Select Safe Mode from the Advanced Boot Options menu.3. Once in safe mode, open the Task Manager and stop all processes and services related to Symantec.

If these manual steps do not resolve the issue, you can delete the antivirus files and registry entries manually. Finding and deleting these files can be a bit challenging, but here are the steps:

1. Restart your computer normally.2. Open the Task Manager and stop all processes and services related to Symantec.3. Delete all files and registry entries related to Symantec. The paths to these files may vary, but you can typically find them in directories like C:Program FilesSymantec, C:Program Files (x86)Symantec, or the Windows Registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARESymantec.

Using Cleanup Utilities

There are several cleanup utility tools available that can automate the process of uninstalling Symantec Antivirus. Some popular options include:

CCleaner: This utility can help you remove Symantec files and clean up the registry. Download it from the official website and run the cleanup process. Third-party software: You can search for more software online that can forcefully remove Symantec from your system.

Manual Deletion Using Task Manager

If the above methods do not work, you can try manually deleting the Symantec files from the setup location. Here are the detailed steps:

Stop all processes and services related to Symantec using the Task Manager. Open File Explorer and navigate to the setup directory where Symantec is installed (typically C:Program FilesSymantec or C:Program Files (x86)Symantec). Manually delete all files related to Symantec, ensuring you do not delete any system files.

Bootable Ubuntu Pen Drive

If all else fails, you can create a bootable Ubuntu pen drive and boot into Ubuntu to manually delete the Symantec files. This method ensures that no files or processes can interfere with your operation.

Create a bootable Ubuntu pen drive using tools like Rufus or UNetbootin. Boot your laptop from the Ubuntu pen drive. In the Ubuntu installer, select Try Ubuntu without installing. Navigate to the Symantec installation directory (which may be in /mnt/c/Program Files/Symantec or /mnt/c/Program Files (x86)/Symantec) and delete all Symantec files.

Final Thoughts

The key takeaway is to assume that the laptop belongs to you and you have the necessary permissions to uninstall applications. Uninstalling powerful antivirus software like Symantec is not recommended if it is an institution-owned device. If you proceed, be cautious, as your system can become vulnerable to security threats. If you face any legal or ethical issues, it is best to consult with the institution or a security professional.

Remember that using a university-issued laptop for personal actions is generally not advisable, as it can compromise institutional security and put you at risk of legal or disciplinary action. Always practice good cybersecurity hygiene and keep your system secure.