How to Uninstall McAfee on Windows 11 (3 Methods Including winget)

Key Takeaway To uninstall McAfee on Windows 11, navigate to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, locate McAfee, and select Uninstall. Alternatively, for a quicker command-line option, execute winget uninstall --id "McAfee.TotalProtection" in an elevated terminal. Following this, utilize McAfee’s official MCPR removal tool to eliminate any residual files, registry entries, and services. Upon removal, Windows Security (Defender) will automatically activate.

McAfee is a common fixture on many Windows 11 laptops, often preinstalled by manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS, who include a trial or subscription version in their factory images. If you find yourself wanting to uninstall McAfee—whether due to a preference for Windows Security (Defender), the choice of a different antivirus solution, or simply frustration with incessant renewal notifications—this guide will provide three effective methods to completely remove McAfee from Windows 11.

We will explore the standard graphical user interface (GUI) method through Settings, a swift command-line approach using Microsoft’s winget package manager, and a thorough cleanup using the official McAfee removal tool MCPR (McAfee Consumer Product Removal). Each method has been tested, and we will detail how to verify that no traces remain afterward.

⚠ Important — Don’t Leave Your PC Unprotected

Removing McAfee will leave your PC without third-party antivirus protection. Windows Security (Microsoft Defender) will automatically activate once McAfee is removed, but it is advisable to ensure you have a plan for ongoing protection before proceeding with the uninstallation. According to Microsoft’s security guidelines, Defender provides real-time threat protection right out of the box on Windows 11, so while you won’t be left entirely exposed, it’s prudent to verify that it’s active post-removal.

You Should Consider — Safety and Preparation

A few minutes of preparation can save you from future complications. All three uninstall methods outlined below require administrative privileges, and some may necessitate a mandatory restart. Before you begin:

1. Confirm you have administrator rights. All methods require admin privileges. If you are logged in as a standard user, you will need to switch or elevate your account. For the command-line method, right-click Terminal and select “Run as administrator.”
2. Create a system restore point. Open the Start menu, search for “Create a restore point,” select your system drive, and click Create. Label it something like “Before McAfee removal.” This provides a rollback option should anything go awry—a standard best practice before making significant software changes on any Windows system.
3. Save your work and close McAfee. Ensure all McAfee windows are shut down. Check the system tray (bottom-right corner); if the McAfee shield icon is present, right-click it and select Exit. Several methods will require a restart.
4. Note your exact McAfee product name. Different OEMs bundle different products: McAfee Total Protection, McAfee LiveSafe, McAfee AntiVirus Plus, McAfee Internet Security, among others. Knowing the exact name will assist you when using winget or searching in Settings. You can verify this under Settings → Apps → Installed apps.

Tip: On most OEM laptops, the preinstalled product typically appears as “McAfee LiveSafe” or “McAfee Total Protection.” If you encounter multiple McAfee entries (such as McAfee WebAdvisor or McAfee Security Scan Plus), you will need to remove each one separately.

Method 1 — Remove McAfee via Settings (GUI)

This method is the most user-friendly approach to removing McAfee on Windows 11 and is the most common way to uninstall applications from Windows 11. No command line is necessary—just a few clicks.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. In the left sidebar, click Apps, then select Installed apps.
3. Type McAfee in the search bar at the top. You will likely see one or several entries—common ones include McAfee, McAfee LiveSafe, McAfee Total Protection, McAfee WebAdvisor, and McAfee Security Scan Plus.
4. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to the McAfee product and select Uninstall.
5. A confirmation prompt will appear. Click Uninstall again.
6. The McAfee uninstaller wizard launches. Follow its on-screen prompts—when asked if you want to remove all McAfee components, select Yes to each.
7. Restart your PC when prompted. This step is essential—McAfee installs kernel-level drivers and services that can only be fully released during a reboot.
8. After restarting, revisit Settings → Apps → Installed apps and search for “McAfee” again. Repeat the process for any remaining McAfee entries (WebAdvisor, browser extensions, etc.).

For most users, this method suffices. However, it has a known limitation: the Windows uninstaller relies on McAfee’s own removal routines, which do not always capture every registry key, scheduled task, or leftover folder. According to McAfee’s own knowledge base article, they recommend running the MCPR tool after the standard uninstall for a complete removal. This brings us to our next two methods.

Method 2 — Uninstall McAfee Using winget CLI

If you are comfortable with a terminal—or simply prefer a faster, more precise method—using winget to uninstall McAfee is the optimal choice. winget (Windows Package Manager) is Microsoft’s built-in command-line tool for managing software installations, included by default in Windows 11 as part of the App Installer component. Comprehensive documentation is available on Microsoft’s official Winget documentation page.

The primary advantage of winget is its precision: you can see exactly which McAfee packages are registered on your system, target them individually by their unique package ID, and remove them without navigating through multiple GUI wizards. This method is particularly useful for eradicating preinstalled OEM bloatware across multiple devices.

Step 1: Open an Elevated Terminal

Right-click the Start button and choose Terminal (Admin). If you see “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)” instead, either will suffice. The admin elevation is crucial—without it, winget may lack permission to uninstall system-level software.

Step 2: List All McAfee Packages

Execute the following command to identify every McAfee-related package on your machine:

winget list --name McAfee

This command queries both the local install registry and the winget source catalog. You will see output similar to this (your specific product names and IDs may vary):

Name                          Id                            Version
----------------------------------------------------------------------
McAfee Total Protection       McAfee.TotalProtection        16.0.x
McAfee WebAdvisor             McAfee.WebAdvisor             8.1.x
McAfee LiveSafe               MCAFEE.MCAFEELS               1.0.x

The Id column is what you need. Copy the exact ID of the package you wish to remove—it is case-sensitive. As detailed in Microsoft’s winget list documentation, this command reveals all installed applications, including those not originally installed through winget—ideal for identifying OEM-preloaded McAfee.

Can’t Find McAfee in the List?

If winget list --name McAfee returns no results, the product may be registered under a different name or only recognized by its GUID. Try a broader search: winget list | findstr /i mcafee or winget list | findstr /i "livesafe". Some OEM installations utilize non-standard naming conventions.

Step 3: Uninstall the McAfee Package

With the exact ID in hand, execute the uninstall command. According to Microsoft’s Winget uninstall documentation, you can target a specific package by its ID as follows:

winget uninstall --id "McAfee.TotalProtection"

If you wish to explicitly specify the source (useful when multiple sources list the same package):

winget uninstall --id "McAfee.TotalProtection" --source winget

For OEM–preloaded installs that aren’t matched to the winget source, omit the --source flag. The tool triggers McAfee’s native uninstaller in the background. Approve the UAC prompt when it appears and await the confirmation message in the terminal.

Step 4: Remove Additional McAfee Components

McAfee rarely installs as a single package. Run winget list --name McAfee again and repeat the uninstall command for each remaining entry—WebAdvisor, browser extensions, security scan utilities. When the list returns empty, you’re in the clear.

Step 5: Restart Your PC

Reboot to finalize driver and service removal. You can execute this directly from the terminal:

shutdown /r /t 30 /c "Restarting to complete McAfee removal"

This command gives you 30 seconds to save any remaining work before the restart.

Even after utilizing the GUI or winget, remnants may linger. Leftover services, orphaned folders in C:Program FilesMcAfee, stale registry entries, and scheduled tasks that no longer serve a purpose are common. This is precisely what the McAfee removal tool MCPR (McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool) is designed to address—it is McAfee’s dedicated utility for scrubbing every last trace from your system.

McAfee develops and maintains MCPR specifically for the thorough removal of their consumer products. You can download the latest version directly from McAfee’s official support page.

When Should You Use MCPR?

Use MCPR after you’ve completed a standard uninstall (via Settings or winget). Think of it as a second pass—a cleanup sweep that captures whatever the primary uninstall may have missed. It’s also your best bet if the standard uninstaller fails, freezes, or throws an error mid-process.

You can also install MCPR through winget itself. The package ID is McAfee.MCPR:

winget install --id McAfee.MCPR -e

How to Run MCPR — Step by Step

1. Download MCPR.exe from McAfee’s support site and save it to your Desktop or Downloads folder.
2. Double-click MCPR.exe to launch it. It’s a portable tool—no installation required.
3. When the UAC prompt appears, click Yes.
4. On the McAfee Software Removal screen, click Next.
5. Accept the End User License Agreement and click Next.
6. Enter the CAPTCHA code displayed on screen for security validation. This code is case-sensitive—type it carefully, then click Next.

1. MCPR scans your system and removes remaining McAfee components—files, registry entries, and drivers. This process typically takes 2–5 minutes. Allow it to complete.
2. When you see “Cleanup Successful,” click Restart.

After the reboot, McAfee should be entirely removed. Windows Security (Defender) will automatically reactivate to assume real-time protection.

Verify McAfee Is Completely Removed — Checklist

Trust but verify. After employing any (or all) of the methods above, follow this checklist to ensure every trace of McAfee has been eliminated:

• Check installed apps: Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps and search for “McAfee.” Nothing should appear. Additionally, try winget list --name McAfee from a terminal—the list should return empty.
• Check running services: Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Scroll through and look for any service with “McAfee” in the name (common ones include: McAfee Application Installer, McAfee WebAdvisor, mcapexe, McAWFwk, mccspsvc). None should be present.
• Check Task Manager processes: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, navigate to the Processes and Startup apps tabs. No McAfee processes should be running or set to auto-start.
• Check leftover folders: Navigate to C:Program FilesMcAfee, C:Program Files (x86)McAfee, and C:ProgramDataMcAfee. If these folders exist and contain files, manually delete them (you may need to take ownership first).
• Check scheduled tasks: Open Task Scheduler (search for it in Start) and look under Task Scheduler Library for any McAfee entries. Delete any you find.
• Confirm Windows Security is active: Open Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security and verify that Virus & threat protection indicates Microsoft Defender Antivirus as your active provider.

If every item above checks out clean, you’ve successfully achieved a complete McAfee removal. Well done.

Troubleshooting Common McAfee Uninstall Failures

McAfee is often resistant to removal—it installs deep system-level hooks that can complicate standard uninstallation. Here are solutions for the most common issues:

The Uninstaller Hangs or Freezes

This issue typically arises when McAfee’s real-time scanning or firewall services lock files during removal. Boot into Safe Mode: hold Shift while clicking Restart, navigate to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart, then select Safe Mode. Run the uninstall or MCPR from Safe Mode, where fewer background services are loaded.

winget Doesn’t Find Any McAfee Packages

Some OEM installations register McAfee under a GUID rather than a readable name. Attempt broader searches like winget list | findstr /i mcafee or winget list | findstr /i "livesafe". If nothing appears, the product may only be removable through the GUI method or MCPR directly.

McAfee Services Keep Running After Uninstall

Open an admin Command Prompt and manually delete orphaned services using the sc delete command. Locate each service’s short name in Services (services.msc) by right-clicking and viewing Properties. Then execute: sc delete . Common McAfee service names include mcapexe, McAWFwk, and mccspsvc.

MCPR Runs Indefinitely Without Completing

This can occur due to Early Launch Anti-Malware (ELAM) protection blocking the tool from modifying boot-critical files. To resolve this, boot into Advanced Startup (Settings → System → Recovery → Restart now), navigate to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings, restart, and select “Disable early launch anti-malware protection.” Then run MCPR again.

“Access Denied” When Deleting Leftover Folders

First, take ownership of the folder: right-click the folder → Properties → Security → Advanced → Change (next to Owner). Enter your username, check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects,” and apply. You should then be able to delete the folder normally.

Alternative Antivirus Options After Removing McAfee

Once McAfee is uninstalled, it’s crucial to have protection in place. Here are three solid alternatives based on your needs—none of these are affiliate recommendations:

Antivirus	Cost	Best For	System Impact
Windows Security (Defender)	Free (built-in)	Most home users; zero-config protection	Minimal — integrated into the OS
Bitdefender Antivirus Free	Free	Users wanting a third-party layer with low overhead	Very light — one of the lightest available
Kaspersky Free	Free	Users seeking stronger web protection features	Light to moderate

Windows Security (Microsoft Defender) has seen significant improvements in recent years. It consistently receives high scores from independent testing labs like AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, and it automatically activates the moment McAfee is removed. For most home users, Defender is genuinely sufficient as a standalone solution.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free is an excellent choice if you prefer a dedicated third-party option without incurring costs. It boasts impressive malware detection rates and utilizes minimal system resources—ideal for older hardware or laptops where every bit of RAM counts.

Kaspersky Free (Kaspersky Security Cloud) rounds out the list with consistently high detection scores and additional web protection features. Availability may vary by region, so check their website for your country.

Whichever option you choose, the essential point is that something is actively protecting your machine. Avoid browsing or downloading anything on an unprotected PC, even temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing McAfee slow down my computer? No—removing McAfee typically improves performance. McAfee runs multiple background services and real-time scanning processes that consume CPU, RAM, and disk I/O. Many users report noticeably faster boot times and smoother operation after uninstalling. Windows Security (Defender) uses significantly fewer system resources.

Is winget already installed on Windows 11, or do I need to download it? winget comes pre-installed on Windows 11 as part of the App Installer package. You can confirm by opening any terminal and typing winget --version. If it’s somehow missing, install or update it from the Microsoft Store by searching for “App Installer.” According to Microsoft’s official documentation, winget is available on Windows 11, modern versions of Windows 10 (1809+), and Windows Server 2025.

Do I need to cancel my McAfee subscription separately after uninstalling? Yes. Uninstalling McAfee from your PC does not cancel your subscription. If you have an active paid plan, log into your account at home.mcafee.com and disable auto-renewal under account settings. Otherwise, you may continue to be charged at your next renewal date.

Can I reinstall McAfee later if I change my mind? Yes. If you have a valid license key, you can download and reinstall McAfee from the official website at any time. Neither the GUI uninstall nor the MCPR cleanup blocks future installations. Just ensure the previous installation was fully removed first to avoid conflicts.

I used the GUI uninstall—do I still need to run MCPR? While it’s not always mandatory, it is strongly recommended. The standard Windows uninstaller frequently leaves behind registry keys, scheduled tasks, and driver files. Running the McAfee removal tool (MCPR) after a GUI uninstall ensures a genuinely thorough removal. It’s free, takes about 2–5 minutes, and according to McAfee’s support documentation, it’s the recommended approach for complete cleanup.

Will Windows Defender turn on automatically after I remove McAfee? Yes. On Windows 11, Microsoft Defender Antivirus automatically activates when no other third-party antivirus is detected. After removing McAfee and restarting, you can verify this under Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection. Defender should show as your active provider within seconds of a reboot.