How do I go about removing Norton AntiVirus 2003?

Saussure · #1 May 3rd, 2008, 05:03 PM

I have got an ancient Norton product – NAV 2003 as a stand-alone product – on my four-year-old computer (Windows XP Home SP2 with the latest patches, IE7, Firefox 2). I would like to install NAV 2008 (I bought a boxed version). I have read that removing NAV 2003 can be quite a headache. I’ve found the following Norton products/components in the Add/Remove Programs in the control panel:

-LiveReg (Symantec Corporation)
-LiveUpdate 2.6 (Symantec Corporation)
-Norton AntiVirus 2003
-Norton WMI Update

I have no idea how to go about uninstalling the program and what I should remove first in the control panel, or whether I should use Norton’s uninstalling wizard (when I click on the Start Menu and go to Norton AntiVirus, it has the option “Norton Antivus 2003-Deinstallation”). Even after uninstalling, the program is said to leave traces, and I believe that there is a special uninstalling tool on Symantec’s website to clear up the “garbage”:

I would be very grateful if a Norton Guru guided me through uninstalling NAV 2003 and clearing the coast for NAV 2008. :-)

Note: my NAV software came preinstalled on my computer. I do not have any installation CDs. Also, what will happen to my Norton account online? Can I still use it, or do I have to create a new one? My subscription won't be over until December 2008...

dammit · #2 May 3rd, 2008, 05:07 PM

Hi buddy, go here and run the removal tool.

Saussure · #3 May 3rd, 2008, 05:09 PM

Do I run the removal tool after running Norton's deinstallation wizard? Do I also have to turn off AutoProtect beforehand?

dammit · #4 May 3rd, 2008, 05:14 PM

When I used it I just ran the tool and followed the prompts. I don't think you need do anything beforehand.

Saussure · #5 May 3rd, 2008, 10:15 PM

Thanks-I'll try running the wizard first and then running your recommended removal tool to get rid of the remaining traces. Thanks a lot for the link to the tool. I'll have to wait till the end of May to go ahead with kicking NAV 2003 off the system, though-computer is needed for non-stop exam preparation, and I can't risk mucking it up with a deinstallation gone awry. Sigh.