.QUOTE
General removal instructions:
1. Uninstall the anti-virus(es) you have installed via add/remove programs in the control panel, then reboot after the uninstall is finished.
2. Next you delete the folder most likely left behind after the uninstall, use explorer to open "Program files" and delete the folder of your previous AV, if you get a "In use by other persons or programs" then try to use a program called Unlocker (free), simply rightclick on the folder and choose "Unlocker" for your options to appear. Very useful tool for difficult files/folders btw. You can also use "Search" in Windows to hunt down & delete any files/folders still there after an uninstall. Another thing you could do at this stage, is to run a tracks-eraser to remove files not used and just using HD space, one great free tool: CCleaner
3. Now would be a good time to use a registry cleaner, there are many different vendors, but the one which i find most thorough and safe is RegSupreme run it (use normal mode only, not aggressive), when finished scanning you rightclick and select "All", then you click "Fix" at the bottom, it will ask you if you wish to make a backup and you do, just to be safe.
EDIT: you can get regsupreme for a free 30-day trial with FULL features.
Most vendors make removal-tools for use after removal via add/remove programs to remove registry entries/folders, you can contact the support of the AV in question for a copy.
Removing Norton (even when it is already uninstalled via add/remove programs)
Norton remnants is often a source of problems when installing Kaspersky, these problems can vary from small and perhaps unnoticed by the user trying Kaspersky for the first time and therefore thinking that it is normal for Kaspersky to be a little heavy because this is what he/she reads on some forums, to very severe slowdowns prompting the user to perhaps either contact support or post here at the forum.
Well, the good news is that Norton make some very good removal-tools and if you follow the suggestions below, even if they may seem overkill to you, then a better experience with Kaspersky can almost be guaranteed and with better overall system performance to follow in most cases too!
The "bad" news is that you have to uinstall not only Norton AV, also SystemWorks, firewall and antispam if you use any of these (these can be installed again when everything is done, just not Norton AV of course!), however your patience and hardwork will be rewarded with a much better system performance.
If you had 2003-2007 installed you will need the Norton removal tool. You download the tool from here.
You are also encouraged to use a general registry cleaner like RegSupreme, this will find and remove a lot of things so don't be alarmed if the number of problems found after the scan is several hundreds, this normal, most of them is harmless, but there will also be some which is from old installations uninstalled long ago, just let it fix everything, it will ask if you want to backup and you want this, just in case. Download a fresh copy of Microsoft Windows Script (Vista/IE7.0 users should skip this step), Norton sometimes messes with this during an uninstall, so you may as well update this too.
1. Now you uninstall Norton via add/remove programs in the control panel, then reboot after the uninstall is finished.
2. Next you delete the folder most likely left behind after the uninstall, use explorer to open "Program files" and delete the folder of your previous AV, if you get a "In use by other persons or programs" then try to use a program called Unlocker (Free), simply rightclick on the folder and choose "Unlocker" for your options to appear. Very useful tool for difficult files/folders btw. You may find folders from programs you have deleted long ago, you might as well delete them while you are in there anyway. You can also use "Search" in Windows to hunt down & delete any files/folders still there after an uninstall
3. Now you run the Norton removal-tool.
4. Run RegSupreme (use normal mode only, not aggressive) and fix what it finds. (rightclick after scan is finished and select "All", then click "Fix" at the bottom or rightclick again & select "Fix")
5. Reinstall Microsoft Windows Script and reboot (Vista/IE7.0 users should skip this step). You're now finished and can install Kaspersky.
1. Uninstall the anti-virus(es) you have installed via add/remove programs in the control panel, then reboot after the uninstall is finished.
2. Next you delete the folder most likely left behind after the uninstall, use explorer to open "Program files" and delete the folder of your previous AV, if you get a "In use by other persons or programs" then try to use a program called Unlocker (free), simply rightclick on the folder and choose "Unlocker" for your options to appear. Very useful tool for difficult files/folders btw. You can also use "Search" in Windows to hunt down & delete any files/folders still there after an uninstall. Another thing you could do at this stage, is to run a tracks-eraser to remove files not used and just using HD space, one great free tool: CCleaner
3. Now would be a good time to use a registry cleaner, there are many different vendors, but the one which i find most thorough and safe is RegSupreme run it (use normal mode only, not aggressive), when finished scanning you rightclick and select "All", then you click "Fix" at the bottom, it will ask you if you wish to make a backup and you do, just to be safe.
EDIT: you can get regsupreme for a free 30-day trial with FULL features.
Most vendors make removal-tools for use after removal via add/remove programs to remove registry entries/folders, you can contact the support of the AV in question for a copy.
Removing Norton (even when it is already uninstalled via add/remove programs)
Norton remnants is often a source of problems when installing Kaspersky, these problems can vary from small and perhaps unnoticed by the user trying Kaspersky for the first time and therefore thinking that it is normal for Kaspersky to be a little heavy because this is what he/she reads on some forums, to very severe slowdowns prompting the user to perhaps either contact support or post here at the forum.
Well, the good news is that Norton make some very good removal-tools and if you follow the suggestions below, even if they may seem overkill to you, then a better experience with Kaspersky can almost be guaranteed and with better overall system performance to follow in most cases too!
The "bad" news is that you have to uinstall not only Norton AV, also SystemWorks, firewall and antispam if you use any of these (these can be installed again when everything is done, just not Norton AV of course!), however your patience and hardwork will be rewarded with a much better system performance.
If you had 2003-2007 installed you will need the Norton removal tool. You download the tool from here.
You are also encouraged to use a general registry cleaner like RegSupreme, this will find and remove a lot of things so don't be alarmed if the number of problems found after the scan is several hundreds, this normal, most of them is harmless, but there will also be some which is from old installations uninstalled long ago, just let it fix everything, it will ask if you want to backup and you want this, just in case. Download a fresh copy of Microsoft Windows Script (Vista/IE7.0 users should skip this step), Norton sometimes messes with this during an uninstall, so you may as well update this too.
1. Now you uninstall Norton via add/remove programs in the control panel, then reboot after the uninstall is finished.
2. Next you delete the folder most likely left behind after the uninstall, use explorer to open "Program files" and delete the folder of your previous AV, if you get a "In use by other persons or programs" then try to use a program called Unlocker (Free), simply rightclick on the folder and choose "Unlocker" for your options to appear. Very useful tool for difficult files/folders btw. You may find folders from programs you have deleted long ago, you might as well delete them while you are in there anyway. You can also use "Search" in Windows to hunt down & delete any files/folders still there after an uninstall
3. Now you run the Norton removal-tool.
4. Run RegSupreme (use normal mode only, not aggressive) and fix what it finds. (rightclick after scan is finished and select "All", then click "Fix" at the bottom or rightclick again & select "Fix")
5. Reinstall Microsoft Windows Script and reboot (Vista/IE7.0 users should skip this step). You're now finished and can install Kaspersky.
