Uninstall Symantec Antivirus Client with Password
In certain cases you might be asked for a password when you try to uninstall Symantec Antivirus from your computer. Typically this will happen with an antivirus client that was installed as part of an enterprise version. The reason for this is that the client deployment was part of a managed client setup. Antivirus updates are released to the clients from a central server, so other than being installed at the user’s computer they are managed from the server.
As a result, you can not simply uninstall the antivirus client software from your PC, at least not without entering a password. Although the default password is “symantec”, chances are your system administrator changed the default to something else.
Apart from probably not getting updated antivirus definitions, you can also not install other antivirus software. Ideally you would ask the system administrator to remove the Symantec antivirus client software from your computer on the Symantec System Center, which is used on the server. But if this is not possible for whatever reason, you need an alternative.
How to Use the Registry to Deactivate the Symantec Uninstall Password
If uninstalling Symantec antivirus from the server is no longer possible, you need to deactivate the uninstall password. Follow the steps below to disable the password.
- From the Start menu, select Run.
- In the Run dialog box, type regedit and press Enter.
- In the Registry Editor, locate and open the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\INTEL\LANDesk\VirusProtect6\ CurrentVersion\Administrator Only\Security
- In this registry key, locate the entry called UseVPUninstallPassword.
- Right-click the entry and select Modify in the popup menu. Change the Value from 1 to 0.
- Close the Registry Editor.
Now you can try to uninstall the Symantec antivirus client from your computer. Simply by using the Control Panel’s Add or Remove Programs.
Good luck!
Thanks so much! I’ve had it on my computer for at least 4 years and I’m glad to finally get rid of it :3
very well explained………
good work……
iit was very easy for me to follow the path the site showed…….
keep it up!!!!!!!!
@Nachiket – If you do not have the registry key, most likely it is not a corporate edition of symantec antivirus. You can try one of the manual uninstall options that is available on their site:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ent-security.nsf/docid/2002031914291648
Hope it works.
Hi ; I could not locate the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\INTEL in my machien i have installed SEPMR4 and now want to uninstall it without entering pswd any idea?
Thanku so much sir, i tried that you have told. it is working well.really thanks
I have tried all the methods mentioned upon comments you have told one person to search function in registry i have typed function in searchbox and too many options appeared in the left box of registry window which one to choose
…..Thank You….
God Job Anthony…It worked for me and I m really thankfu
this is a good tutorial how to remove sysmantec corporate eddition you are the best.
thank you anthony
@Ashley – And the instructions did not work for you?
In case you can not find the UseVPUninstallPassword entry, simply use the Find function in the Registry Editor menu to search for it. In some cases it is located on a different registry key.
Anthony
Symantec was install when I was enrolled in college, at Radford University. I’ve since graduated and need to remove this program but it keeps asking for a password.
@im_bng – If you are asked for password during Symantec AV uninstall, there really should be a registry key with the name described in the article, even for version 10.
i m trying to find the following path. But, there is not any folder named “Intel” in software. I am having the corporate version 10.___
@Karthik – What does “it is not responding” mean in your statement? Please clarify the steps you took. Did you actually find the registry key on your computer? And change the value from 1 to 0?
Anthony
Dear sir,
I tried above method to uninstall the symantec anti virus client security from my computer.but it’s not responding and still i could not uninstall……kindly reply to solve the problem.