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To uninstall a third-party antivirus in Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the antivirus, choose Uninstall, and follow the on-screen prompts. If removal fails or leaves the app partly installed, use Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance or the antivirus publisher’s current official instructions. Afterward, check Windows Security to make sure an active antivirus—such as Microsoft Defender—is protecting your PC.
Microsoft Defender is built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, so you do not need to buy another antivirus just to regain baseline Windows antivirus protection. Avoid running two real-time antivirus products at once; Microsoft says they can affect performance and may cause errors.
Before you uninstall
- Note the antivirus product name and your Windows version. Menu labels and troubleshooting options can vary between Windows releases.
- If this is a work- or school-managed PC, check with your IT administrator before changing security software. Organization policies can control Windows Security settings.
- If you suspect the app is malicious or the PC is infected, treat that as a malware problem—not just an uninstall. Microsoft recommends scanning with Windows Security before removing a suspicious app.
Uninstall the antivirus through Windows Settings
These direct steps are for Windows 11:
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the antivirus app. Search by its product name if needed.
- Select the app’s menu and choose Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, including any prompts from the publisher’s uninstaller.
- Restart if prompted. Then check Installed apps and Windows Security to see whether removal succeeded.
Do not assume that an app is completely removed just because its shortcut is gone. If it still appears installed or Windows Security shows confusing protection information, follow the troubleshooting steps below.
What if the antivirus will not uninstall?
Use Microsoft’s uninstall troubleshooter on Windows 10
For certain Windows 10 problems, Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter can help when a desktop program cannot be removed, or when uninstall information or registry data is incomplete or corrupted. Use Microsoft’s current support instructions to find the tool and choose the option for removing a program.
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Follow Windows 11 troubleshooting recommendations
If removal fails in Windows 11, follow any troubleshooting recommendations Windows displays. If those steps do not resolve the problem, contact the app publisher for instructions. Do not routinely edit the registry or manually delete antivirus drivers or services; those are not the standard removal steps in Microsoft’s guidance.
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Ask the publisher about incomplete removal
If the standard uninstaller finishes but the antivirus still appears partly installed, consult the publisher’s current official support page for that exact product. Microsoft advises using a security-program manufacturer’s cleanup tool or instructions when an app is only partly removed, but vendor tool names and downloads can change. Download a cleanup tool only from the publisher’s official site and follow its current instructions.
Check that antivirus protection is active
- Open Windows Security.
- Go to Virus & threat protection and inspect the protection status and listed provider.
- If you do not have another working security product, check that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is enabled and real-time protection is on.
- If Windows Security displays inconsistent or stale information, or its controls are unavailable, contact your organization’s IT administrator if the PC is managed. Otherwise, contact the relevant publisher rather than changing undocumented policies or registry settings.
Microsoft says Defender may turn on automatically when another security product is absent or expired, but verify protection instead of assuming the transition happened. Microsoft Support warns: “Your device will be vulnerable to malware if you disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus and don’t have another security product.”
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If you are uninstalling because of suspected malware
Uninstalling an antivirus does not remove an infection by itself. Microsoft recommends running a Windows Security scan before removing a suspicious app. For on-demand scanning, Microsoft also points to Microsoft Safety Scanner and Microsoft Defender Offline. Follow Microsoft’s current instructions for those tools and do not confuse a malware scanner with an antivirus uninstaller.
Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool targets prevalent malware and does not replace full-fledged antivirus protection. It is not a tool for uninstalling third-party antivirus software.
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FAQ
How do I completely uninstall antivirus software from Windows?
In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the antivirus, choose Uninstall, and follow the prompts. If the app remains partly installed, consult Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance and the publisher’s current official instructions.
What if my antivirus won’t uninstall?
For certain Windows 10 uninstall problems, try Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. In Windows 11, follow any troubleshooting recommendations Windows displays. If ordinary removal still fails, contact the app publisher for product-specific instructions.
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Why is antivirus still showing after I removed it?
The uninstall may be incomplete, or Windows Security may be showing stale or inconsistent information. Check Installed apps and Windows Security, then follow the publisher’s current official cleanup instructions. On a managed PC, ask your IT administrator for help.
How do I check Windows Defender after uninstalling antivirus?
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and check the provider and protection status. If you have no other working security product, make sure Microsoft Defender Antivirus and real-time protection are enabled.
Can I use two real-time antivirus products at once?
Microsoft advises against running multiple real-time security products because they can affect performance and may cause errors. On-demand scanners are different and can be used when requested or scheduled.
Do I need to buy another antivirus after uninstalling one?
No. Microsoft Defender is built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. Verify that it is active if you do not have another working security product.
Quick Recap
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