Getting rid of Symantec programs

[Humpty Dumpty]

My very old laptop came with a lot of Symantec programs, but without the
installation disc.
I want to get rid of them (Norton AV, System Works).
Some Registry entries I cannot even delete. When trying, an error message
says that the value cannot be deleted.
When I want to use uninstallers like Absolute uninstaller, I am asked to
insert de installation CD, which I do not have.
Is there a way?
Lately, I deleted a lot of Norton entries from the Registry, but this
messing around led me to lose the Recycle bin (fortunately, a good soul in
this forum helped me to restore it using Kelly's Korner programs). I am
afraid I could do unrecoverable harm to the computer.
TIA
Humpty

 

[Daave]

My very old laptop came with a lot of Symantec programs, but without
the installation disc.
I want to get rid of them (Norton AV, System Works).
Some Registry entries I cannot even delete. When trying, an error
message says that the value cannot be deleted.
When I want to use uninstallers like Absolute uninstaller, I am asked
to insert de installation CD, which I do not have.
Is there a way?
Lately, I deleted a lot of Norton entries from the Registry, but this
messing around led me to lose the Recycle bin (fortunately, a good
soul in this forum helped me to restore it using Kelly's Korner
programs). I am afraid I could do unrecoverable harm to the computer.
TIA
Humpty

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

 

[HeyBub]

My very old laptop came with a lot of Symantec programs, but without
the installation disc.
I want to get rid of them (Norton AV, System Works).
Some Registry entries I cannot even delete. When trying, an error
message says that the value cannot be deleted.
When I want to use uninstallers like Absolute uninstaller, I am asked
to insert de installation CD, which I do not have.
Is there a way?
Lately, I deleted a lot of Norton entries from the Registry, but this
messing around led me to lose the Recycle bin (fortunately, a good
soul in this forum helped me to restore it using Kelly's Korner
programs). I am afraid I could do unrecoverable harm to the computer.
TIA
Humpty

Norton is the barnacle of the software world, harder to get rid of than your
live-in mother-in-law.

After using the Symantec removal tool, you should be able to scrub the
registry for Norton/Symantec instances. Then you can track down residual
folders and files.

That gets most of it.

 

[Kayman]

Norton is the barnacle of the software world, harder to get rid of than your
live-in mother-in-law.

After using the Symantec removal tool, you should be able to scrub the
registry for Norton/Symantec instances. Then you can track down residual
folders and files.

That gets most of it.

Agree, use RegSeeker
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm
RegSeeker will remove all associated detritus (registry keys,files and
folders) from any application. I found this application user friendly and
very effective but suggest *not* to use the 'Clean the Registry' option.
Click onto 'Find in registry' and in the 'Search for' box type *Norton*;
The pertinent registry keys can then be safely deleted (just in case,
ensure that the 'Backup before deletion' is checked). Repeat the task by
typing in the Search for' box *Symantec*. You can then go on search and
remove associated files as well.
Then use NTREGOPT to compact the registry; Follow instructions.
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt

Good luck

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Kayman wrote:

Agree, use RegSeeker
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

<snip>

Think your Registry needs "cleaning" or "repairing"? Read
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 and draw your own conclusions.

 

[Kayman]

Kayman wrote:

<snip>

Think your Registry needs "cleaning" or "repairing"? Read
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 and draw your own conclusions.

...."I found this application user friendly and very effective but suggest
*not* to use the 'Clean the Registry' option."...

 

[Lil' Dave]

My very old laptop came with a lot of Symantec programs, but without the
installation disc.
I want to get rid of them (Norton AV, System Works).
Some Registry entries I cannot even delete. When trying, an error message
says that the value cannot be deleted.
When I want to use uninstallers like Absolute uninstaller, I am asked to
insert de installation CD, which I do not have.
Is there a way?
Lately, I deleted a lot of Norton entries from the Registry, but this
messing around led me to lose the Recycle bin (fortunately, a good soul in
this forum helped me to restore it using Kelly's Korner programs). I am
afraid I could do unrecoverable harm to the computer.
TIA
Humpty

Other than all the not so obvious stuff the registry cleaners can't see,
there's also online updates to the software that occur from time to time.
This creates orphan registry entries as result of the newer stuff. Just NAV
itself has 3 program installations involved from the get-go.

For the cleanest removal, I would do a clean install of all on the laptop
from the software installation CD. Would be easier to clean. Don't go
online until you're done cleaning.

 

[Humpty Dumpty]

..."I found this application user friendly and very effective but suggest
*not* to use the 'Clean the Registry' option."...

Thank you all. I won't let any application to delete any entry without
seeing it myself. And yet...

Now I still have a question: How can I delete Registry entries which DO NOT
allow me to delete them?
i.e when trying to delete the value called "Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect
Service a message says: "unable to delete akk specified values". All these
entries refer to Norton Protection or something alike. I tried modifying the
Binary value, but this, too, is not possible.
All these values (a lot of them) are contained in Keys called NAVsomething.
I guess NAV goes for Norton AV, so the Keys should be deletable, too, but
they are not. It says: "cannot delete ..... Error while deleting key"
TIA
Humpty

 

[Daave]

Thank you all. I won't let any application to delete any entry without
seeing it myself. And yet...

Now I still have a question: How can I delete Registry entries which
DO NOT allow me to delete them?
i.e when trying to delete the value called "Norton AntiVirus Auto
Protect Service a message says: "unable to delete akk specified
values". All these entries refer to Norton Protection or something
alike. I tried modifying the Binary value, but this, too, is not
possible. All these values (a lot of them) are contained in Keys
called
NAVsomething. I guess NAV goes for Norton AV, so the Keys should be
deletable, too, but they are not. It says: "cannot delete ..... Error
while deleting key"

Once more...

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

 

[Daave]

There are certain registry entries which the Norton Removal tool won't
deal with. Norton used to save the subscription information in one of
the hidden Documents and Settings folders. About two or three years
ago it switched to storing it in protected registry entries with
rights that prevent the user from deleting them. The Norton removal
tool won't delete these because then you could renew your subcription
by twiddling the registry.

That's interesting, Howard.

But for people not interested in trying the trick you mention, the
Removal Tool should suffice in removing the rest. I would alter the
registry *only* if the Removal Tool didn't work (and that's never been
my experience, but I'm sure the possibility exists nonetheless).

 

[Humpty Dumpty]

On Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:54:05 -0700, PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:

Kayman wrote:
<snip>
Norton is the barnacle of the software world, harder to get rid
of than your live-in mother-in-law.

After using the Symantec removal tool, you should be able to
scrub the registry for Norton/Symantec instances. Then you can
track down residual
folders and files.

That gets most of it.

Agree, use RegSeeker
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm
<snip>

Think your Registry needs "cleaning" or "repairing"? Read
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 and draw your own
conclusions.

..."I found this application user friendly and very effective but
suggest *not* to use the 'Clean the Registry' option."...

Thank you all. I won't let any application to delete any entry without
seeing it myself. And yet...

Now I still have a question: How can I delete Registry entries which
DO NOT allow me to delete them?
i.e when trying to delete the value called "Norton AntiVirus Auto
Protect Service a message says: "unable to delete akk specified
values". All these entries refer to Norton Protection or something
alike. I tried modifying the Binary value, but this, too, is not
possible. All these values (a lot of them) are contained in Keys called
NAVsomething. I guess NAV goes for Norton AV, so the Keys should be
deletable, too, but they are not. It says: "cannot delete ..... Error
while deleting key"

Once more...

Download and run the Norton Removal Tool
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Thanks to all of you who cared to help.
First, I ran the Norton Removal Tool, twice (one for the 2003 version, and
then for the 2004/2005 version, because I didn't know which one I had).
Second, I looked with RegSeeker for Norton/Symantec instances and deleted
them (using the back-up option). There were a lot of leftovers.
Third, I compacted the Registry with NTREGOPT.
All of the above as advised by you all.

I'd ask you to comment on a further question on the same issue, if you care:
1) A lot of NAV entries are still left. I'm afraid to tamper anymore with
the Registry; or should I?

Humpty

 

[Daave]

I'd ask you to comment on a further question on the same issue, if
you care: 1) A lot of NAV entries are still left. I'm afraid to
tamper anymore with the Registry; or should I?

As long as those leftover registry entries are not causing any issues,
you don't need to worry about them; they are quite harmless. If you are
so concerned about a pristine registry, perform a clean install of XP.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

As long as those leftover registry entries are not causing any issues,
you don't need to worry about them; they are quite harmless.

Just in case Humpty wants a second opinion, I completely agree with
what Daave says above.

Tampering with the registry is an inherently risky process, and
there's no reason to take the risk.

 

[Humpty Dumpty]

Just in case Humpty wants a second opinion, I completely agree with
what Daave says above.

Tampering with the registry is an inherently risky process, and
there's no reason to take the risk.

Thank you both. I"ll follow your advice.
Nevertheless, I am happy of having got rid of all this Norton and Symantec
interferences that popped in all the time.
I used - as advised here - a good Registry editing program and a lot of
caution. A Registry backing before any changes also helped me.
Humpty

 

[mjs]

As long as those leftover registry entries are not causing any issues,
you don't need to worry about them; they are quite harmless. If you are
so concerned about a pristine registry, perform a clean install of XP.

What terrible advice. This is like telling someone he shouldn't bother with
showers or baths anymore because he'll never be as clean as he was when he
was first introduced to his mom by the hospital nurse at baby ward.

 

[Daave]

What terrible advice. This is like telling someone he shouldn't bother
with showers or baths anymore because he'll never be as clean as he
was when he was first introduced to his mom by the hospital nurse at
baby ward.

The point is there is no rational reason to be that concerned with a
registry that has orphaned entries. And if someone is so irrational
about it, they *might as well* perform a clean install, which is yet
another irrational action. Sheesh.

 

[mjs]

What a bleeping ridiculous post.

That's what I thought, too. Hence my reply to it.

 

[Bob I]

What terrible advice. This is like telling someone he shouldn't bother with
showers or baths anymore because he'll never be as clean as he was when he
was first introduced to his mom by the hospital nurse at baby ward.

Pretty obvious you aren't familiar with the registry, as your analogy is
not remotely applicable.

 

[Bill in Co.]

What terrible advice. This is like telling someone he shouldn't bother
with
showers or baths anymore because he'll never be as clean as he was when he
was first introduced to his mom by the hospital nurse at baby ward.

Nonsense.