Winget offers the fastest way to uninstall McAfee on Windows 11, especially for power users or multi-PC setups using precise CLI commands.
MCPR is the go-to solution for stubborn removals, ensuring leftover files, services, and background components are fully cleaned.
Standard Settings removal may leave traces behind, so using Winget or MCPR ensures a cleaner, more complete uninstall.
Windows 11 is an incredible operating system, offering a wide range of features that set it apart from its peers. Its interface has satisfied users worldwide, ensuring security and stable performance. Although privacy and security are given great importance, breaches can still occur.
This is why users install protection software like McAfee to remove malicious applications and files and prevent a system hack.
Once this is achieved, individuals prefer to uninstall the software and cancel their subscriptions to free up device memory and avoid annoying pop-ups. This process can be troublesome and tedious, but several techniques allow troubleshooters to remove unwanted security apps.
Let’s take a look at how to remove McAfee from Windows 11 without leaving any residual information.
When you remove most apps, their files are deleted, but McAfee leaves cache and cookies in startup folders, registry areas, and program files that keep running in the background, hindering speed and security.
A full cleanup stops these problems and often makes your PC run faster for daily tasks. Before starting, make a backup in Settings>Update & Security, and ensure appropriate antivirus protection is enabled.
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Windows has everything built in to quickly run a McAfee cleanup and deletion. Click on the icon in the taskbar, search ‘Apps & features,’ and open the settings app. Look up McAfee to spot items like Total Protection and WebAdvisor.
Click the three dots for each app and choose Uninstall. Follow the easy prompts and skip subscription upsells. Restart immediately to apply changes and clear several cache installations smoothly, but check Task Manager later for any leftovers.
Winget comes preinstalled on Windows 11, so you can quickly remove apps from the command line. This is perfect for managing multiple PCs or avoiding clicks. Just right-click the Start button to open the administrator terminal, then type ‘winget list mcafee’ to find the exact names, like McAfee Total Protection.
After this step, ‘winget uninstall McAfee Total Protection --exact --force’ for everyone and add ‘--source winget’ if it is store-related. Confirm this step and reboot afterward. Then run the list command once more; nothing will remain, including background processes.
McAfee uses its free MCPR tool to locate and delete every cache file. This technique works well on factory-installed versions. To obtain this component, open McAfee's support page, download the ‘MCPR.exe’ file, close all programs, run it as an administrator, agree to the terms, and let the installer scan your drives before it creates the files to complete the process. Save the log it offers at the end if you want proof.
Also Read: How to Check and Update DirectX on Windows 11 Easily
After rebooting, go through your documents individually to make sure no traces remain, building confidence that your work is safe and secure. Use the table below as your guide, hitting each area fresh to spot any surprises early.
All of these methods ensure that your system is protected and free of residual information and pop-ups after McAfee is removed. From manual deletion to tool-based termination, each technique provides users with the knowledge needed to completely remove the application’s cache.
McAfee can be useful in several cybersecurity situations, but it occasionally interferes with Windows protection measures. Although each of these methods has its advantages, these techniques are highly installation- and situation-based. To ensure complete removal, users are advised to check all their files after uninstalling.
Winget is Windows 11’s built-in package manager. It allows precise command-line uninstallation of apps, including McAfee, which is useful when multiple PCs need cleanup or settings removal fails.
MCPR stands for McAfee Consumer Product Removal. It is a free tool from McAfee designed to completely remove all files, services, and registry entries left behind after a standard uninstall.
Using Winget removes the main program, but some background files or services may remain. For a full cleanup, run the MCPR tool after Winget uninstall.
Yes. After uninstalling via Settings, Winget, or MCPR, it’s recommended to restart your PC to ensure all files, services, and background tasks are fully cleared.
Yes, it’s safe, but ensure you have an alternative antivirus installed before removing McAfee to keep your system protected.