Basic Query-- how to go from Norton to Defender


  1. Posts : 77
    W10
       #1

    Basic Query-- how to go from Norton to Defender


    Simple question. I use a W10 Ver 21H1 laptop. My A-V is Norton 360. I want to drop Norton and just use Windows Defender. My plan:

    1) Uninstall Norton via Control Panel.
    2) Run Norton Removal Tool to remove remnants left behind.

    Now my question: how do I activate the free built-in Windows Defender? Right now, it won’t let me turn it on because it says Norton is my AV. When I do 1,2 above will I be able to activate Defender?

    Mel
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 194
    Windows 10
       #2

    It should turn on by itself, if it doesn't just turn it on yourself. If you need help doing this let us know.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 23,014
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4239 (x64) [22H2]
       #3

    compiler7 said:
    Simple question. I use a W10 Ver 21H1 laptop. My A-V is Norton 360. I want to drop Norton and just use Windows Defender. My plan:

    1) Uninstall Norton via Control Panel.
    2) Run Norton Removal Tool to remove remnants left behind.

    Now my question: how do I activate the free built-in Windows Defender? Right now, it won’t let me turn it on because it says Norton is my AV. When I do 1,2 above will I be able to activate Defender?

    Mel


    For most AV products you need their removal tool, to "completely" uninstall them.

    For Norton, you definitely do...

    Download and run the Norton Remove and Reinstall tool for Windows
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    As Ghot says, it is essential to run the Norton Remove and Reinstall tool for Windows. Note that its default mode is to download and reinstall Norton. Select its Advanced Options to just perform the removal.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 77
    W10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Ghot:

    Can I use the removal tool AFTER I uninstall it via the Control Panel? (That's my intent)

    Mel
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 23,014
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4239 (x64) [22H2]
       #6

    compiler7 said:
    Ghot:

    Can I use the removal tool AFTER I uninstall it via the Control Panel? (That's my intent)

    Mel


    Rule of thumb: Always use an AV's removal tool, first and foremost.
    Antivirus programs have kernel hooks that regular uninstallers can't remove.

    If you've already uninstalled via control panel... you may have to re-install Norton, then use the removal tool.

    This way you won't have any conflicts between Norton and Windows Defender.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #7

    compiler7 said:
    Ghot:
    Can I use the removal tool AFTER I uninstall it via the Control Panel? (That's my intent)
    I have recently run the tool as a precaution on a machine that did not have Norton currently installed. Yes, I can confirm that it goes through attempting to uninstall all possible Norton software, whether or not they are present.

    In general, the removal tools from all the major AVs are designed to remove any remnants left over after a conventional uninstall.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 50
    Win 10 v. 20H2
       #8

    compiler7 said:
    Simple question. I use a W10 Ver 21H1 laptop. My A-V is Norton 360. I want to drop Norton and just use Windows Defender. My plan:

    1) Uninstall Norton via Control Panel.
    2) Run Norton Removal Tool to remove remnants left behind.

    Now my question: how do I activate the free built-in Windows Defender? Right now, it won’t let me turn it on because it says Norton is my AV. When I do 1,2 above will I be able to activate Defender?

    Mel
    Hi, Mel. If you've still not done it, you may not even need to uninstall Norton. That is, if you have a paid subscription/valid activation key/whatever. Sure, if it's an expiring trial you're not planning to buy you have no reason to keep it.
    I did this yesterday with Kaspersky, I assume they shall work the same way regarding this.
    1) Turn off automatic startup
    For most apps this is normally done in the task manager - Ctrl+Shift+Esc to invoke it, then go to the startup tab, look for a Norton entry and disable it. Kaspersky wasn't showing up there and I guess it's that way for all or most antivirus programs - startup can be disabled within it's own settings.
    2) Exit Norton.
    Then you may have to log out of windows and back in for the change to take full effect with Windows Defender.

    You can check if it is running it the windows settings - update and security - windows security - Virus & threat protection. There you can do a quick scan to check if it's working. Also in the right there's a 'manage providers' option which explicitly states what security software is currently active.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,079
    10 + Linux
       #9

    Turn ON the switch periodic scanning in the Security Center (virus & treat protection).. All switches should be on after 1 and 2. Norton creates this key, should be removed or at 0:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    D32: DisableAntiSpyware =1

    With the actual setup, are you getting Defender security intelligence updates from WU? If no, who installed Norton 360 on your machine?
    Last edited by MikeMecanic; 23 Sep 2021 at 10:10.
      My Computer


 

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