Remove Norton using the built-in uninstaller

The fastest way to remove Norton is through Windows' own uninstall tool, which finds the program and removes it along with most of its files. Open the Start menu, type "Control Panel" and press Enter. Click "Programs," then "Programs and Features." Scroll down until you see Norton (it may say "Norton 360," "Norton Lifelock," or another Norton product name). Click it once to highlight it, then click the "Uninstall" button at the top.

A Norton window will appear asking you to confirm. Click "Remove" or "Uninstall" — the exact wording depends on your Norton version. The program will delete itself, which usually takes two to five minutes. When it finishes, you may see a prompt asking whether to restart your computer. Click "Yes" to restart, because Norton leaves behind some files that Windows can only remove after a restart.

After your computer restarts, open Programs and Features again and scroll through the list. If you still see any Norton entries, repeat the uninstall process for each one. Some versions install multiple components separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Use Windows Programs and Features to uninstall Norton, which removes the main program and most supporting files in one step.
  • Restart your computer after uninstalling, because Norton leaves some files that Windows can only delete after a restart.
  • Check Programs and Features again after restart, because some Norton versions install multiple components that need separate removal.
  • If Norton's uninstaller fails or freezes, read Norton's removal tool from their website and run it in Safe Mode.
  • After complete removal, your computer will have no antivirus protection until you install a replacement.

Use Norton's official removal tool if the standard uninstaller fails

Sometimes Norton's uninstaller gets stuck or won't start. When that happens, Norton provides a dedicated removal tool that works differently and can succeed where the standard uninstaller fails. Go to Norton's support website, search for "Norton Removal Tool," and read the file called "NortonLifeLock Removal Tool" (the exact name varies slightly by Norton version, but it will say "removal tool" in the name).

Before running the tool, restart your computer in Safe Mode. This prevents Norton from protecting itself while you try to remove it. Restart your computer, and as it starts up, press F8 repeatedly (on some newer computers, press and hold Shift while clicking Restart from the Windows Start menu, then choose "Troubleshoot" and "Advanced Options" and "Startup Settings"). Choose "Safe Mode" from the menu that appears.

Once in Safe Mode, double-click the Norton Removal Tool you downloaded. It will scan your system, find all Norton files, and remove them. This process takes longer than the standard uninstaller — usually ten to twenty minutes. When it finishes, restart your computer normally. After restart, open Programs and Features one more time to confirm no Norton entries remain.

Delete leftover Norton files manually if traces remain

Even after using both the standard uninstaller and Norton's removal tool, a few Norton folders sometimes remain on your hard drive. These don't affect your computer's performance, but if you want to remove them completely, you can delete them manually. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files (or C:\Program Files (x86) on a 64-bit computer). Look for any folder with "Norton" in the name. Right-click it and select "Delete."

Next, check your user folder for Norton data. Navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local (you may need to show hidden files first — in File Explorer, click "View" at the top, then check "Hidden items"). Look for folders named "Norton," "NortonLifeLock," or similar. Delete these as well.

Finally, check your Startup folder to make sure Norton isn't set to run when Windows starts. Press Windows key + R, type "shell:startup" and press Enter. If you see any Norton shortcuts here, right-click and delete them. Restart your computer to confirm everything is gone.

Disable Norton before uninstalling if it's blocking the uninstaller

Occasionally Norton's security features prevent you from uninstalling it — the uninstall button won't click, or the uninstaller closes when ready after starting. When this happens, you need to disable Norton's protection first. Open Norton by clicking its icon in the system tray (the small icons on the far right of your taskbar). Look for a button or menu option that says "Turn Off" or "Disable Protection." Click it and select a time period — usually "Until I restart my computer" is the safest choice.

Once Norton is disabled, try the standard uninstall process again through Programs and Features. With protection turned off, the uninstaller should run without interference. After it finishes and you restart, Norton will not turn itself back on because you uninstalled it.

Install antivirus protection before connecting to the internet

After removing Norton, your computer has no antivirus protection. This is safe for a short time if you're not connected to the internet, but you should install a replacement antivirus program before going online. Windows comes with built-in antivirus called Windows Defender (or Windows Security), which turns on automatically once Norton is gone. You can see it working by opening Windows Security — press Windows key, type "Windows Security," and press Enter.

If you want a different antivirus program, read and install it while Windows Defender is still active. Windows Defender will turn itself off automatically once you install a competing antivirus, so you don't need to disable it manually. Popular free alternatives include Avast, AVG, and Bitdefender, though many people find Windows Defender sufficient for everyday use.

Check for Norton browser extensions and remove them separately

Norton often installs extensions in your web browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) that don't always uninstall when you remove the main Norton program. These extensions are harmless but may slow your browser slightly. To remove them, open your browser and look for Norton extensions in the extensions menu. In Chrome, click the three dots at the top right, select "More Tools," then "Extensions." Look for anything with "Norton" in the name, click the trash icon next to it, and confirm removal.

In Microsoft Edge, click the three dots at the top right, select "Extensions," find Norton extensions, click the three dots next to each one, and select "Remove." In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) at the top right, select "Add-ons and Extensions," find Norton extensions, and click "Remove." After removing extensions, close and reopen your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my computer be unprotected after I uninstall Norton?

Yes, temporarily. Windows Defender (built into Windows) will turn on automatically once Norton is completely removed, so you will have protection again within a few minutes. You do not need to do anything — just restart your computer after uninstalling Norton and Windows Defender will set up on its own.

What if the uninstaller says Norton is running and won't close?

Close Norton completely before trying to uninstall. Right-click the Norton icon in your system tray (bottom right of your screen) and select "Exit" or "Quit." If you don't see an exit option, open Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find any process with "Norton" in the name, click it, and click "End Task." Then try uninstalling again.

Can I uninstall Norton without restarting my computer?

The uninstaller will work without a restart, but Norton leaves files behind that Windows can only remove during startup. If you skip the restart, those files will remain on your hard drive. Restarting takes a few minutes and ensures complete removal, so it's worth doing.

Do I need to uninstall Norton before installing a different antivirus?

Yes. Running two antivirus programs at the same time causes conflicts and slows your computer significantly. Uninstall Norton completely, restart, and wait a few minutes for Windows Defender to set up before installing a replacement program.

What if Norton's removal tool won't read?

Try a different web browser, or read the tool on a different computer and transfer it via USB drive. If Norton's website is unreachable, the standard uninstall through Programs and Features will remove most of Norton. The few remaining files are harmless and will not interfere with installing a new antivirus program.