Norton Removal Tool 2012

Anti-virus software, like the computer security products from Norton, is notorious for being hard to get rid of. These applications are almost as hard to remove as the viruses they protect your computer from. A simple delete using the Add/Remove Software tool on your computer just doesn't do the job. Sometimes you have to download software to get rid of software.

The Norton Removal Tool 2012 by Symantec was created for this very purpose. You can download it for free using mirror sites. Once it is on your computer, it will find and remove any trace of Norton 2003 to 2012 software from your computer.

Norton Removal Tool 2012 Drawbacks

The Norton Removal Tool 2012 doesn't come without some drawbacks. It erases your program settings. Even worse, it releases any items that Norton put in quarantine. This can leave your system open to attack. The best fix for that problem is to install new anti-virus software that can catch any malicious items as they are released back into the system.

Norton Removal Tool 2012 Prep Work

If you are planning to use the Norton Removal Tool 2012 to delete Norton so that you can reinstall it, make sure you write down your product key before your delete Norton. After it wipes your computer, you will be required to re-enter the product key before you can reinstall the software. You can find your product key a few different ways:

• Go to your online Norton account.
• If you have a CD for the software, the product key may be printed on the CD or on the box that the CD came in.
• If you registered your Norton product, the customer service department may be able to look up your product key information.

If you are unable to find your product key, you may be forced to re-purchase the software. You could try not deleting Norton and contacting the company for tips on how to resolve any problems you are having with the software. Deleting it and reinstalling it may not even be needed.

Using Norton Removal Tool 2012

Once you have downloaded the removal tool, it is very simple to use.

• Double click on the software's icon.
• Shut down any other applications you are running on your computer.
• Follow the directions listed on your screen.
• The tool will search for any folders, files or registry keys that are associated with Norton. This process can take five to 10 minutes. Do not start any other applications while the deletion is taking place.
• When the process is done, restart your computer.
• Delete the Norton Removal Tool 2012 using your computer's Add/Remove Software tool.

It may be a hassle to download new software to get rid of old software, but once the Norton Removal Tool 2012 system is downloaded, it quickly removes any trace of Norton security software. It removes the need to hunt down all Norton-related files yourself, saving you a lot of time and frustration.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™