If you have had any difficulty in uninstalling some antivirus software from your computer, you would have heard about antivirus removal tools. There are also a few times when these tools become a necessity like installing a new antivirus program. That having said, the last time we checked, not many people understand why they should use an antivirus removal tool. So, we decided to give you a brief yet comprehensive idea about antivirus removal tools as well as why you should use them. Here, we will be talking about what is an antivirus removal tool, why you should use such tools, and a general idea about using one of these tools. Shall we begin?
What Is An Antivirus Removal Tool?
An antivirus removal tool is also known as antivirus remover and antivirus removal software.
To put in the simplest manner, an antivirus removal tool is an antithesis of an antivirus installer. That is, an antivirus removal tool does the exact opposite of what an antivirus installer does. To break it further, these tools would remove an antivirus from your computer, be it macOS or Windows.
If you are wondering what an antivirus removal tool does, it’s pretty simple. This tool would remove every bit and piece of the antivirus installation from your computer. In other words, there won’t be a single trace that you had installed another antivirus before.
Just so you know, there isn’t a universal antivirus removal tool available right now. That is because of the basic fact that every antivirus is different from each other. So, developers release some exclusive tools to get rid of antivirus installation. You will have one for Kaspersky and another one for Bitdefender.
We hope you have the basic idea about an antivirus removal tool right now.
Why Do We Need Antivirus Removal Tools?
So, an antivirus removal tool removes an antivirus installation from your computer. But, can’t you simply get rid of the antivirus program by uninstalling it from Control Panel or Applications folder? Well, there is a catch you should be aware of.
Not just that, there are a few reasons why you have to use antivirus removal tools. Some of them are:
- Normal Uninstall Isn’t Enough
Conventional uninstall option may be enough for getting rid of normal programs. However, this will not do the job when it comes to most of the antivirus programs. You see, antivirus programs are installed in such a way that they have deep control in your computer. As a result, there will be multiple components and files that are dedicated for individual functions. Even when you uninstall an antivirus program, residual files will stay on your computer — which can cause problems. So, if you want a clean uninstall of antivirus software, you need a dedicated removal tool as well.
- New Antivirus May Function Improperly
It’s completely up to you to simply uninstall the antivirus program from your computer and think it’s alright. However, the problem comes when you install another antivirus software in the computer. This time, some components of the antivirus engine may have conflict with the remnant components. In the long run, it will cause some issues. For instance, some features of the antivirus program may not work. Even worse, you may not be able to complete the installation of the antivirus program. You can avoid all these issues by removing the antivirus installation using a removal tool.
- Antivirus Removal Tools Are Simple
Antivirus removal tools, regardless of the developer, are very simple to use. See, developers have built these tools to ease the process of uninstallation, right? Because of this, you can have the program uninstalled in a few clicks. In another scenario, you may have to remove individual folders or components from the system — one by one. It’s more important when we consider the fact that developers like Bitdefender are offering so many additional features with their antivirus package. So, by relying on an antivirus removal tool, you can get a clean slate.
These are just some reasons why you have to use antivirus removal tools instead of traditional uninstall. We are sure that the advantages outweigh the minimal efforts that you are taking.
Well, the whole process may vary depending on the antivirus developer. For example, the antivirus removal tool from Bitdefender may be quite different from the one that Kaspersky makes. There are, however, a few core points.
- First, you will have to download the antivirus removal tool from the official website. While doing so, you may also have to provide details about your device, the version of antivirus you are running etc.
- Open the removal tool and the wizard-based interface is very easy to use. You will have to select a number of preferences, such as the type of cleaning and the type of cleaning. Some removal tools do also have an option for installation repair as well.
- In the last step, wait while the removal tool gets rid of the uninstallation. You may have to restart the computer after this.
Pretty easy, huh?
The Bottom Line
Now, there’s no doubt that antivirus removal tools are super-useful. If you are someone who wants to shift to better antivirus software as they become available, make sure you choose a developer that creates easy removal tools as well.
