About Mr_Mike

Just to  put on a cherry on this ... started in Safe Mode and was able to remove the remaining Norton files in the ProgramFile\NortonSecurity folder. There are still a load of registry entries for all things Norton but enough is enough. Editing is the registry is above and beyond and can be a recipe for disaster.  Seems the Norton Removal tool leaves quite a bit. ... View more

That may well be the simpliest solution.   I am a little wary of third party uninstallers, so perhaps run a virus scan on the iObit uninstaller.   Googled iObit and this came up:   Is IObit Uninstaller safe? No, IObit Uninstaller is a legitimate program that can help you thoroughly remove other applications from your PC. However, the fact that it offers to install third-party software can be seen as malware behavior.   (i.e., don't click too fast during the install of the uninstaller) Mike ... View more

(Note - this applies to the free Norton Security provided by Comcast - not Norton 360)   Just uninstalled Norton, first using Control Panel/Uninstall and then, the Norton Removal Tool. Deleted the remaining Norton files from the Norton folder in ProgramFiles(x86) - not sure what the Norton folder was called.   A popup window later appeared informing me my current version of Norton was incompatible with Win 10 with only Remind Me Later and Next options - no cancel or close option.  It then started downloading Norton files at which time I was able to cancel the operation.   Checked the ProgramFiles folder (not Program Files (x86)) to find the Norton Security folder intact. Deleted the bulk of the files there but was unable to delete a nested folder containing 4 .js files (brandingdata_hash, CustomPackage_hash, CustomPackageFDE_hah and policy_hash) as well an hlinks folder containing copies of these files. I'm guessing that there were two installs of different Norton products and the uninstall only deleted one? Anyway, I used Windows Settings for Startup Apps and sure enough Norton Install was there. I disabled it and then used Windows System Internals Autoruns to remove all remaining traces of Norton from the logon procedure.   (I do recall many years ago having an issue with Norton and Norton Tech support remoted to my PC and installed another version of the sw, so there's a good chance the existing installation was not uninstalled, so I can't really fault Xfinity). Finally, I installed Bitdefender, which was reasonably priced (below $25 for AnitVirus+ for 3 devices). Windows Defender may be sufficient but thought I'd err on the side of caution. So everything is fine now, except those remaining files are a raspberry seed in my teeth.   ... View more

I think we may be bayonetting the wounded here and I don't want to belabor the point.   From what I've read the Norton Removal Tool  has an advanced option to Remove Only. so it does not necessarily Remove and Reinstall.   Also you might want to weigh Norton's advice on removal vs. Xfinity as far as technical merit. ... View more

Hi,   Take a look at the Lifewire article link in my post.   You can try to uninstall using Windows Control Panel. If you get an error message, use the Norton uninstall tool and choose Remove Only. The article does a good job of explaining it.   Mike ... View more

See the following article: https://www.lifewire.com/uninstall-norton-antivirus-from-any-computer-4589373   Briefly, you may be able to uninstall it via Windows Control Panel but ....   Some Windows users experience problems when attempting to uninstall Norton using this method and receive a message stating that an error occurred, and the software may have been uninstalled. It hasn't been uninstalled in this case, and you need to download and launch the Norton Remove and Reinstall tool from Symantec.   In the past some users have found the Windows uninstall did not completely remove all remnants of the program (registery entries, etc.) but again ymmv ...   Good luck. Mike ... View more

Most apps run under the installed operating system and can be installed and uninstalled with standard installers and Windows (or whatever is you're running) uninstallers.   Anti Virus apps run at a lower level, intercepting calls before they can be processed by the operating system,  so the installers and uninstallers need to do their work prior to the os being fully loaded. Hence the, specialized uninstallers. ... View more

Couple of things - you can log in to LastPass using fingerprint verification (if that's set up on your phone) and you can move the toggle that indicates - Don't ask to verify for 30 days (remember to do that before verifying.)  - if using 2FA.   Also I have the LastPass Authenticator app installed on phone. With the Authenitcator app, you just need to click to accept the 2FA. Hope this is not too unclear.   My only minor frustration is that it seems that occassionally, the 2FA kicks in before the 30 day interval expires. But then again, I'm old and time flies by ... so maybe it actually is a month.   Good luck, Mike ... View more

Terri,   Not sure that the free version can be used on two machines but try it out. There is an intermediate option, I believe, the Family plan that is less expensive and can be used on multiple machines.   I suspect that if you install the free version on multiple devices, they will not be synched up and you may end up having to do that yourself - which is a hassle. But maybe I'm wrong about that.   Mike ... View more

Hi,   I've used LastPass for years and am very satisified.   Until I saw your post, I was unaware their pricing policy had changed. I suspect I have been grandfathered in at their old rate ($12 annually) but at $36 it's still reasonable (IMHO).   They did have a free version for use on a single machine which is a good way to get familiar with the app, though maybe now it's morphed into a limited time trial version?   I use it on a desktop, 2 iPhones and 2 iPads and it works flawlessly accross devices using 2FA for added security. They are good about posting any  reported service interuptions and resolutions but that's a fairly rare occurence and quickly reolved.  All-in-all, in my experience a very good company.   HTH, Mike ... View more

Haven't looked too deeply. From the articles cited here - looks like Microsoft Defender (formerly, Windows Defender) has the basic antivirus functionality without the bells and whistles of a fully featured product (Backup/PasswordManager/etc.)  but then again it's free.   Again, I'm no expert but it seems to me that it fulfils the basic av requirement. And there are other free packages (AOMEI backup, LastPass) that can replace  backup and password manager functions if you were using Norton to handle these.    HTH, Mike   ... View more

If you're using Windows 10, I believe turning off or removing Norton will turn on Windows Defender, the anitivirus included w/ Win 10. (Windows Defender might have a slightly different name now - and you can google how to turn it on or to confirm that it's on - Settings, Netowrk,Security, etc.)   HTH, Mike ... View more