Completely removing third party anti virus software if you have problems with Studio One or VST cloud licenses (UAD, iLok…)

[TDF1981]

You might know that if you keep your computer away from certain websites and use it as a production tool all you need is Windows Defender. All anti virus software writes itself deeply into the system and when you deinstall it, it is never completely gone - otherwise a virus could use deinstall tricks as well. So to make sure it is really gone almost every company has a special removal tool. Here is a handy list of those for the most common anti virus softwares. if you use something else and want to get rid of it search their website for a removal tool.
By the way: if you want to change your anti virus software you would also need to completely get rid of your previous program, so this would also apply.

• Avast Uninstall Utility: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
• AVG Remover Tool: http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities
• Avira RegistryCleaner: http://www.avira.com/en/downloads#tools
• BitDefender: How to uninstall BitDefender: http://www.bitdefender.com/support/How-to-uninstall-BitDefender-333.html
• BullGuard: Uninstalling BullGuard: http://www.bullguard.com/support/product-guides/bullguard-internet-security-guides/uninstall.aspx
• ESET: How do I manually uninstall my Windows ESET security product?: http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&id=SOLN2289
• F Secure: Uninstalling F-Secure Internet Security/Anti-Virus: http://www.f-secure.com/en/web/home_global/support/article/kba/2109
• Kaspersky: Removal tool for Kaspersky Lab products: http://support.kaspersky.com/kis2010/service?qid=208279463
• McAfee: How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe): http://service.mcafee.com/faqdocument.aspx?id=CS41013&lang=en_US&prior_tid=2&AnswerID=16777217&turl==http%3A%2F%2Fkb.mcafee.com%2Finfocenter%2Findex%3Fpage%3Dcontent%26id%3DCS41013%26actp%3Dsearch%26viewlocale%3Den_US
• Norton Removal Tool: https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?lg=english&ct=united+states&docid=20080710133834EN&product=home&version=1&pvid=f-home
• Panada Security: http://www.pandasecurity.com/search/?hl=en&lr=lang_en&nq=site:www.pandasecurity.com/&term=uninstall
• PC Tools: How do I uninstall ThreatFire?: http://www.pctools.com/threatfire/answers/id/760/
• Prevx: Prevx2.0 Removal Tool (and Prevx1): http://info.prevx.com/removaltool.asp
• Spybot Search and Destroy: How to uninstall: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/howto/uninstall.html
• TrendMicro: How to uninstall my Trend Micro program using the Trend Micro Diagnostic Toolkit: http://esupport.trendmicro.com/Pages/How-do-I-remove-old-or-new-versions-of-Trend-Micro-products-in-my-comp.aspx
• Windows Live OneCare: http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/c/b/4cb845e7-1076-437b-852a-7842a8ab13c8/OneCareCleanUp.exe
• ZoneAlarm: Complete full uninstall of ZoneAlarm: Go to http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/support/zonealarm-service-support.htm, and the search for "uninstall".

 

[hieroglyph]

Thanks for the info, it's very helpful.

Does Windows Defender ever send popups? I just posted in another subforum about taking my computer completely offline, even shutting off AV. If Defender doesn't use popups, I might keep it around.

 

[TDF1981]

Thanks for the info, it's very helpful.

Does Windows Defender ever send popups? I just posted in another subforum about taking my computer completely offline, even shutting off AV. If Defender doesn't use popups, I might keep it around.

I‘d say Win Defender is safe and shouldn’t send unwanted popups. I am a Mac user though.

 

[Gerran]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think Windows Defender uses the message system of Windows for it's pop-ups. I've set that up to always be in "Do not disturb" and am never bothered with any of it's messages. I cannot recall any Windows Defender pop up showing up on my system.

 

[Muzik4Life]

Even Windows Defender will cause you problems when running your system as a DAW.
The best way to tame any antivirus would be to use the Exceptions list (Whitelisting). Add all your trusted Daw/Plugins/Software to your anitivirus exceptions list and you'll never have a lag/stutter/bleep again no matter what Antivirus you use..

Alternately, Take you DAW offline and use a secondary system as your daily driver.

Not used a 3rd party Antivirus for the past 15+yrs, im online with my system everyday.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Powershell is your friend when using Win Defender. While exclusion lists are of course necessary - kneecapping the Task Scheduler for Defender is where the real wins are hiding.

I have mine tuned so well that it does not even make a peep while I am working. But ensures 100% piece if mind when I am not. Plenty of scripts and tweaks out there that most folks can easily put in place.

Common sense + Defender + a manual weekly scan from MalwareBytes is all anyone ever needs. I honestly do not understand how third party AV vendors survive these days.

VP

 

[Muzik4Life]

For anyone who finds adding Exceptions to windows defender cumbersome and for those who cant handle cmd-line. https://www.sordum.org/10636/defender-exclusion-tool-v1-4/