Installation Advice for Upgrade?

[Jazwes]

Hi,

I've presently have Comcast Securrity Center on my Dell Studio 17 Laptop w/Vista Home Preminum 64.  The subscription just expired and I don't plan to renew.  I Just placed an order for McAfee's Total Protection 2010 (3 User), which should arrive early next week.

My question is, can the Total Protection 2010 (3 User) software be installed over the existing Comcast Security Center Version, or will I have to unstall the currently installed software first?  If I can install over the old version, should I be concerned regarding possible conflicts between Subscription Dates for old software vs. the newly installed Date?

TIA,

Wes

[exbrit]

To prevent any possible corruption due to the Comcast branding, I would enable Windows Firewall, then  do the following:

1.  Uninstall all McAfee programs through "Add or Remove Programs" in Windows "Control Panel".

2.  Use the MCPR tool, see this article: How to remove supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MC...  This will remove all McAfee remnants from your computer.  (You must have Windows 7,  Vista, XP or 2000 SP4 to use this tool)

3.  Launch Windows Explorer and delete all McAfee files in "Program Files" but especially in "C:\Document and Settings\<user>\Application Data" and "C:\Document and Settings\All Users\Application Data". You have to set Windows Explorer to show all hidden files and folders (Tools > Folder Options > View tab). Just delete the McAfee folders even if they are empty in all the "Application Data" folders. Can be more than one!

In Vista: C:\Program Files, C:\ProgramData and C:\Users\yourname\AppData\Roaming

If you can't find these files don't worry.  It just means that MCPR has done its job.

4.  Reboot and redownload/reinstall your McAfee products directly from your account at the McAfee web site or in your case the CD. Once installed and registered make sure you update it immediately.

The installation will automatically disable the Windows Firewall.

Message was edited by: Ex_Brit on 11/15/09 10:15 AM

[Jazwes]

Ex-Brit,

Many thanks for such a detailed response.  I'm now eagerly awaiting its arrival.

Wes

[exbrit]

You're welcome.  By the way the 2010 product is actually the 2009 product with built-in upgrade to 2010 when released.  The actual 2010 products are still in beta testing at present.