In today’s digital age, protecting your computer from malware, viruses, and other online threats is crucial. TotalAV is one of the most popular antivirus programs available, offering comprehensive protection against such threats. However, there may come a time when you decide that TotalAV is no longer the right fit for your needs, or perhaps you wish to replace it with a different security solution. In such cases, knowing how to delete TotalAV from your computer is essential.
Whether you're upgrading to a new antivirus program, facing issues with your current installation, or simply no longer need TotalAV, this easy-to-follow guide will walk you through the step-by-step process to completely delete TotalAV from your system. We’ll also provide troubleshooting tips in case you encounter any issues during the uninstallation.
Why You Might Want to Delete TotalAV from Your Computer
Before we get into the steps, let’s consider why you might want to delete TotalAV from your computer. There are a few common reasons why users decide to uninstall antivirus software:
- Switching to a New Antivirus Solution: If you’ve decided to try a different antivirus program, you may need to remove TotalAV before installing the new software.
- Subscription Expiry or Cancellations: If your TotalAV subscription has ended and you do not plan to renew it, you might choose to uninstall the software entirely.
- Device Performance Issues: Some users report that their computer performance suffers due to antivirus software consuming too many resources. In such cases, removing the program could improve overall performance.
- General Clean-Up: Over time, you may decide to perform a routine cleanup on your computer and remove software that is no longer necessary.
Regardless of your reason, knowing how to delete TotalAV from your computer properly ensures that the software is removed cleanly and won’t leave behind any residual files that could cause problems down the road.
How to Delete TotalAV from Your Computer
The process for deleting TotalAV from your computer is relatively simple and can be completed in just a few steps. Depending on whether you are using a Windows PC or a Mac, the uninstallation process may differ slightly. We’ll break down each method for both operating systems.
Method 1: Deleting TotalAV on Windows
If you are using a Windows computer, you can easily delete TotalAV using the built-in Windows uninstallation tools. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open the Settings Menu
- Click on the Start menu (Windows icon) located at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Select the Settings gear icon to open the Windows Settings menu.
Step 2: Access the Apps & Features Section
- In the Settings window, click on Apps to open the list of installed applications on your computer.
- Under the Apps & Features section, scroll down to find TotalAV in the list of installed software.
Step 3: Locate TotalAV
- Scroll through the list or use the search bar in the top-right corner of the screen to quickly locate TotalAV.
- Once you find TotalAV, click on it to reveal options.
Step 4: Click on Uninstall
- After selecting TotalAV, you’ll see the Uninstall button appear. Click Uninstall, and a confirmation dialog will pop up asking if you’re sure you want to remove the program.
Step 5: Confirm the Uninstallation
- Confirm that you wish to proceed with the uninstallation by clicking Yes.
- Windows will begin the uninstallation process, and the TotalAV uninstaller will open.
Step 6: Follow the Uninstallation Wizard
- The TotalAV uninstaller will guide you through the process. It may ask if you want to remove TotalAV’s files and settings as well. Make sure to select all the options to ensure the program is completely deleted from your system.
- After following the instructions, click Uninstall to begin the removal.
Step 7: Restart Your Computer
- After the uninstallation process is complete, it’s a good idea to restart your computer to finalize the changes. This ensures that any leftover files or settings are cleared, and your system is fully free of TotalAV.
Troubleshooting: What If TotalAV Doesn’t Uninstall?
If you run into issues while trying to delete TotalAV from your computer, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
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Use the TotalAV Uninstaller Tool: If the regular uninstallation method doesn’t work, you can download the TotalAV Uninstaller Tool from the TotalAV website. This tool is specifically designed to help users remove TotalAV completely from their system.
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Restart in Safe Mode: If you cannot uninstall the program in normal mode, restart your computer in Safe Mode and try the uninstallation again. Safe Mode minimizes the number of running processes, allowing you to remove TotalAV without interference.
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Manually Delete Residual Files: After uninstallation, you may need to manually delete leftover files and folders associated with TotalAV. Check the following directories:
- C:\Program Files\TotalAV
- C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Local\TotalAV
- C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\TotalAV
Manually delete any folders or files that are still there, as these can sometimes be left behind by the uninstallation process.
Method 2: Deleting TotalAV on MacOS
If you’re using a Mac, the process for deleting TotalAV differs slightly, but it’s still relatively simple.
Step 1: Open Finder
- Click on the Finder icon (the smiling face) in your dock to open the file explorer.
Step 2: Go to the Applications Folder
- In the Finder window, select Applications from the left sidebar.
- This will open a list of all the applications installed on your Mac.
Step 3: Locate TotalAV
- In the Applications folder, locate TotalAV.
Step 4: Drag TotalAV to the Trash
- To delete TotalAV, simply drag the TotalAV application to the Trash in your dock. Alternatively, you can right-click on TotalAV and select Move to Trash.
Step 5: Empty the Trash
- To completely remove TotalAV from your system, right-click on the Trash icon in your dock and select Empty Trash.
Step 6: Remove Leftover Files (Optional)
- Sometimes, applications leave behind residual files, even after being deleted. If you want to ensure that all TotalAV files are completely removed from your Mac, search for and delete the following files:
- ~/Library/Application Support/TotalAV
- *~/Library/Preferences/com.totalav.
- ~/Library/Caches/TotalAV
- You can find these files by navigating to the Library folder in Finder. To access the Library, click on the Go menu at the top of the screen, press the Option key, and select Library.
Troubleshooting: What If TotalAV Doesn’t Delete on Mac?
If you are facing difficulties deleting TotalAV from your Mac, try these troubleshooting tips:
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Use the Uninstaller Tool: Similar to Windows, you can download the TotalAV Uninstaller for Mac from the TotalAV website.
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Check Admin Permissions: Ensure that you have administrator privileges on your Mac. If you don’t, you may need to enter your admin password to complete the uninstallation.
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Restart in Safe Mode: Restarting your Mac in Safe Mode can sometimes help resolve uninstallation issues. Safe Mode disables unnecessary processes that could interfere with deleting the software.
Additional Tips for a Clean Removal of TotalAV
After deleting TotalAV from your computer, it’s a good idea to follow these additional steps to ensure your computer is fully optimized:
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Run a Disk Cleanup: Use built-in tools or third-party software to clean up any leftover files, cache, and temporary files from your system. This will help optimize performance.
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Install a New Antivirus Solution: If you removed TotalAV to make space for a new antivirus program, make sure to install your new security software as soon as possible to ensure your computer remains protected from cyber threats.
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Check for Updates: Whether you’re reinstalling TotalAV or another antivirus program, always check for the latest updates after installation to ensure you’re fully protected against new threats.
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Monitor Your System’s Health: Even after removing TotalAV, it’s important to monitor your computer’s performance and security regularly. Use system diagnostic tools to check for any issues that may arise.
Conclusion
Knowing how to delete TotalAV from your computer is an important skill for maintaining control over your software and ensuring that your system stays optimized. Whether you are switching to a new antivirus program, ending your subscription, or just cleaning up your computer, following the steps outlined in this guide will ensure a smooth and efficient uninstallation process.
By carefully following these steps for both Windows and MacOS, you can safely delete TotalAV and ensure that there are no residual files left behind. Additionally, if you encounter any issues, using the TotalAV uninstaller tool or other troubleshooting methods will help resolve any problems. After removing TotalAV, don’t forget to monitor your system’s security and consider installing an alternative antivirus program to keep your computer safe from online threats.