Changing antivirus provider
Moving to ESET’s award-winning antivirus software ensures your devices and networks are fully protected from online threats. Once you’re ready to make the switch, you’ll first need to deactivate your old antivirus software and cancel any automated renewals on all your devices. It’s then important to fully uninstall your existing protection; we’ll look at how to do this below.
Tips for switching your antivirus
When choosing a new antivirus, you will need to determine if your needs have changed before signing up to a new provider. For example, you may need more devices covered or a higher level of protection than you did previously.
There are several key considerations when looking for antivirus software, including; your budget, features offered, ease of use and the level of protection you require. Ensure your chosen antivirus protection fully meshes with your needs before taking the next step. It may be tempting to choose the cheapest option. However, this isn’t the wisest choice if the software doesn't offer the features you want.
We’d always recommend choosing a legitimate company for your antivirus software over an obscure company you’ve never heard of. You can also check online reviews to ensure you choose the right provider.
It’s important to note that many antivirus products are suited to a particular type of device, such as a PC, Mac, Android or iOS, so ensure the software you choose is compatible with your devices. It’s also worth picking antivirus protection with regular updates for continuous security.
Some antivirus products will offer additional features such as identity theft protection, a firewall or a password manager; consider which features you would benefit from when deciding.
Do I need to remove or uninstall an old antivirus software before installing a new one?
Yes, we always recommend removing or uninstalling any existing antivirus software before you install your new software. The main reason is to ensure no conflict between your current and new antivirus protection.
Having two types of software can cause errors, lagging, and may mean that threats aren't detected. Your new antivirus may also be less efficient if you choose not to uninstall your old software.
How to remove antivirus software from a Windows PC or laptop
There are two ways of removing antivirus software from a Windows PC or laptop. The first option is to remove the software manually. However, this more time-consuming and complex method may only be effective if done correctly.
Alternatively, a quicker, more effective way of removing your software is to use an antivirus remover tool like the ESET AV remover. Choosing this method removes every trace of your old antivirus software. Even better, the ESET antivirus removal tool is completely free to download.
How to remove antivirus software from Mac
Removing antivirus software from a Mac can be tricky compared to removing it from a PC. However, it’s important to remove your old software before downloading any new software.
Using an online guide can be helpful if you’re unsure how to remove antivirus software from your Mac, or you can follow the below steps:
- Start by clicking on the Launchpad icon on your Dock
- Press and hold the Option key until an X pops up at the top of your apps
- Click the X on your old software, then choose to delete
You can also locate your antivirus software through the Finder icon and click uninstall. Some antivirus software also includes uninstaller functionality.
How does the antivirus removal tool work?
The ESET antivirus removal tool efficiently erases any existing antivirus software, ensuring there are no issues when downloading your new antivirus protection.
Start by downloading and opening the removal tool, then click continue on the welcome page. Ensure you fully read the ESET End-User Licence Agreement and click accept when you’re happy to continue. The tool will then scan your system for any existing antivirus software.
Once you see the software you wish to delete, select it and click remove. The antivirus removal tool will then completely erase your old antivirus. Click continue after the removal is complete, and restart your computer to apply the changes.
What antivirus software does ESET offer?
ESET offers various antivirus software products to fit your requirements perfectly. Before making a decision, consider the following:
- How many devices do you need to protect
- The level of protection you require
- The features that best fit your needs
- Whether you’re a business or a home user
- Your budget
You can compare all the ESET products, features and prices on our website to ensure you’re picking the right software for your needs. To view all the ESET products, visit our selection of antivirus software & cybersecurity solutions for home use or our business security software page.
For a home user, we’d recommend ESET Internet Security, an excellent product for modern users who are concerned about privacy. ESET Internet Security offers robust payment and privacy protection for Windows, macOS and Android devices. Alternatively, ESET Smart Security Premium provides more comprehensive protection for Windows, macOS and Android users with incredible antivirus software, military-grade encryption, and much more.
For businesses, we offer a selection of different tier levels through our ESET PROTECT platform, each with different features and levels of cover. This allows users to customise their security solutions depending on their business requirements completely. Choose from ESET PROTECT Entry, ESET PROTECT Advanced, ESET PROTECT Complete and ESET PROTECT Elite.