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Wrace's avatar
Wrace
Explorer
Sep 08, 2018

New desktop computer - msn, norton etc

Got a new Acer desktop computer to replace the aging HP I had been using for years, after inheriting it from my wife (who originally bought it refurbished)

It's always such fun setting up a new computer... well not really.

It's running windows 10 home and I have installed firefox for the browser and duckduckgo for the search engine.
Did the updates for windows and firefox and I am now trying to configure things how I would like them.

Norton was installed on the machine either through windows or more likely when I installed firefox. I don't care for norton after previous experience with it. It says I'm 'protected' and there are 27 days left in my subscription. I would like norton off of my new desktop and for it to never bother me again.
How can I do this?

The second issue is it seems like when I first open firefox the first tab is always MSN nonsense. I do not like MSN and would like it to stop bothering me. When I open additional tabs they open correctly to the duckduckgo page.

Thanks!
  • Rvpapa wrote:
    Go to Symantic site and get the Norton removal tool. It removes program and all the left overs. Others won't.
    Art.

    If you want to completely get Norton off your system, this is the best solution.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    There has been a recent legal case about bundled what I call "**** Ware" Now Norton is supposed to be good. unlike McAffee which is a criminal consortium (And I;m not talking about his personal legal issues but the company as a whole). But getting rid of the crapware is job one on most computers.

    IF YOU ONLY use the comptuer for web browsing.. Consider a DChromebook.
  • I use 7...Firefox and have NORTON. No problems. When NORTON tells me I have to run their virus protection and such...I'm happy to do it That's what I'm paying them for. Only takes a couple minits.

    I also have CCleaner and Malwarebytes. Both the free versions. I run both of these once a month.
  • Go to Symantic site and get the Norton removal tool. It removes program and all the left overs. Others won't.
    Art.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    To uninstall: Try Revo Uninstaller (free version), it removes most anything. What is nice about Revo is that it also cleans leftovers after uninstalling. No, Forefox didn't infect you with Norton, they are non-profit and would never impose any trial soft on you.

    To open Firefox without MSN cr-ap: open 'Fox window -> Tools-> Options -> Home -> Homepage and New Windows, choose BLANK PAGE or 'Fox default page, or any other page of your choice. Default page for "New Tabs" is set separately from Homepage.

    You will also need some antivir after deleting Norton. Favorite programs come and go, google up what's popular now. At the moment I like Bitdefender for live protection, and Malwarebytes Free for weekly or biweekly clean-up. Also Sophos once in a blue moon, it's ridiculously slow and usually no need after Malwarebytes.
  • I "support" almost a dozen computers for family and friends. CCleaner (the free version) is a MUST HAVE tool. Just make sure if the ask you if you want Avast anti-virus you say (uncheck the box).

    The "Tools" option in CCleaner (left side) removes unwanted software.
  • Norton was certainly not a "sneak" install by Firefox... it was probably one of the many bloat-ware programs that Acer put on your computer...a trial subscription.

    As posted...delete it. Norton makes deleting difficult. I use a free program called Revo Uninstaller, but there are other ways also..I like Revo Uninstaller because it also picks up lots of left overs in the Registry and other files during the uninstall process..

    Lots of free anti-virus anti-malware programs out there. Right now I'm using Avast Free Antivirus.
  • Go to the Norton homepage and delete it. I don't like Norton at all either. Slows down a machine way too much and is as intrusive as a pop up ad.

    I run Trend Microservice, don't impact my speed or browsing, totally in the background. I need powerful anti-virus for my business website but not the speed reduction. Trend fill the bill. I have Windows 10+ 64 bit pro edition with developers suite.

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