An Antivirus Removal Tool for Windows is a specialized utility designed to completely uninstall or remove antivirus software from your Windows computer. This is often necessary when :

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Uninstallation fails:

The standard uninstall process through the Control Panel might not work correctly, leaving behind registry entries, files, or services.
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Conflicts between antivirus programs:

Installing a new antivirus program might conflict with an existing one, leading to system instability.
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Malware infection:

Malware might have disabled or corrupted your existing antivirus software, making it impossible to uninstall normally.
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Troubleshooting issues:

Removing the antivirus temporarily can help troubleshoot problems related to its operation.

These tools typically perform more thorough removal than a standard uninstall, ensuring all traces of the antivirus program are eliminated. They often include features like:

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Registry cleanup:

Removing all registry entries associated with the antivirus.
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File deletion:

Removing all files and folders related to the antivirus.
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Service termination:

Stopping any background processes or services run by the antivirus.

Important Note:

Using an antivirus removal tool requires caution. Removing your antivirus temporarily leaves your system vulnerable to malware.

Always ensure you reinstall a reputable antivirus program as soon as you[SQ]ve finished using the removal tool.

Examples of such tools include those provided by major antivirus vendors themselves (e.g., many have tools on their support sites to uninstall their own products). There are also third-party removal tools available, but exercise caution and only download them from trusted sources to avoid introducing malware. A general search for "[Antivirus Name] removal tool" will usually yield results for specific programs.