The dangers of computer spyware and malware have never been greater. With the continued expansion of Internet usage and eBusiness, computer hackers have never had as many targets for exploitation as exist today. Despite the potential monetary risk of not protecting one’s computer from the threat, many computer users still fail to install and update antivirus and antispyware programs on their computers. If you are getting ready to install or purchase new antivirus software, a common task for computer users is removing previous installations of computer antivirus products from their computer. The following is a basic guide to remove antivirus products from Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Mac OS X. Note, that once you follow these steps, your computer will be without antivirus protection until you install new software.

Removing Antivirus Products from Microsoft Windows 7

Step 1 – Close any programs that are open on your computer.

Step 2 – Open the Windows Control Panel and choose the Programs option..

Step 3 – Pick the “Uninstall a Program” menu option.

Step 4 – Single left click the antivirus program to remove.

Step 5 – Choose the “Uninstall” menu option listed in the menu bar above the listing of programs

Step 6 – Choose the “Continue” menu option to allow Windows to proceed with removing the program.

Step 7 – Select “Yes” when asked to confirm removal of the antivirus program.

Step 8 – Choose the “Yes” menu button when asked to restart your computer.

Step 9 – Go to the web site of the software manufacturer of the antivirus program you removed. Download and run any tools listed on the site for assistance with removal of the antivirus software.

Step 10 – Restart your complete when finished with the removal process.

Removing Antivirus Products from Microsoft Windows Vista

Step 1 – Close any programs that are open on your computer.

Step 2 – Open the Windows Control Panel by selecting the “Start à Control Panel” menu options.

Step 3 – Pick the “Add/Remove Programs” menu option. If the Control Panel is displaying in the “Classic View” choose the “Programs and Features” icon.

Step 4 – Single left click the antivirus program to remove.

Step 5 – Choose the “Remove” menu option listed in the menu bar above the listing of programs

Step 6 – Choose the “Continue” menu option to allow Windows to proceed with removing the program.

Step 7 – Select “Yes” when asked to confirm removal of the antivirus program.

Step 8 – Choose the “Yes” menu button when asked to restart your computer.

Step 9 – Go to the web site of the software manufacturer of the antivirus program you removed. Download and run any tools listed on the site for assistance with removal of the antivirus software.

Step 10 – Restart your complete when finished with the removal process.

Removing Antivirus Products from Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003

Step 1 – Close any programs that are open on your computer.

Step 2 – Open the Windows Control Panel by selecting the “Start à Control Panel” menu options.

Step 3 – Pick the “Add/Remove Programs” menu option

Step 4 – Single left click the antivirus program to remove and click the “Remove” menu button.

Step 5 – Select “Yes” when asked to confirm removal of the antivirus program.

Step 6 – Choose the “Yes” menu button when asked to restart your computer.

Step 7 – Go to the web site of the software manufacturer of the antivirus program you removed. Download and run any tools listed on the site for assistance with removal of the antivirus software.

Step 8 – Restart your complete when finished with the removal process.

Removing Antivirus Products from Mac OS X

Step 1 – Close any applications that are running on your computer.

Step 2 – Open the uninstallation program bundled with your MAC OS X antivirus. It will be located in the same folder as the antivirus program.

Step 3 – Visit the website of the antivirus manufacturer to see if there are any clean up tools available to download and run to remove your antivirus program.

Step 4 – Restart your computer after the uninstall is complete.

Windows System restore is a too embedded in the Windows Operating System that creates restore points on your computer so that you can restore the disk to a previously saved point in the event of failure or crash when you install software applications on your computer. A common task that you will need to accomplish when removing computer malware from your computer is to turn off Windows System Restore during the removal process so that you prevent Windows from restoring the virus or spyware on your computer at a future date.

Turning Windows System Restore On/Off in Windows Vista

1 – Open the Operating System by choosing “Start->Control Panel” menu options followed by the “System and Maintenance->System” menu selections.

2 – Choose “System Protection” on the left menu. If you’re asked for a password for the administrator account on your computer enter that here.

3 – Turn System Restore off by clearing the check box to the left of your hard drive label. To turn on, toggle the check box so it is selected.

Turning Windows System Restore On/Off in Windows XP

1 – Select the “Start” menu and right click the “My Computer” icon followed by left clicking the “Properties” menu option.
2 – Choose the “System Restore” menu tab in the system properties dialogue box.
3 – Turn off System Restore by selecting the check box next to the “Turn Off System Restore” check box. To turn on, de-select this check box. You will be asked to confirm that you want to turnoff system restore if this is the action you are taking. Choose the “Yes” menu option if this is the case.

Turning Windows System Restore On/Off in Windows ME

1 – Right click the “My Computer” icon on your desktop and left click the “Properties” menu button.
2 – Choose the “File System” label on the Performance menu tab.
3 – Select the “Troubleshooting” menu tab and choose the “Disable System Restore” check box to turn off. To turn on, clear this check box.