Uninstalling McAfee Family Protection

Question

I attempted to uninstall McAfee Family Protection from my Surface Pro 4. I receive a message that I needed an Uninstall code. I contacted McAfee, after more than 2 hours they were unable to uninstall. They used their MCPR still not able to uninstall. They stated that they do not have such Uninstall codes and suggested I reach out to Micro-soft to see what else may be hindering it.

I think this is why I stopped using my Surface cause McAfee even blocks me from Google...Please can someone help.

Answer 1

First, if McAfee won't provide an uninstall code, the only advice I can provide is to back up files and data stored locally and perform a wipe and reset from the downloadable recovery image. Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surfacerecoveryimage  

(with a different Windows computer if yours is not working properly) 

and download a recovery image for your Surface. You will need a 16GB or 32GB USB stick (also called a flash drive) formatted FAT32 (use a Windows computer).  You can't use an actual external USB hard drive for this and don't use anything larger than a 32 GB USB stick. Best to purchase and use a new, previously unused USB stick for this. Use FULL format and not quick format and give the volume a name like surfboot. Unzip/extract the recovery zip to the root of the formatted USB stick.

There are full instructions and a video at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4023512/surface-creating-and-using-a-usb-recovery-drive#download

McAfee documents that you need this (ridiculous) code to uninstall this program. Their retention/marketing tactics seem to have reached a new level of pain. To be honest, I would not trust any method OTHER than reimaging to get this off your Surface. And you will be safe with the built in Windows Defender.

Answer 2

Thank you!!! I made one more attempt at McAfee before doing this. They directed me to a tech that knew what to do. Hallelujah! He walked me through with the uninstall code that was needed. It’s obvious they need to do more training with their techs as this one knew instantly what needed to be done. Thank you again!!!

Answer 3

Happy to help. Please do mark my earlier reply as answer if it helped.