Removing Symantec Endpoint Protection

The following is adapted from the Marshall University IT webpage, "Uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection," Copyright © 2022 Marshall University, and is used with permission.

Introduction

Pima College has a license to use Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) that expires on July 23, 2022. Use of SEP on personally-owned devices was permitted under terms of the license, so long as that use was discontinued when the license expired. Therefore, we ask that you discontinue use and remove (uninstall) the software from any personally-owned devices as soon as possible. Below are instructions on how to remove SEP from both Windows and Mac computers.

To help you continue protecting your personal computer, see the Pima IT Security antivirus recommendations below.

Windows Instructions

Uninstall the Symantec Endpoint Protection Client for Windows

Note: The following procedure requires you to restart your computer, so before you begin, be sure to save any open work.

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Windows icon (at the left end of the Taskbar) to open the Start Menu.
2. Click the Settings icon (looks like a gear), or, for Windows versions earlier than 10, click Control Panel.
3. Click Apps. The Apps & features window opens.
4. In the list on the right, locate Symantec Endpoint Protection, and then click its icon. By default, apps are listed in alphabetical order.

5. Click Uninstall. Another prompt might appear. If so, click Uninstall again.
6. Continue to follow prompts to allow the application to uninstall.
7. When complete, a prompt to restart the computer appears. Click Yes.
    

Keep Windows Systems Protected

After SEP is uninstalled on a Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 PC, Windows Defender becomes the primary antivirus software. We recommend you verify that Windows Defender is turned on. To do so:

1. On the Start Menu, scroll down until you can click Windows Security.
2. In the lower-left corner, click Settings.
3. On the right, under Security Providers, click Manage Providers.
   If it is enabled, under Antivirus, you should see the message, “Windows Defender Antivirus is turned on."

MacOS Instructions

Uninstall the Symantec Endpoint Protection Client for MacOS

MacOS Versions 14 and Later

Note: The following procedure requires you to restart your computer, so before you begin, be sure to save any open work.

1. From the Mac computer's menu bar, open the Symantec Endpoint Protection client, and then click Symantec Endpoint Protection > Uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection.
2. Click Uninstall again to begin the removal process.
3. To install a helper tool that is needed for uninstalling the Symantec Endpoint Protection client, enter your Mac’s administrative username and password, and then click Install Helper.
4. In the Symantec Endpoint Protection is trying to modify a System Extension dialog box, enter your Mac’s administrative username and password, and then click OK.
5. You may be prompted to type a password to uninstall the client. This password may be a different password than your Mac’s administrative password.
6. Once the removal completes, click Restart Now.
    

MacOS Versions Earlier than 14

This instruction is from the Mac Client Uninstall portion of this Symantec (Broadcom) webpage.

1. On the Menu Bar, click the Symantec Endpoint Protection client icon.
2. Click Uninstall. 
3. Continue to follow prompts to allow the application to uninstall.
    

If MacOS Uninstallation Fails

On occasion, uninstallation for Mac can fail, or be incomplete. In those cases, it is necessary to follow the instructions contained in this Symantec (Broadcom) Webpage, which include downloading a .zip file that is linked at the bottom of that page, extracting the compressed files, then running its application file. It is important to be aware that this method removes all files within Symantec-installed folders, even those files you may have created yourself.

Antivirus Recommendations