Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) aims to protect very, very well.  To that end, it embeds itself into the Operating System very deep, and in many places, and in many ways.  Unfortunately, this slows down your computer, especially if it’s old, eg an old Windows XP computer.

It is also why SEP comes with an uninstall password.

Note that SEP is usually installed by a business who will install a central server (SEPM) and then regular SEP on all their clients (laptops, desktops).  So let’s say your company lets you keep your laptop.  Well how are you going to get that SEP off there?  It wont keep working forever.

There are various ways i found on the net.

Before doing anything make an image of your hard drive, so you can restore (Important!) if things go horribly wrong

Here are methods i found:

1. Try the default password symantec.From http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-uninstall-symantec-endpoint-client-if-uninstall-password-place

2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\AV\AdministratorOnly\Security\UseVPUninstallPassword

   Set to 0 to disable.

   From: http://www.symantec.com/connect/forums/uninstalling-endpoint-without-password

3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SMC

   Change the value for SmcGuiHasPassword from 1 to 0

   From: http://www.symantec.com/connect/forums/uninstalling-endpoint-without-password

4. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SMC

   delete the smcexit key

   From http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-uninstall-symantec-endpoint-client-if-uninstall-password-place

5. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SMC

   look for smcinstdata key; delete it

   From http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/how-uninstall-symantec-endpoint-client-if-uninstall-password-place

6. Manually change the Policy:  Click HELP AND SUPPORT -> TROUBLESHOOT -> Export the Policy from Policy Profile to an .xml file.
   Edit the .xml file to set

   AdminPassword ExitNeedPassword, UINeedPassword, ImportExportNeedPassword, UninstallNeedPassword

   Set the Value as “0”.  Re-import.

   from here: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/remove-smc-password-without-applying-policy-server

7. cmd line smc -stop to stop the service after removing password
8. When the password comes up, use Task Manager -> Processes (or Sysinternals Process Explorer) to kill the msiexec.exe process.From: http://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/uninstall-symantec-endpoint-protection-without-a-password/

References:

Methods for uninstalling Symantec Endpoint Protection

• Client uninstall

• What to do when conventional uninstall methods fail

  • Cleanwipe
  • Manual uninstall documents for Symantec Endpoint Protection.