{"id":259,"date":"2013-04-18T01:21:38","date_gmt":"2013-04-18T01:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/montgomeryminds.com\/blog\/?p=259"},"modified":"2013-04-18T17:11:30","modified_gmt":"2013-04-18T17:11:30","slug":"how-to-uninstall-symantec-endpoint-protection-v11-without-the-uninstall-password-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/montgomeryminds.com\/blog\/how-to-uninstall-symantec-endpoint-protection-v11-without-the-uninstall-password-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection v11 WITHOUT the uninstall password"},"content":{"rendered":"

Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) aims to protect very, very well.\u00a0 To that end, it embeds itself into the Operating System very deep, and in many places, and in many ways.\u00a0 Unfortunately, this slows down your computer, especially if it’s old, eg an old Windows XP computer.<\/p>\n

It is also why SEP comes with an uninstall password.<\/p>\n

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).\u00a0 So let’s say your company lets you keep your laptop.\u00a0 Well how are you going to get that SEP off there?\u00a0 It wont keep working forever.<\/p>\n

There are various ways i found on the net.<\/p>\n

Before doing anything make an image of your hard drive, so you can restore<\/a><\/strong> (Important!) if things go horribly wrong<\/p>\n

Here are methods i found:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Try the default password symantec<\/code>.From http:\/\/www.symantec.com\/connect\/articles\/how-uninstall-symantec-endpoint-client-if-uninstall-password-place<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. \n
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Symantec\\Symantec Endpoint Protection\\AV\\AdministratorOnly\\Security\\UseVPUninstallPassword<\/pre>\n
    Set to 0 to disable.<\/p>\n
    From: http:\/\/www.symantec.com\/connect\/forums\/uninstalling-endpoint-without-password<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. \n
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Symantec\\Symantec Endpoint Protection\\SMC<\/pre>\n
    Change the value for SmcGuiHasPassword from 1 to 0<\/p>\n
    From: http:\/\/www.symantec.com\/connect\/forums\/uninstalling-endpoint-without-password<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. \n
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Symantec\\Symantec Endpoint Protection\\SMC<\/pre>\n
    delete the smcexit key<\/p>\n
    From http:\/\/www.symantec.com\/connect\/articles\/how-uninstall-symantec-endpoint-client-if-uninstall-password-place<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. \n
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Symantec\\Symantec Endpoint Protection\\SMC<\/pre>\n
    look for smcinstdata key; delete it<\/p>\n
    From http:\/\/www.symantec.com\/connect\/articles\/how-uninstall-symantec-endpoint-client-if-uninstall-password-place<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Manually change the Policy:\u00a0 Click HELP AND SUPPORT -> TROUBLESHOOT -> Export the Policy<\/strong> from Policy Profile <\/strong><\/strong>to an .xml file.
    \nEdit the .xml<\/strong> file to set<\/p>\n
    AdminPassword ExitNeedPassword, UINeedPassword, ImportExportNeedPassword, UninstallNeedPassword<\/pre>\n
    Set the Value as “0”.\u00a0 Re-import.<\/p>\n
    from here: http:\/\/www.symantec.com\/connect\/blogs\/remove-smc-password-without-applying-policy-server<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. cmd line smc -stop<\/code> to stop the service after removing password<\/li>\n
  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\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n
    –<\/center><\/p>\n
    \n
    References:<\/h2>\n
    Methods for uninstalling Symantec Endpoint Protection<\/a><\/h1>\n