Uninstalling Symantec Endpoint Protection with the CleanWipe utility

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You can use several methods to uninstall the Symantec Endpoint Protection product components, such as through the Windows Control Panel. If these common methods fail, you can use the CleanWipe utility.

Warning:

Symantec Technical Support does not recommend using CleanWipe the first time you have uninstallation trouble. You should only use CleanWipe as a last resort when the usual uninstallation methods are unsuccessful.

You should always use the latest version of CleanWipe to remove Symantec Endpoint Protection. CleanWipe can remove older installations of Symantec Endpoint Protection. However, you should not use an older version of CleanWipe to remove a newer version of Symantec Endpoint Protection. This action can have unexpected results.

Note:

CleanWipe removes security software installations of the Symantec enterprise product line, such as Symantec Endpoint Protection. To remove Symantec consumer products under the Norton brand, see:

Download and run the Norton Remove and Reinstall tool

As of 14, you can also incorporate CleanWipe functionality directly into the Symantec Endpoint Protection client package. You can enable this option with client installation settings. For more information, see About the Symantec Endpoint Protection client preinstall removal feature.

If you need help with CleanWipe, you can contact Technical Support directly.

To download CleanWipe

  1. Download the .zip file that is attached to this article, under Download Files.
  2. Extract the contents of the .zip file.

Alternately, CleanWipe is included on the full installation file for Symantec Endpoint Protection, in the Tools folder. For instructions on how to download the full installation file, see the article Download the latest version of Symantec software.

You must have an active support contract to download the full installation file.

To download CleanWipe from MySymantec, use the following guide:

Getting Started with MySymantec

To uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection with the CleanWipe utility

  1. Copy the folder that contains Cleanwipe.exe to the computer on which you want to run it.
  2. Double-click Cleanwipe.exe, and then click Next.
  3. Accept the license agreement, and then click Next.
  4. Select the Symantec products you want to remove, and then click Next twice.
  5. When the tool finishes running, you may be prompted to restart the computer.

    After the computer restarts, CleanWipe reopens and continues to run.

  6. Click Next.
  7. Click Finish.

    The Symantec products you selected are now uninstalled.

For information on recommended uninstallation methods, see:

Uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection

About Symantec Endpoint Protection client installation failures and CleanWipe

Legal notice

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Product version: 14.x

Documentation version: 3

This document was last updated on: February 18, 2020

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