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How to uninstall McAfee VPN?

Uninstall McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN or McAfee Secure Connect, as it’s popularly known, is a product of McAfee. It is a US-based service providing VPN for devices around the globe. McAfee offers its VPN service with a desktop client bundled alongside McAfee Total Security, however, its stand-alone version is also available. If you are looking to uninstall McAfee VPN but don’t know how? Or you are encountering some errors while doing so, then well done! You have come to the right place.

Note — McAfee Secure Connect has applications for both the popular mobile platforms, Android and iOS. But it doesn’t have a desktop client for macOS. Similarly, you can’t find a dedicated app for Linux, Amazon Firestick, gaming consoles, and even routers.

Reasons to uninstall McAfee VPN

If you are reading this, then probably you don’t need a reason. McAfee secure connect offers some intuitive and appealing applications, but it is barely suitable for light usage. It is a fast VPN, but with very weak security and a highly extensive data logging policy. Nevertheless, for those of you who may or may not be on the fence, let me share some of the most common reasons users have for removing McAfee secure connect.

  • Intrusive Logging policy — One of the worst logging policy. If privacy is your main concern, then McAfee VPN does the complete opposite as It logs your:
    • IP address
    • Browsing history
    • Purchase history
    • Personal preferences
    • Hardware information
    • Network connection information
    • username/passwords
  • No kill switch — A kill switch is essential for a secure browsing experience. The lack thereof is glaring.
  • Can’t access geo-blocked content — It can’t seem to unblock geo-restricted content.
  • Very poor latency — Almost 600% increase in latency while using McAfee VPN.
  • Not macOS friendly — It doesn’t have a dedicated VPN client for macOS.
  • Limited number of servers — It has servers in only 23 locations.
  • No P2P/Torrenting — Not suitable for torrenting due to its logging policy.

The list is long, but let’s move onwards and see how to uninstall McAfee VPN.

How to remove McAfee Secure Connect VPN from Windows

There are two common methods to uninstall McAfee VPN from windows. In this guide, we will be exploring, in-depth, how to completely remove McAfee secure connect: automatically and manually.

Note — In case of manual uninstallation, do remember to find and delete the leftover files and folders to avoid unforeseen errors.

Automatically uninstall McAfee VPN from Windows

There are a ton of third-party apps that can easily uninstall any application on your Windows device. It is a highly advocated method to deal with any unwanted software. For McAfee secure connect, however, I will recommend using its official software removal tool known as the McAfee Consumer Product Removal or MCPR for short.

If you want to try some third-party application instead, I recommend — MalwareFox, HitmanPro.Alert, Emisoft, etc., among others.

  1. Visit the McAfee website and download the latest version of MCPR.
  2. Install the removal tool. Click on it to start the app.
  3. Select Next > Allow and enter Captcha
  4. then from the list select McAfee Secure Connect
  5. Click on ok and follow the instructions through the process.
  6. Now, click on done and the MCPR has uninstalled the McAfee VPN from your device.

Manually remove McAfee Secure Connect from Windows

There are a lot of ways to manually remove a program from Windows. In this guide, I will talk about the easiest ones. However, keep in mind that before uninstalling McAfee VPN, it isn’t running in the background. To ensure:

  • Go to the Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Del) and find McAfee Secure Connect (if running).
  • Select McAfee Secure Connect and click on End task.

Removing Secure Connect via native uninstaller

  1. First, locate the folder where you have installed McAfee VPN.
    • For Windows 10: Click on search and type McAfee Secure Connect, then right click and select show in folder.
    • For Windows 7 or older: Go to start menu and find McAfee Secure Connect, then right click and select show in folder.
  2. Now locate the uninstall.exe file.
  3. Double-click on the file to execute the program.
  4. Follow the instructions of the uninstall wizard to completely remove McAfee VPN.

Removing Secure Connect via Settings

For Windows 10
  1. Click on the Start menu (press the Windows key).
  2. Go to settings.
  3. From the popup menu, find and select App.
  4. Locate McAfee secure connect.
  5. Click on it and select Uninstall.
  6. Click on confirm and you’re done.
For Windows 7 or below
  1. Click on the Start menu (press the Windows keys).
  2. Find and click on control panel.
  3. From the popup, select Program & Features.
  4. Locate McAfee secure connect.
  5. Click on it and select Uninstall.
  6. Click on confirm and you’re done.

Removing Secure Connect via Start Menu

Only for Windows 10

  1. Go to the start menu.
  2. Find McAfee Secure Connect
  3. Right click on it
  4. Select Uninstall and press yes when prompted.

To remove leftover files:

  • Press Windows + R keys at a time (Click on Run from the start menu)
  • Write regedit in the box that popped up and hit enter.
  • Navigate to the registry key or press CTRL + F to open Find in Windows registry.
    • Type McAfee secure connect to find related folders.
  • Expand them one at a time and delete manually.

How to remove Safe Connect VPN from Android

McAfee VPN goes as Safe Connect VPN in the Play store. It is a well-made app. Nonetheless, if you want to uninstall the application, kindly heed the following steps for a seamless experience.

  1. Uninstall from the Home Screen directly
    • Locate the McAfee VPN app on your screen.
    • Long press it until a popup appears.
    • From the options, click on uninstall.
    • Click on yes/ok when prompted and done.
  2. Uninstall from the settings menu
    • Go to your phone settings.
    • Click on Application menu (might differ version to version)
    • Go to the list of installed apps.
    • From the list, locate Safe Connect VPN and click on it.
    • Now click on uninstall.
    • Select yes/ok if prompted.

You have successfully uninstalled McAfee VPN from your android device.

Completely uninstall Safe VPN Connect from your iOS devices

McAfee VPN or Safe VPN Connect is an iOS app. If you want to remove it from your iOS devices, please follow the below-mentioned guidelines.

  1. Find the setting menu on your iOS device.
  2. Now head to General menu and then profile.
  3. Find the Safe VPN connect icon and click on it.
  4. Tap on delete.
  5. Enter your password/pin for authentication.
  6. Go to Home screen and long press Safe VPN connect app icon.
  7. Click the ‘X‘ button. And done.

You have now successfully removed McAfee VPN from your iOS device.