How to Turn Off McAfee Antivirus on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / August 31, 2025

McAfee is one of the most popular antivirus programs out there, but sometimes you may want to temporarily disable or turn it off on your Windows 11 PC. Maybe you’re installing new software that keeps getting blocked, troubleshooting performance issues, or simply switching to another antivirus.

Whatever the reason, knowing how to turn off McAfee Antivirus in Windows 11 safely is important. In this guide, we’ll walk you through multiple methods—step by step—so you can control McAfee the right way without leaving your PC completely unprotected.

Why Would You Want to Turn Off McAfee Antivirus?

Before diving into the steps, let’s understand why you might need to disable McAfee in the first place.

1. Installing New Software

Sometimes antivirus programs mistake safe software for a threat (false positives), blocking installation files. Turning McAfee off temporarily fixes that.

2. Boosting Performance

On lower-end PCs, antivirus scans can slow things down. Disabling McAfee while gaming or editing videos may improve performance.

3. Switching to Another Antivirus

If you’re moving to Windows Security (Defender) or another antivirus, you’ll need to disable or uninstall McAfee first.

4. Troubleshooting System Issues

Occasionally, antivirus software conflicts with drivers or apps. Temporarily disabling McAfee helps check if it’s the culprit.

👉 Just remember: don’t keep your PC unprotected for long!

Ways to Turn Off McAfee Antivirus in Windows 11

There’s more than one way to disable McAfee. Let’s go through each method.

Method 1: Disable McAfee Real-Time Scanning (Temporarily)

This is the safest option if you just need McAfee out of the way for a short period.

Steps:

  1. Click the Start button and search for McAfee.
  2. Open McAfee LiveSafe or McAfee Security Center.
  3. In the left panel, click PC Security.
  4. Select Real-Time Scanning.
  5. Click Turn Off.
  6. Choose how long you want it off (15 minutes, 30 minutes, or until restart).

👉 This only stops McAfee from scanning files in real-time. It will automatically turn back on after the selected time or restart.

Method 2: Disable McAfee Firewall

McAfee has its own firewall that sometimes blocks apps or games from connecting to the internet.

Steps:

  1. Open the McAfee app from the Start menu.
  2. Go to PC Security → Firewall.
  3. Click Turn Off.
  4. Choose the duration (just like with real-time scanning).

👉 Use this when troubleshooting connection problems. But don’t forget—your firewall is your first line of defense against hackers!

Method 3: Turn Off McAfee from Windows Settings (Startup Apps)

If you don’t want McAfee to run when Windows 11 starts up, you can disable it in startup apps.

Steps:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Startup apps tab.
  3. Find McAfee in the list.
  4. Right-click and choose Disable.

👉 This won’t fully uninstall McAfee, but it will stop it from launching automatically.

Method 4: Stop McAfee Services (Advanced Method)

If you want more control, you can stop McAfee services using Services Manager.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Scroll down to find McAfee services (like McAfee WebAdvisor or McAfee Firewall).
  3. Right-click → Stop.
  4. Change Startup Type to Disabled if you don’t want it running again.

👉 Be careful—disabling core services can leave your PC exposed.

Method 5: Uninstall McAfee Completely

If you’re switching to another antivirus (like Windows Security), uninstalling McAfee is the best choice.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps → Installed apps.
  3. Search for McAfee.
  4. Click the three dots → Uninstall.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

👉 Pro Tip: Use the McAfee Removal Tool (MCPR) from their official website to completely wipe leftovers.

How to Check If McAfee Is Really Turned Off

After disabling McAfee, you’ll want to double-check.

  1. Open Windows Security (search from Start).
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection.
  3. If it says “No antivirus active”, McAfee is off.
  4. If you see Windows Defender active, you’re still protected.

👉 Windows Defender automatically turns on if McAfee is disabled or uninstalled, so you’re not left vulnerable.

Should You Turn Off McAfee Permanently?

That depends.

  • ✅ If you already paid for McAfee and like the extra features, keep it.
  • ✅ If you want a lightweight, free, built-in solution, Windows Security is more than enough.
  • ❌ Don’t run two antivirus programs at once—it causes conflicts.

Tips for Staying Safe After Disabling McAfee

If you decide to turn McAfee off, make sure to:

  • Enable Windows Defender (comes built-in with Windows 11).
  • Turn on Windows Firewall if McAfee’s firewall is off.
  • Keep your system updated with Windows Update.
  • Avoid shady downloads and suspicious links.

Common Issues When Turning Off McAfee

1. The Option to Turn Off Is Greyed Out

This usually happens if your PC is managed by your company. Contact IT support.

2. McAfee Keeps Turning Back On

Real-time scanning often reactivates after a restart. Use Method 3 or 4 to stop it.

3. I Can’t Uninstall McAfee

Download the McAfee Removal Tool (MCPR) from their official website and try again.

Alternatives to McAfee Antivirus

If you’re turning off McAfee for good, here are solid alternatives:

  • Windows Defender (Built-in) – Free, lightweight, works great on Windows 11.
  • Bitdefender – Excellent protection, minimal impact on performance.
  • Kaspersky – Strong malware detection, but paid.
  • Norton – Feature-rich with VPN and backup options.

Conclusion

Turning off McAfee Antivirus on Windows 11 isn’t complicated—you just need to know the right steps. Whether you’re temporarily disabling real-time scanning, stopping the firewall, or fully uninstalling McAfee, you now have multiple methods to do it safely.

Just remember one thing: never leave your PC unprotected for too long. If you decide to turn off McAfee permanently, make sure Windows Defender or another antivirus is up and running.

FAQs

1. Is it safe to turn off McAfee Antivirus?
Yes, but only temporarily. Keep another antivirus (like Windows Defender) active for protection.

2. Does Windows 11 have its own antivirus if I remove McAfee?
Yes. Windows Security (Defender) automatically activates if McAfee is uninstalled.

3. Why does McAfee keep turning back on after I disable it?
Because real-time scanning resets after a restart. Use Task Manager or uninstall it for a permanent solution.

4. What’s better: McAfee or Windows Defender?
Windows Defender is lightweight and free, while McAfee offers extra features (VPN, identity protection). It depends on your needs.

5. Can I run McAfee and Windows Defender together?
No. Running two antivirus programs causes conflicts and slows down your PC.

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