How to disable McAffee so you can install software.
Do you happen to use McAffee as a virus scanner? Have you ever tried to install software only to have it block you and not let you install the software that you want/need?
Here is a suggestion on how to disable the product, as its not that easy to do so you can install the software.
- Right click on the shield in the bottom right hand corner and choose Disable On-Access Scan, this will disable the “Real-time scanner”
- Enable the On-Access Scan when you are completed.
If the Disable On-Access Scan is grayed out then you will need these following steps to unlock the option.
- Right click on the shield in the bottom right hand corner and choose Virus Scan Console
- Double click the Access Protection task symbolized with a traffic light, it’s chosen by default
- Uncheck the box at the bottom labeled “Prevent McAfee Services from Being Stopped” OK to close the properties box
- You can choose to disable the On-Access Scanner one of two ways
- While in the Virus Scan Console choose the On-Access Scanner and click the Stop button at the top
- Or, close the Virus Scan Console box and right click on the shield in the bottom right hand corner and choose Disable On-Access Scan
- Enable the On-Access Scan when you are completed.
*Remember that you might need to be logged in as the administrator in order to install the software, and/or to disable McAfee.
McAffee is not my first choice in virus scanners, as it is rather bloated, and hogs a bunch of system resources. Personally, I dislike it, and try to not use it. However a lot of companies have it installed, so I thought I would share this with you.


















