Uninstall the Persistent Executables from McAfee on Windows

[electrify]

This may not apply to you but it seems that by default Windows 8.1 comes with McAfee Antivirus. After using the trial period and you don't want to keep the McAfee Antivirus on your system then you should uninstall using Programs & Settings > Remove or alter a program.

After uninstaling the McAfee Antivirus, there will be 3 persistent executables that cannot be delete from the system. Attempting to close this executable with task manager or Process Explorer will not work.

The persistent executables are:
mfemms.exe
mfevtps.exe
mfefire.exe

The solution is create a registry key to block them from auto starting with the system and delete them manually. This can be done automatically with the little batch available below.

Download & Run the batch file available below with administrative privileges.

How to:
1) Run the Batch and the first time it run it will create the registry keys.
2) Reboot the computer (To stop the persistent executables)
3) Run the Batch again to remove the files from the system.
4) That's all

[hackerman1]

....it seems that by default Windows 8.1 comes with McAfee Antivirus....

No, it doesn´t.
W8.1 comes with Windows Defender, which is the new name for Microsoft Security Essentials that were available for W7.

If you got McAfee with W8.1 on a new computer it has probably been added by the computer manufacturer.

[HappyAndyK]

Yes, that is what happens. Many OEMs install trialware including McAfee.

Thanks for this helpful tip, electrify.

You can also use McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool to completely uninstall their products.
Link here: AntiVirus Removal Tools & Uninstallers for AntiVirus programs

[jithendran]

Hi, I am unable to find the batch file over here.. Kindly let me know where it is..