Switch Antivirus Software Brands

Switch Antivirus Software Brands

Primarily, the reason for this is that there may be a period of time during which your old antivirus software isn’t running and the new antivirus software isn’t yet fully functional. Here’s how the gap in protection can take place. You may need to remove your old antivirus program before upgrading or installing the new one.

When you remove your old antivirus program, you are temporarily going without that protection on your computer, until you have installed and configured the new antivirus program.

Here are some guidelines to consider when upgrading or switching brands:

1.      Read the instructions for both your old antivirus and the new antivirus program before you begin.

2.      Keep the old virus software running, if possible.

3.      Back up your critical data files.

4.      Disconnect from the Internet if you are able to do so during the installation or upgrade; stay that way until you’re sure the new antivirus software is working properly.

5.      Close all other programs during the install or upgrade until you are sure that the new antivirus program is working.

6.      Install critical security patches before you begin. If you do install one or more patches, I advise you to run your computer for at least several hours, if not a day or two, before also changing out your antivirus software.

7.      Reboot before you begin the removal or upgrade process.

Start with a clean-running system! This is especially important on the older versions of Windows that —rumor has it — are equipped with the fabled “time to crash!” feature.