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Why you should disable McAfee before updating the Windows

2 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Experienced users recommend switchingMcAfeeoff before upgrading to Windows 10, in order to avoid software corruption issues. Check out this guide to learn more about this problem.

After switching to Windows 10, I never bothered to install another third-party antivirus since it seemed to me thatWindows Updateis doing its job pretty well.

But this doesn’t mean you should do the same thing – if you’re a loyal user of certain antivirus software onWindows 10, such as McAfee, then you should keep on using it.

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Why is McAfee interfering with the Windows update?

According to some power users inMcAfeeforums, before updating to Windows 10, or for that matter, it is advised that you uninstall or at least disableMcAfee.

This should be done in order to avoid possible corruption of the software, and possibleMcAfee conflict with Windows 10messages.

Of course, this is a safety tip and it doesn’t mean that if you don’t disable or uninstall McAfee prior to the Windows 10, updates, you will definitely corrupt your antivirus.

It could happen for some, though. A moderator fromMcAfeesupport forums said the following:

Well, the advice is only as a precaution and is the same advice – at least disable it – we give to anyone upgrading anything or installing service packs for instance.  As long as SecurityCenter shows ‘green’ and says it is protecting, then you are fine.

As a quick reminder, this problem affected many Windows 10 Anniversary Update users soon after they installed this OS version.

Unfortunately, even a few years later, theWindows 10 update needs your attention McAfeeissue persists. Quite a few Windows 10 April Update users confirmed this piece of information.

Keep in mind that not allMcAfeesecurity software solutions are compatible with the latest Windows 10 OS versions. For more information about compatibility withMcAfeeproducts, go toMcAfee’s support page.

Before you hit the update button, make sure that your currentMcAfeeproduct supports the Windows 10 version that you’re planning to install.

So, you better stick to this tip just to make sure you don’t get into any unpleasant situations. Another way to avoid unpleasant situations is by checking thislist of the best antivirus software with lifetime license.

Are you usingMcAfeein Windows 10, or you are sticking with another antivirus? And if so, then what are its advantages? Let us know by leaving your comment below.

More about the topics:antivirus errors,McAfee

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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