Quite a few companies do that these days. There’s usually a ‘not very obvious’ option to opt out of automatic renewal when buying initially. They can be opted out of afterwards, usually in the account details …but it does depend on you being aware that automatic renewal is in place.
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Automatic renewal was not part of my subscription. That is why they have been hounding me for 2 months to renew.
Fraudulent, I say.
I hav e “Avast” free version and also Malwarebytes for extra prevention against malware
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If you go to the Mcafee web site you can download an app that completely removes their application and all its pop ups.
https://www.mcafee.com/support/s/article/000001616?language=en_US
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Apart from Windows Security/Defender, I use Chrome browser which has its own security built in, it encrypts passwords and tells you when you’ve clicked on an iffy link. And my emails though BT are run though Norton their end.
I always do windows updates asap, and chrome updates asap.
It must be nearly ten years now since I gave up on the Avira/Avast type free AV, and 20 years since subscribing to the Norton/McAfee type £ AV, and everything runs fast and smooth.
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Thanks. I might try that if & when I think it might be slowing the machine down. But nowaday I tend to just get a new one before anything starts slowing.
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Dood
We scapped using BT their internet speed was near impossible and no chance of them providing fibre optices to the houses in the near or far distant future. So private companies have moved in to fill the gap. the local exchange is not even planned for an upgrade
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It must be like living in a cul de sac!
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I have experienced absolutely zero problems with W11’s built in security, but just as an extra addition, I also have Spybot S&D free version always running silently in the background.
Spybot Free Edition - Spybot Anti-Malware and Antivirus : Spybot Anti-Malware and Antivirus (safer-networking.org)
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Two anti virus programs on the same machine do slow the machine down as they tend to fight each other
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Yes, and I understand that just one can slow it also. And it can automatically disable Defender, that is probably more efficient than whatever you installed.
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My HP AIO computer came with McAfee installed. I left it in place to see if it was OK. Surprisingly, it was. No noticeable slow downs. It does OK in the AV-Comparatives and AVTEST tests too.
I uninstalled it at the end of the free period. Not because it behaved badly but because of the nags to renew it that started well before the expiry date. Just put me off it.
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McAfee have been prosecuted for their underhand AV renewal demands, when most customers did not want its services renewed. They tried it on with me when I had the audacity to remove the free version in favour of W11’s own, but they got short shrift from me and a piece of my mind. They had obviously searched deeply within that laptop or they would not have known my details and I ended up referring them to my area Trading Standards.
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The trouble with AV programs is that they need to get well into the OS in order to protect it. I think that’s why they can be so difficult to completely remove. There can still be files and Registry entries around even after using removal tools. A search using ‘Everything’ (a search utility) and RegScanner will usually find leftovers after uninstallation/removal.
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I had that deep seated problem with a freebie Norton and finally resorted in stripping the lot out and reformatting the SSD and finally reloading windoze from a disc. . well TBH, my son-in-law did that for me👍
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That’s the most thorough way. 
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I use “REVO UNINSTALLER” which clears everything out from the computer registery
I have found that it doesn’t.
depends on what setting you use, safe- moderate or advanced. which do you use?
I use advanced which works ok for me
Tried them all but still some left but I know experiences will always vary when it comes to computers. I think uninstallers remove all that is necessary so that the OS runs and doesn’t call on, or get upset by, old files and Registry entries. Just takes no notice of anything left and that is probably good enough.
I have personally found that RegScanner and ‘Everything’ will still find leftovers. Having said that, it can be dangerous to try and remove every single reference to an uninstalled security program. I once did that and the OS ran strangely afterwards. Ended up having to do a repair upgrade. A good way of putting right any user mess-ups without losing anything.
Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial | Windows 11 Forum (elevenforum.com)
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