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I was trying to get rid if remains from McAfee and after everything failed I came across this: https://m.majorgeeks.com/files/details/unlocker.html

So. I tried the software. I unlocked the services and set up their folders for deletion after reboot.

And, it worked. But I probably unlocked more than was necessary and the Windows was suddenly blocking my administrator right, refusing updates. I was denied from accessing basic stuff like sevices.msc and the system even rejected to do online fix because it was supposedly not “trustworthy anymore”. I was accused of modifying system files or something. Sfc /scannow also found out some system corruption which it wasn’t able to fix.

Back to the question. Did I most likely just messed up or is it possible that unlocking services can brick your PC?

Dom
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1 Answers1

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Using Unlocker by itself on Windows files is fine, as long as you don't monkey with sensitive files.

Deleting Windows files without a total and advanced understanding of what you're doing is absolutely to be avoided, as the consequences are simply unpredictable.

You should rather seek to remove components via the Windows tools, such as by uninstalling from Programs and Features, stopping services via the Services applet, using uninstallers, or searching for a removal program/script on the internet.

Specifically for McAfee, you would have found by search the article How to remove McAfee products from a Windows PC.
This article would have pointed you to the McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool (MCPR).

For most products, if you wish to avoid leftovers, use an uninstaller product that will do for you the search for them in a safe manner. My favorite is Revo Uninstaller Free.

harrymc
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