The trial period of Norton has expired on wife'* new laptop. I'd like to get rid of Norton and put something less bulky on there but I've heard that getting Norton to leave voluntarily is a PITA. Anyone have any experience with this before I get into it?

Yup.

First, go to the windows remove/install programs in the control panel, and get rid of Norton that way.

Afterwards, go into your file directory and remove all the folders that pertain to Norton.

Finally, go into your startup using msconfig and remove the Norton autostart crap.

actually, I would go into the registry and remove norton stuff in

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

instead of msconfig

Could it be done through msconfig?

(Don't want to be giving out false info like Pez candy y'know)

Didn't think of your solution Sonoma...probably would be the better route to take.

Thanks for the info guys.

This is for a Vista OS just in case it makes a difference.

yes, it can be but the problem with using msconfig as a final solution is you get the popup saying you are starting in special config mode and it brings up msconfig again. easier to just take it out of the registry.

Norton provides removal instructions, and often an automated program to remove their products. This is one page under their tech support area regarding removal of some of their products.
Norton Removal

If that works it would save me some agrivation, thanks.

i reccomend AVG antivirus, and Zonealarm for a firewall

I second that recommendation. Recently switched from Norton myself.!