To install McAfee on Windows 10, go to mcafee.com, sign in to your McAfee account, and open My Account. Choose this PC, click Download, then open the installer and follow the prompts. If you bought McAfee as a retail card or code, first go to mcafee.com/activate and enter the activation code to link it to your account. If McAfee came preinstalled on a new PC, you may only need to open it and activate it.
Only download McAfee from McAfee’s own website or a McAfee email you were expecting. Here’s the full process, what to do before you install, and how to fix common installation problems.
Before you install McAfee
- Check your subscription. You need an active McAfee subscription with a device slot available. Some subscriptions cover one PC, while others cover several devices.
- Remove other antivirus software. Running two antivirus programs can cause conflicts. Uninstall the old one in Settings > Apps > Apps & features and restart. You don’t need to remove Microsoft Defender. It turns off its real-time protection automatically when McAfee is installed.
- Update Windows. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any updates.
- Use an administrator account. You need admin rights to install security software.
How to install McAfee on Windows 10
- Open a web browser and go to mcafee.com.
- Click Sign in (or My Account) and sign in with the email address you used to buy McAfee.
- Go to your account page. Under your subscription, choose to add or protect a device, and select This PC or Windows.
- Click Download and accept the license agreement if asked.
- Open the downloaded installer from your Downloads folder or the browser’s download list.
- If User Account Control asks whether to allow the app to make changes, click Yes.
- Follow the steps on screen. The install usually takes a few minutes, depending on your internet speed.
- Restart your computer if McAfee asks you to.
When it’s done, McAfee opens and shows your protection status. It should say you’re protected. Let it run its first update, then run a full scan.
How to activate a McAfee retail card or product key
- Go to mcafee.com/activate.
- Enter the activation code from the card, box, or email receipt.
- Sign in to your McAfee account, or create one.
- Follow the prompts to download and install, as above.
Keep your activation code somewhere safe until the subscription is linked to your account.
If McAfee came with your computer
Many new PCs include a McAfee trial. Look for McAfee in the Start menu or the system tray near the clock. Open it and follow the prompts to activate the trial or enter a paid subscription. If you don’t want it, see how to remove McAfee from Windows 10. Windows 10 includes Microsoft Defender, which gives you free built-in protection.
How to install McAfee on another computer
- Sign in to your McAfee account on the other computer and download the installer there.
- Or, from your account on the first computer, choose to send a download link by email or text, then open the link on the other device.
Each installation uses one device slot. To free one up, remove an old device from your account’s device list.
McAfee won’t install? Try these fixes
- Restart and try again. A pending Windows update or restart can block the installer.
- Remove old security software completely. Some antivirus makers provide a removal tool for leftovers the normal uninstall misses.
- Check your date and time. An incorrect clock can cause download or activation errors. Go to Settings > Time & Language and turn on Set time automatically.
- Download the installer again. The file may not have downloaded completely.
- Use McAfee’s support tools. McAfee offers a pre-install and removal tool on its support site that clears leftover files before reinstalling. Use only the version from McAfee’s official site.
- Contact McAfee support through the support page on mcafee.com if an error keeps appearing.
Watch out for McAfee scams
Scammers often send fake emails, texts, or pop-ups that say your McAfee subscription has expired or your PC is infected. They may ask you to call a number, pay, or install remote access software. McAfee won’t ask you to do those things through a pop-up. Check your subscription by typing mcafee.com into your browser yourself. If you’re getting a lot of McAfee alerts, see how to stop McAfee pop-ups on Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Is McAfee free on Windows 10?
No. McAfee requires a paid subscription after any free trial ends. Microsoft Defender is the free antivirus built into Windows 10.
Do I need to turn off Windows Defender before installing McAfee?
No. Windows turns off Defender’s real-time scanning automatically when McAfee is active, and turns it back on if McAfee is removed.
How long does McAfee take to install?
Usually 5 to 15 minutes, including the download.
Can I install McAfee without an account?
No. McAfee links each subscription and device to an account, so you need to sign in or create one.
Matthew Burleigh is the head writer at solveyourtech.com, where he covers topics like the iPhone, Microsoft Office, and Google apps. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has over 15 years of IT experience.
He has been writing online since 2008 and has published thousands of articles that have been read millions of times.