[KB7814] Remove third-party antivirus software from client computers using ESET PROTECT or ESET PROTECT On-Prem

Issue

• third-party antivirus software, causing conflicts with ESET endpoint applications
• protection initialization issues, high CPU or memory usage, degraded system performance, network connectivity problems, update or activation failures, file scanning conflicts, application instability, or unexpected system crashes on client computers
• eliminate these issues by removing such applications from client machines using a custom policy in ESET PROTECT or ESET PROTECT On-Prem

Solution

1. Open the ESET PROTECT Web Console.

2. Create a policy in ESET PROTECT or ESET PROTECT On-Prem.

3. Type a name for the new policy in the Name field. Optionally, type a description in the Description field.

   

4. Click Settings and select ESET Management Agent from the drop-down menu. Expand Advanced Settings, scroll down to the Operating System section and click the toggle next to Report non-ESET-installed applications to enable it.

   

5. Assign a Policy in ESET PROTECT or ESET PROTECT On-Prem.

6. Click Finish to save the policy. Agents running on client computers will receive the new policy the next time they check in (the default check-in interval is 20 minutes). Alternatively, you can send a wake-up call to client computers so they receive the changes sooner.

   

7. Click Reports → Computers, scroll down to the Installed applications report, click the gear icon and then click Generate now.

   Creating a new report template in ESET PROTECT or ESET PROTECT On-Prem

   If you do not have report templates in your home group, continue with one of these steps:

   • Create a new report template
   • Request your administrator to duplicate the report template for your access

   

8. Verify that the third-party antivirus program and version you want to remove are listed in the report.

9. Create or edit a task in ESET PROTECT or ESET PROTECT On-Prem.

10. Type a name for the new task in the Name field. From the Task drop-down menu, select Software Uninstall.

    

11. Click Settings and select Third-party antivirus software (Built with OPSWAT). Click Finish.

    

12. Create a trigger to execute the task and select the target devices.