360 Total Security Uninstall

Updated: June 4, 2026 · Full review · Alternatives · Antivirus & Security

How to Remove 360 Total Security from Windows

You'll want to uninstall 360 Total Security through Windows' built-in control panel or use the software's own removal tool—both work, but one is cleaner than the other. Here's exactly how to do it without leaving junk files behind.

Standard Uninstall via Control Panel

Using Programs and Features (Windows 10/11)

The safest way to remove the software starts with Windows itself. Open Settings, head to Apps > Apps & features, then scroll down until you find the entry. Click it once, and you'll see an Uninstall button—click that and confirm the prompt.

This method works on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11. The installer will walk you through a quick removal wizard.

The Command Line Shortcut

If you want to skip the Settings menus entirely, press Win + R, type `appwiz.cpl`, and hit Enter. The old Programs and Features window opens directly. Find it in the list, right-click, and select Uninstall. Faster than digging through Settings.

Using the Built-in Removal Tool

360 antivirus free includes its own uninstaller that does a more thorough job than Windows alone. Look inside the installation folder (usually `C:\Program Files\360\Total Security` on your PC) for an `Uninstall.exe` file. Double-clicking it launches a dedicated removal wizard that clears out registry entries and cached files more aggressively.

This matters because the standard Windows uninstall sometimes leaves behind configuration files. The proprietary tool catches those.

360 total security uninstall: What Gets Left Behind

Even after removing the software, you might find leftover folders in `C:\ProgramData\360` or `C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\360`. These are harmless but can be deleted manually if you want a completely clean slate. Just don't delete them while any 360 processes are running.

Pro Tip: Before uninstalling, open Task Manager and check if any 360 processes are still active (look for `360sd.exe` or similar). Kill them first, otherwise the uninstall can fail silently or leave files locked.

360 total security uninstall Process Troubleshooting

If the removal stalls or won't complete, restart your PC in Safe Mode and try again. The antivirus won't load on startup, which frees up system resources and removes file locks that block deletion.

Still stuck? The dedicated removal utility handles stubborn installations better than the standard method. Download and run that if the normal process fails.

Checking if Real-Time Protection Actually Stopped

One gotcha: sometimes the UI closes but the real-time protection daemon lingers in the background. Open Task Manager's Details tab and search for any 360-related processes. None should be running after uninstall. If they are, use the command line to force-kill them: `taskkill /IM 360sd.exe /F`.

When You Might Need Alternatives

If you're removing 360 because it was slowing down your PC, that's worth considering—AVG offers similar free antivirus protection without the system optimization bloat that sometimes causes performance hiccups. Want to clean up malware beforehand? AdwCleaner specializes in unwanted program removal and pairs well with any antivirus.

Is 360 Security Software Worth Reinstalling?

The 360 Total Security download is completely free and includes multiple scanning engines for Windows systems. Performance overhead is lighter than it used to be in earlier versions. If you're uninstalling because of specific issues—not compatibility—reinstalling version 11.0.0.1172 might resolve them.

But if you're moving on, the uninstall process is straightforward. Use the built-in tool for the cleanest removal, restart, and you're done. No hassle, no residual files eating disk space.