University of Delaware

How to Install McAfee for Windows


The University of Delaware has obtained a site license for McAfee anti-virus software. The license permits the use of this software on all University-owned computers and on all computers owned by employees and students of the University.


  1. Read or print these instructions before you begin to install the McAfee Anti-Virus program.
  2. Some programs conflict with McAfee VirusScan. If your computer has other anti-virus programs, you should remove those programs before installing the UD-customized version of McAfee VirusScan. Click here for directions.

  3. Copy the anti-virus installation software to your PC.

    Install VirusScan for Windows

  4. If you use the Internet Explorer browser, you will see a screen similar to the following:

    Save File Dialog Box

    If you use the Mozilla browser, you will see a screen similar to the following:

    save File Dialog Box

  5. Click Save or Save it to disk depending on the browser you use.
  6. If necessary, click OK.
  7. The Save As dialog box will appear, which looks similar to the following:

  8. We suggest that you save the file on your computer's desktop. If you need to navigate to the desktop, click on the downward triangle in the Save in box and highlight the Desktop icon. Click Save.
  9. If you see a dialog box that says Download complete, click the Close button if necessary. (Some web browsers close this window automatically.)

  10. After the file has been successfully downloaded, close your web browser and look for the following icon on your desktop. 

    vscan8.exe Icon  

  11. Double-click the icon. 
  12. When Winzip Self-Extractor finishes, it will automatically install the VirusScan program.
  13. When you see the message McAfee VirusScan Setup completed successfully, click OK.                                                                            
  14. You will see a batch screen letting you know McAfee is installing and the virus definitions are installing.                                                    
  15. In order to complete the installation, you will need to reboot your computer. Hit any key when asked to Press any key to continue.
  16. The computer will restart.
  17. You must run a manual scan after installation.
  18. You may delete the vscan85.exe icon from your desktop.

After Installation

NOTE
You must run a manual scan after installation to check for viruses.

After you have installed the UD version of VirusScan, your computer will be scanned for viruses every Wednesday, if your computer is on at about noon. To see the results of automatic scans, you can view the McAfee log files.

In the future, if you need to run Scandisk or Disk Defragmenter after you have installed the McAfee anti-virus software, you'll need to disable VShield before running these programs.

VShield may also interfere with the installation process for some programs. Refer to individual program documentation before installing any new software. If the documentation indicates that resident virus-checking should be off during the installation, follow the previous directions for disabling VShield. After you have installed the other software, make sure that you re-enable VShield.


Automatic Updates to UD-Licensed McAfee Software

With the UD-customized version of McAfee's VirusScan software, your computer will automatically check for updates when the software first senses an Internet connection (at system start-up for computers with a high-speed connections; upon dialing into UD or another ISP for computers with a phone modem). In addition, if your system is on and connected, it will check for updates daily at 3:00 p.m.

If you need to update McAfee's software manually, follow the directions in the McAfee-provided help files.