McAfee, LLC · paid
McAfee LiveSafe
The McAfee suite most often found pre-installed on US retail PCs.
McAfee LiveSafe is the suite many US buyers meet first, because it has long been bundled with new retail laptops and desktops. It combines McAfee's antivirus engine with a firewall, web protection, a password manager and identity-oriented extras.
McAfee has been consolidating its consumer range around Total Protection and McAfee+, so LiveSafe is increasingly an OEM and renewal product rather than something you buy fresh from the website.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-09
Developer Offer + 1 Extra Month
Current offer published by the software developer at checkout
+ 1 extra month of coverage provided by VirusGuardHub
- Valid:
- Ongoing while the developer promotion remains live
- Eligibility:
- New subscriptions purchased through the link on this page, for customers in the United States.
- Available in:
- United States
- Terms:
- The extra month is supplied by VirusGuardHub and applied after your purchase is confirmed. The developer sets the base price, currency, renewal terms and refund window.
Offer last verified on . Promotions are set by the developer and can change without notice.
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At a glance
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Free version
- None — pre-installed copies are trials.
- Trial
- OEM trials are typically 30 days or a few months, set by the PC manufacturer's agreement.
- Paid plans
- Annual subscription, usually renewed directly with McAfee.
Who it is for
Good fit
- • Owners of PCs that shipped with LiveSafe
- • Users renewing an existing LiveSafe licence
Not a fit
- • New buyers, who will usually be routed to Total Protection or McAfee+
Security features
| Real-time protection | Included |
|---|---|
| Malware scanning | Included |
| Ransomware protection | Included |
| Anti-phishing | Included |
| Web protection | Included |
| Email scanning | Included |
| Trojan detection | Included |
| Spyware detection | Included |
| Firewall | Included |
| VPN included | Included |
| Password manager | Included |
| Identity monitoring | Included |
| Parental controls | Included |
| PC cleanup tools | Not included |
- • Exact module list depends on the OEM bundle and subscription age.
Performance and privacy
Same engine footprint as the wider McAfee family.
Identity features require personal data submission.
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Already installed on many US PCs
- + High device coverage
- + Straightforward activation
Cons
- − Being phased into other product names
- − Aggressive renewal reminders
Installation and removal
How to install
- 1. Use the pre-installed app and activate your licence.
- 2. If reinstalling, download only from your McAfee account.
How to uninstall
- 1. Uninstall from Windows Settings.
- 2. Run the MCPR removal tool if remnants remain.
Platform notes
Windows: Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Android: Covered through McAfee Mobile Security.
macOS: Supported.
ChromeOS: Browser and VPN level coverage only.
Frequently asked questions
- Is McAfee LiveSafe still sold?
- It is largely an OEM and renewal product now; McAfee's public storefront focuses on Total Protection and McAfee+.
- Do I need to remove LiveSafe before installing another antivirus?
- Yes. Run MCPR and reboot before installing a different real-time product.
Sources
- McAfee support