Just me but I'd prefer to let the OS remove a program and then after the reboot, I'd search anything McAfee (*mcafee*.*), delete and then do the new install.
I've got nothing against McAfee, but these are 2 different programs so a remove and install should be 2 different actions.
Actually, they are BOTH Mcafee, and the installer actually calls the correct program's uninstaller and runs it to uninstall ANY prior security program. If you have Norton, the Mcafee installer uses the Norton uninstaller info found in the registry, as well as control panel, to perform the uninstall, as well as any other security program. Since the uninstall of security software requires a reboot, the system requests a reboot, and then upon restart, completes running the installer and installs Mcafee.,
I did qualify my post as a preference. Just because both programs are McAfee, it doesn't mean they're the same program. I would not want McAfee deciding what stays on my drive or which programs to remove or what remains in the Registry. I decide.
I understand, the mcafee program references the registry to find the program's uninstaller, and uses the uninstaller specific to the security program being removed, to properly uninstall it. The Cox Security suite doesn't actually remove or uninstall other programs, it uses that program's specific uninstaller to perform that task.
Why would I want McAfee to remove my Norton program?
