Endpoint Protection (SEP) 14.2 install fails with the install setting "Automatically uninstall existing third-party security software" selected.

Products

• Endpoint Protection

Issue/Introduction

 Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) 14.2 install fails with the install setting "Automatically uninstall existing third-party security software" selected.

3rd Party Application Removal failed while detecting 3rd party security software.

 

Other symptoms:

• setup.exe creates a new SEP_Appremover.log in the temp folder but does not create a new sep_inst.log file in the temp folder
• MsiInstaller does not log a new event in the Application Log of Windows Event Viewer

Cause

On February 1st, 2020 a component related to the Third Party Security Software Removal feature became deprecated, which prevents its usage on all existing in-field versions that use this feature.

Resolution

This issue is fixed in Symantec Endpoint Protection 14.3. For information on how to obtain the latest build of Symantec Endpoint Protection, see Download the latest version of Symantec software here.


If you are unable to upgrade to 14.3 at this time please continue to use the TPAR tool listed below.

For customers that require a utility that can remove 3rd party security software, we are providing a copy of Third Party Application Remover (TPAR) and a readme.txt on its usage. The tool and readme are attached to this article.

Going forward, we will address the built-in feature with an update to AppRemover. This is targeted to occur with our upcoming 14.3 release.

If you do not require a 3rd Party application uninstaller please use the following workarounds.

 

Workaround for SEP

Export a new installation package from the SEPM with the Client Install setting "Automatically uninstall existing third-party security software" option disabled.  Select "Do not uninstall existing security software".

 

Workaround for SES

Export a new package from the SES portal. Select Advanced Options and select "Do not uninstall existing security software".