Setting up McAfee on a new Windows PC takes about 10 minutes. Whether you’re installing from a new purchase, a retail card, or moving from an old PC, this guide covers every step from downloading McAfee to running your first scan.
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Key Points
- Step 1: go to mcafee.com (or mcafee.com/activate for retail keys) and sign in or create account
- Step 2: enter your activation key if from retail card (25 characters, no spaces)
- Step 3: download the McAfee installer from My Account → My Devices → Add Device → PC
- Step 4: run the downloaded .exe file — right-click → Run as administrator
- Step 5: follow the on-screen setup wizard (takes 5-8 minutes)
- Step 6: restart your PC when prompted by the installer
- Step 7: open McAfee and run Update Now (gear icon → Automatic Updates → Update Now)
- Step 8: run a Full Scan to check your new PC is clean from the start
