Cancel Trend Micro 2026: How to Stop Auto-Renewal and Uninstall Completely

Updated 2026-03-02 • 6 min read

💻 Pre-installed trap: Trend Micro comes bundled on many HP, Dell, Lenovo, and ASUS laptops with a "free trial." The trial auto-converts to a paid subscription ($39.95-79.95/year). Many people pay for years without realizing their new laptop enrolled them.

How to Cancel Trend Micro Auto-Renewal

Go to account.trendmicro.com
Sign in (or create an account if you never registered — use the email from your purchase)
Go to Subscription
Click Turn off auto-renewal
Confirm the change

Alternative: Contact Support

Phone: 1-888-762-8736
Chat: esupport.trendmicro.com
Request cancellation and refund (30-day money-back guarantee)

Fully Uninstall Trend Micro

Trend Micro can be stubborn to remove. Here's the thorough method:

First try: Settings → Apps → Trend Micro → Uninstall
If that fails, download the Trend Micro Diagnostic Toolkit from their website
Run the toolkit and select Uninstall
Restart your computer
Verify Windows Defender is active: Settings → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection

The Bloatware Pipeline

PC manufacturers get paid to pre-install antivirus trials. This is how the cycle works:

PC maker installs trial → gets $2-5 per install from AV company
Trial nags you constantly → "Your protection is expiring!"
You click "renew" → $40-80/year subscription begins
Auto-renewal enabled → charges annually forever
Windows Defender was there all along → turned off by the trial install

New PC Setup: Remove Bloatware First

When you get a new PC, before doing anything else:

Uninstall all pre-installed antivirus trials (Trend Micro, McAfee, Norton)
Uninstall other bloatware (WildTangent Games, misc. utilities)
Verify Windows Defender is enabled and up to date
Install uBlock Origin in your browser
Set up Windows Hello or a password manager

This takes 10 minutes and saves you from years of unnecessary antivirus payments.

🖥️ Pre-installed software trials are designed to become forgotten subscriptions. Antivirus, Office trials, cloud backup trials — new PCs can set up 3-4 auto-renewing subscriptions before you even browse the web. Upload your bank statement to catch them all.

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Quick Cancel Guide: Trend Micro

Direct cancel link + step-by-step instructions