Windows won't boot after installing a McAfee security suite

Problem

After installing a McAfee security suite, the system will no longer load Windows after the first reboot.

Solution

If you are already experiencing this issue you can recover your computer using a recent Restore Point (only required if the system will not complete booting).

If you have already recovered the computer, or have not yet installed and want to proactively remove the risk of having this issue, follow the steps below:

CAUTION: This article contains information about opening or modifying the registry.

• The following information is intended for System Administrators. Registry modifications are irreversible and could cause system failure if done incorrectly.
• Before proceeding, McAfee strongly recommends backing up your registry and understanding the restore process.
• Do not run a .REG file that is not confirmed to be a genuine registry import file.

Begin a normal installation of your McAfee software. Follow all the prompts until you are asked to restart your computer. Cancel the restart. You must not restart your computer until the steps below are completed, or you may have this issue.

1. Double-click the M icon in your taskbar.
2. Click Navigation.
3. Click General Settings and Alerts.
4. Open the Access Protection drawer.
5. Remove the check beside Use Access Protection.
6. Click Apply.
7. Click Start, Run, and type regedit.exe.
8. Click OK.
9. Navigate to the registry key below:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\​CurrentControlSet\services\​mfeavfk\ImagePath
    
10. Double-click to change the value of 'ImagePath' from system32\drivers\mfeavfk.​sys to:
    
    C:\windows\system32\drivers\​mfeavfk.sys
     
11. Navigate to the registry key below:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\​CurrentControlSet\services\​mfefirek\
     
12. Double-click to change the value of 'ImagePath' from system32\drivers\​mfefirek.sys to:
    
    c:\windows\system32\drivers\​mfefirek.sys
13. Restart your computer.
14. After your computer restarts you can replace the check beside Use Access Protection following steps 2-7 above.