Windows 7: Norton Internet Security 2012 expires soon...

I got a new copy of NIS 2012 for free after a rebate. Do I need to uninstall my current and install my new copy? Or is there a way I can just enter my new product key?
Thanks

Do yourself a favor, Uninstall Norton Internet Security 2012 and install Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

No need to uninstall. Just wait until the day before your current license expires and click on renew and it should give you a choice to enter your new key. The latest version is 19.8.0.14 and if you have been doing Live Updates you should have that version. Be careful as Norton has released version 20.x.x.x which is NIS 2013 and is very buggy. The Keys are for NIS and it does not matter what version it is the Keys will work.

Jim

OK, thanks to you guys! I have my license expiring tomorrow...

OK, something that doesn't make sense is that you can buy a new version of Norton at Staples for around $40 or less when it's on sale, and that comes with 1 year of definition updates. However, if you go to renew your subscription for an existing product, it's around $70.

You can find coupon codes online for the renewal, but not always.

I guess they figure that most people are too lazy to uninstall/reinstall the AV & will shell out the extra $$$$$$$.

I got my last 2 copies for Free with rebates. The keys are good for one year from 1st install and you get free upgrades to the newest versions.

Jim

Personally, I wouldn't recommend staying with Norton, it is so wide spread that many malware programs are targeted to overcome Norton 2012, therefore I would recommend as said before, uninstalling Norton after the expiry and then installing MSE (link in my signature); it's free and light-weight.

norton antivirus (not IS) is more light weight than mse. i use norton antivirus and mse (mse on more pcs at home than norton because its free) but i can feel that pc with norton is generally faster (same specs) altought the difference is very hard to notice (on decent hardware) in everyday use so not much point in arguing about that.. norton is not what it was 4-5 years before its light weight and fast.

yes its not free and its crazy that to renew norton is expensive but you can buy cheap (or get free with rebates etc) in other places.

you are talking about widespread of antivirus as a risk.. and recommend MSE.
MSE is free and often recommended so it will become widespread too what then?
move to some not well know AV that only few users use?

There are a number of well regarded FREE av apps. I've used AVG, Avast, MSE at various times. I've been running Avast for a couple of years and I'm fairly happy with it - no bug on me!

I haven't tried Trend Micro - I think it's free or has a free version.

Anyway, pick your poison - you don't have to pay for it though (rebates for commercial products count too

So after a decade or more of using NIS without a single piece of malware I should be expecting some shortly?