Is this Norton / McAfee renewal message real? And do I need it?

Steps

1. Is it real? A genuine message comes from the program on your computer, in its own window with its normal look. A scam is an email or a web page — it appears in your browser or inbox, uses urgent language, has spelling mistakes, and wants you to click a link or call a number. When in doubt: don't click, don't call.
2. Check the truth yourself: open the Norton or McAfee program from the Start menu (not from the message) and look at its subscription status. If it says active, the message was a scam. Delete it.
3. Received a scam email saying you've been charged? You haven't. Don't ring the number to "cancel". Check your actual bank statement instead.
4. Want to cancel a real subscription? Do it on their website: sign in at my.norton.com or home.mcafee.com → Subscriptions → turn auto-renewal off. Cancel there, never through a pop-up.
5. Removing it: Settings → Apps → Installed apps → find Norton or McAfee → Uninstall. Windows Defender switches itself back on automatically. Restart afterwards.
6. Confirm you're protected: Start → Windows Security → the shield should be green with no red warnings.

If that didn't work

• If you were charged for something you didn't intend, ring your bank using the number on your card and ask for a chargeback.
• If the uninstaller refuses or the pop-ups continue after removal, the maker has a dedicated "remove tool" — that, or a visit, sorts it.