How to remove avast traces from your computer. How to completely remove Avast from your computer? Disable Avast Self-Defense
Many antivirus programs protect themselves and their files from being deleted - otherwise they would be vulnerable to viruses. Avast is no exception.
We wrote about this antivirus in an article about free antiviruses, noting its various advantages. However, it also has a drawback - it is not so easy to remove.
Avast antivirus protection features
- The default settings of Avast antivirus program automatically protect against its removal. The problem is solved by disabling this protection. How to do this will be described in our first Avast removal method.
- If you try to “incorrectly” uninstall Avast, several entries with its parameters will definitely remain in the registry, which will make it impossible to install another antivirus program until the registry is cleared of mention of the Avast antivirus program, and manually removing the remnants of Avast will not be easy. To clean the registry, it is convenient to use a fairly simple CCleaner program, which removes all unnecessary entries in the registry. In addition, Avast can be completely removed directly using this program, which will be discussed in the second method.
- The question of how to disable Avast is not the easiest one also because the standard package of this program does not provide the ability to remove it, since it does not contain a file like uninstall.exe. But on the Internet you can separately download the avast uninstaller utility, reboot your computer or laptop in safe mode, run the utility and, following the instructions, perform a complete uninstall. This method will also be discussed in more detail below.
Why do you need to uninstall Avast correctly?
Firstly, if you want to replace a crooked Avast with a normally functioning version.
Secondly, if you want to install another antivirus program instead (the presence of two or more different antivirus programs on the same computer at the same time can lead to a software conflict).
Thirdly, your Avast license may expire.
Disable Avast Self-Defense
So that you later do not have to clean the registry after an unsuccessful attempt to remove Avast Internet Security in the most familiar way, by deleting the folder (why it is unsuitable for Avast, see above), you need to know how to disable the Avast self-defense module.
To do this, launch Avast and go to “Settings”.
In the window that opens, uncheck the box next to the list item “Enable avast self-defense module!”
Now Avast can be safely uninstalled through the control panel or simply from the “Program Files” folder.
If suddenly, after uninstallation, problems still arise with installing a new antivirus or a new version of Avast, you will still have to clean the registry. The CCleaner program, which will be discussed further, is suitable for this.
Uninstall Avast using CCleaner
You can also turn off Avast antivirus using a special utility. First, let's download and install free software called CCleaner - this will be our Avast removal program, which will help you not only remove the antivirus itself, but also its temporary files, clean the registry files it has changed and reminders about it in the registry.
There are other analogues, but a minority of them are paid, and most of them are not able to do everything we need.
The special avast uninstall utility (or rather, uninstaller), which needs to be downloaded separately (as already mentioned, it is not included with Avast), does its job, but after it works, it is still advisable to clean the registry with CCleaner or another cleaning program registry Therefore, one CCleaner program will be enough, which will still be useful to you in the future.
So, install CCleaner.
Let's launch.
Next, in the list on the left, select the “Service” section, look in the list for what needs to be removed (Avast! Free Antivirus), select it and click on the “uninstall” button, which is located in the main program window on the right.
We confirm everything that they write to us there.
Close the program, go to the Start menu and restart our computer.
Let's reboot. Cleaning the registry.
We launch the same utility, CCleaner, select the “Registry” section.
Click on the “Search for problems” button, then “Fix”. We do not save backup copies of changes to the registry.
We wait, reboot... and that’s it, the machine is free from Avast!
Uninstalling Avast for Windows XP,Vista,7
To do this, we will still need the CCleaner utility to clean the registry after uninstalling Avast (especially if you forgot to remove its protection before uninstalling).
We go to the “Start” menu, there we open “Control Panel”, in it we select “Uninstall programs”.
The standard Windows utility for uninstalling programs opens. It is very simple to use and easy to understand. This is what we need.
In the list that opens, select the same Avast, above the list of programs click on the “Delete/Change” button. In the next window that opens, select “Delete”, then confirm it.
Close the “Uninstall Programs” utility, open the CCleaner we already love, and clean the registry. In the left side menu, select “Registry”, and at the bottom click the “Search for problems” button. We wait. Click “Fix”.
Click "Analysis".
We wait until it finishes, click “Cleaning”, and confirm the deletion.
Reboot the computer. All! You can safely install a new antivirus.
Features of Avast removal in Windows 8
In Windows 8, unlike other Windows operating systems, there is no Start menu in the usual place for everyone.
While on the Desktop, open the right side menu and select “Options”. Select “Control Panel”.
In the “Programs” section, select “Uninstall programs”.
Actually, that's all. Hope you don't have any problems.
Many users encounter problems when uninstalling Avast antivirus from their computer, so we decided to write detailed instructions on how to remove Avast antivirus from a computer completely and correctly. Many users who installed Avast to protect their PCs from malicious software eventually have to abandon its functionality for a number of reasons.
It’s not possible to simply get rid of an antivirus program; the developers have provided for attempts to disable and even remove their product by malware and inexperienced users. Let's delve into the topic and get acquainted with all the ways to safely and correctly uninstall an application on any Windows operating system, starting with Windows 7.
Why is it important to get rid of Avast correctly?
The main reason why users want to completely remove Avast from their computer is to replace the defender with a similar program, perhaps more powerful. The fact is that remnants of the application may prevent the installation of other programs to provide your computer with the proper level of security.
For example, Avast residual files do not allow you to install Kaspersky anti-virus, giving an error message stating that another anti-virus protection is installed.
We will look at how to completely remove Avast from a computer running Windows 7; for Windows 8 (there are some features, we will talk about them later) and Windows 10 the process will look identical.
Preparing for removal - Disabling self-defense
Before you can remove Avast antivirus from your computer, you must disable the Self-Defense (SD) module. It was created to counter advanced viruses that can do this automatically by disabling and uninstalling critical components and editing entries in the system registry.
Because of this function, which increases the degree of protection of the program, many users cannot remove Avast from Windows 7 - 10. Let's talk about how to disable the self-defense of an antivirus application before uninstalling.
1 Expand the user interface through the program launch shortcut or the context menu of the tray icon (near the clock).
2 Click "Settings" bottom left.
Rice. 1 – Call “Settings” of the program
3 Go to the tab "Trouble-shooting".
Rice. 2 – Go to the “Troubleshooting” tab
4 Uncheck the box next to the option “Enable self-defense module”.
Rice. 3 – Disabling self-defense
5 We read the alert that appears, which says that if you disable the self-defense function, the risk of PC infection increases, and click "OK".
Rice. 4 – Save the settings
Self-defense is turned off, you can now remove the program using the standard Avast uninstaller, special programs or Avast removal utilities.
Uninstalling antivirus using standard Windows tools
The developers did not provide shortcuts for removing Avast using the Start utility built into the installer, so the element will help us remove the unnecessary security tool "Control Panels", which is called "Programs and Features".
1 Open the “Control Panel” and call this component if the icons are visualized as large icons.
Rice. 5 – Calling the Control Panel element
If they are grouped, click "Uninstall a program".
Rice. 6 – Alternative method
2 In the list of installed applications, select Avast Free Antivirus or Premier, right-click on the icon and select "Delete". Or select a program from the list and click "Delete" above.
Rice. 7 – Uninstall Avast
3 The next stage is waiting. The installer makes all the preparations, after which you can remove Avast from your computer.
4 When the window for installing and solving problems with the Avast distribution of your version opens, select "Delete".
Rice. 8 – Click “Delete”
5 The waiting process will take a long time, since the program will take much longer to uninstall than it took to install. Let's be patient.
Rice. 9 – Removal process
Be sure to restart your PC. Once you restart your computer, Avast will be completely erased from your system.
We use third-party removal programs
This method usually does a good job of getting rid of all the components of the protector. But it also has disadvantages. The most striking of them:
- Some Avast-related files remain on the disk;
- not all registry keys are deleted.
To remove the Avast Software folder in Program Files and all entries in the system registry, you must resort to using third-party applications. First, let's look at how to remove an antivirus, if it is not removed, with all residual data through CCleaner and Revo Uninstaller, and then using a utility created by the antivirus developers themselves.
Using an example, we will show how to remove free Avast Premier (Free), the instructions for getting rid of Internet Security will be similar.
It is better to download all offered products from official websites. We provide download links from developer sites to avoid other problems.
ADVICE. Try to download software from trusted sources and official program websites. This way you will protect yourself from virus infections and installation of third-party software without your consent.
CCleaner
The procedure for removing Avast antivirus in CCleaner is not much different from the process of erasing it using the Windows 7, Windows 8 and 10 operating systems.
2 Launch the utility for removing garbage and software from your computer and go to the section "Service".
Rice. 10 – CCleaner Interface
Rice. 11 – Removing Avast
IMPORTANT! Do not click “Delete” under any circumstances. This function will erase the registry section that contains information about uninstalling the selected object.
Rice. 12 – Confirmation
4 In the installation window, do what is in the first instructions, starting from the 4th step.
5 When finished, go to the tab "Registry" and press "Search" problems.
Rice. 13 – Cleaning the registry
CCleaner will allow you to find and erase all registry keys related to Avast.
6 Click "Correct marked" and close the program.
Rice. 14 – Removing garbage from the registry
Revo Uninstaller
Let's touch on another great way to remove Avast antivirus.
1 Download and install Revo Uninstaller from the program’s official website:
2 In the program, select our object and call the command through the context menu "Delete". You can also use the Delete button at the top of the program panel.
Rice. 15 – Uninstalling Avast using Revo Uninstaller
3 The built-in uninstaller will launch. We do everything in the first instruction, starting from the 4th iteration.
It's better not to change anything, leaving "Moderate" search for keys.
Rice. 16 – Method of searching for garbage
5 Mark all partitions and erase them from the registry by pressing the button "Further".
Rice. 17 – Getting rid of the remaining keys
6 A list of remaining files will be downloaded. Also click "Delete" and close Uninstaller with the button "Ready".
Rice. 18 – Erase folders that the uninstaller could not remove
System files are not affected, rest assured, only the files of the program being removed.
AvastClear
Now let's look at another option, using the official Avast removal utility, you can download it from the official website:
1 By right-clicking, call up the context menu, where we click "Run with administrator rights".
Rice. 19 – Running with elevated privileges
2 We agree to restart the PC in safe mode.
Rice. 20 – Click “Yes”
FOR YOUR INFORMATION. This antivirus program is not intended for Windows 8 and constantly conflicts with it: after turning on the system and starting the antivirus, the OS freezes tightly, and many users cannot get rid of the application.
In such cases, you need to start in safe mode and carry out the procedure using any of the methods shown, but using the AvastClear utility would be preferable.
Safe Mode in Windows 8 starts like this:1 Reboot the PC and immediately press the key combination Shift + F8.
2 In the window that appears, select "Diagnostics".
Rice. 24 – Specify directories and delete the program
6 Wait for the process to complete and close the window with the button "To restart a computer" to complete the uninstallation procedure.
The utility is the best tool that allows you to safely and completely remove Avast in Windows 7 – 10.
Remove Avast from PC - Easy!
We have discussed how to properly remove Avast antivirus to install another application in Windows 7 and 10, or simply get rid of it. We also drew attention to the subtleties of the process in Windows 8 and showed how to do this using the operating system and third-party utilities, including the specially created AvastClear.
We looked at how to clear the registry of debris remaining during the uninstallation of the antivirus. We hope the information was useful.
Thematic video:
Installing this antivirus is as easy as shelling pears, but removing Avast completely from your computer is already a problem.
When uninstalling, it throws a lot of errors, which makes uninstallation more difficult.
General information about antivirus
In the modern world, there is practically not a single PC that does not have an antivirus installed.
Avast is very popular due to its free licensing and easy installation.
It is specially designed for operating systems such as Windows 7 and 8, and is also supported by the tenth version of this operating system.
This one copes with any attack and blocks viral links, which is immediately reported to the user.
Please note that removing the antivirus is not advisable, since the computer immediately becomes susceptible to viruses entering the system, which negatively affects the operation of the PC.
Preparing for removal
When preparing to uninstall, it is important to disable the antivirus self-defense, otherwise it will prevent uninstallation.
You can disable it by opening Avast and entering the settings (indicated by a gear).
In the menu that opens, open the “Troubleshooting” item, and there we uncheck the “Enable self-defense module” line. It is now ready to be removed.
You need to deactivate the protection when using any removal method.
Removal using Avastclear utility
Will help remove Avast completely from your computer utility. You can find it on the developer's website. The program is called "Avastclear".
Before you download it, you need to create a folder on your desktop to download it. Call it something like “uninstaller”.
When downloading, specify the path and then check if it is really there. Otherwise, after uninstalling the antivirus, all information that was in the same folder with the utility will be deleted.
On any operating system, you need to open Avastclear only in safe mode. When run normally, it can damage files important to the system.
To ensure system security, you can create a restore point.
To do this, go to the following points: Start → All Programs → Accessories → System Tools → System Restore → Create a restore point → Next → Create
Removal using Windows
If you are thinking about how to completely remove Avast from your computer without downloading and installing special programs, then this method will definitely help you.
This option requires more effort and skills, but it saves you when it is not possible to install additional programs.
The sequence is the same for all operating systems. As mentioned above, with any deletion method, we disable Avast self-defense and create a restore point. Next we follow the instructions:
1 Launch Add or Remove Programs. We look for Avast in the list, select it with a mouse click and click “delete”.
2 After the removal is complete, go to the “Start” menu and select “Run”.
3 A window will open in which you need to enter “regedit” (without quotes).
4 The Registry Editor will open, in which you need to open the “Edit” menu and select “Find”.
5 Enter the query “Avast” into the search.
6 All files and folders containing the word “Avast” should be deleted. You need to update the list over and over again using the F3 key and delete files until there is not a single file or program component left.
7 After clearing the registry of antivirus components, we proceed to cleaning the system. To do this, select search from the Start menu, and designate the search location as “Local drive C”.
8 Select the search scope “Files and folders”, and enter the word Avast in the lines.
9 All found elements must be selected and permanently deleted using the keyboard shortcut Shift + Delete. If some files are not deleted for an unknown reason, you can install the Unlocker application, which will help get rid of these components.
Scans with RevoUnistaller
6 Select all found files, folders and components using the “Select All” button and delete.
7 After the removal is complete, you must empty the Recycle Bin and restart your PC.
We also attach a video with instructions.
There are situations when it is impossible to remove Avast antivirus using the standard method. This can happen for various reasons, such as if the uninstaller file is corrupted or deleted. But before turning to professionals with the request: “Help, I can’t uninstall Avast!”, you can try to fix the situation yourself. Let's figure out how to do this.
If the antivirus is not removed using the standard method, you can use a specialized utility to uninstall Avast or use one of the programs to forcefully remove applications.
Method 1: Uninstall using Avast Uninstall Utility
First of all, you should try using the Avast Uninstall Utility program, which is an Avast developer utility.
- Login to "Safe Mode". The easiest way to do this is when you start your computer. To do this, when loading the PC, press the button F8, after which a window will open where we select the desired mode.
Lesson: How to enter safe mode in,
- After the computer boots, launch the utility and in the window that opens, click on the button "Delete".
- The utility performs the uninstallation process and restarts the computer after clicking the corresponding button.
Method 2: Forced removal of Avast
If the solution above for some reason did not help or cannot be completed, you should use one of the specialized applications for forcibly removing programs. One of the best among them is the Uninstall Tool.