Did you know that Avast’s client base consists of over 435 million monthly active users? As a result, Avast now accounts for the second-largest share of the anti-malware app market.
However, just because Avast is a big brand doesn’t mean its products are perfect for everyone. For starters, you may not be keen to pay for its yearly premium plan pricing of $69.99. There’s also the recent claim about the company selling its users’ web browsing data.
Regardless of why you’d want to remove it, know that you can’t uninstall Avast by deleting its icon alone. Depending on your operating system, you may have to unhide a setting or use a specific program.
Don’t worry, though, as we’ll go through the uninstallation steps in this guide, so be sure to keep reading.
The Key Reason You Can’t Uninstall Avast Antivirus
Malicious software can be powerful enough to hijack computer networks. Ransomware, in particular, can now cause an average downtime of more than 16 days. So, if malware can cause that kind of trouble, removing an app without user consent is a breeze for them.
That’s why antivirus companies, including Avast, use self-defense modules in their programs. These are protective features that prevent malicious software from modifying legitimate apps. In this way, self-protective modes help ensure that malware can’t uninstall an antivirus.
That self-defense module, by default, activates as soon as you install Avast. For this reason, Avast won’t uninstall by just moving it to the Recycle Bin or Trash. Instead, you must disable its self-protective mode before you can uninstall it.
Disabling Avast Self-Defense Mode on Windows
If you’re using a Windows computer, you need to unhide an “invisible” Avast setting first.
To do that, launch the Avast user interface and then click the Menu option at the top-right area of the window. This should make a drop-down menu appear; select Settings in the list.
There are several computer users who use avast, that’s the maximum used unfastened antivirus application for the home windows. even although it is one of the beneficial software programs that could interface with numerous other applications and might install bundles of unrequited matters, on this blog, we’ve got noted the techniques for how to uninstall avast without leaving any residues for it.
There are two special strategies for a way to uninstall avast first one is manually, and the other is using third-party software. the first technique is dependable and conventional, and for the second one, uninstallers like Revo, smart, geek, and every other uninstaller that provide accurate and simplify cleanout ways. this post will guide you step by step to uninstall avast. at the side of this, you’ll get the records that there is a distinction for uninstalling avast for windows 7, 8, and 10.
After that, a new Avast Settings window should pop up on your screen. On the left navigation pane of this window, click the General option. Then, on the sub-menu, select Troubleshooting.
Remove the check in the box for Enable Self-Defense. This should trigger a small pop-up window asking for your confirmation. Click OK to deactivate Avast’s Self-Defense mode.
Completing the Avast Uninstall Process on Windows
After disabling Avast’s Self-Defense mode, it should be ready for uninstallation. However, be sure you close all active Avast windows first.
You can check the Task Manager to make sure there’s no longer any running Avast service.
To do that, press the Ctrl, Shift, and Esc keys. Then, sift through the list under the Processes tab. Select any item with Avast in it and click the End Task button to kill the process.
Next, go to your desktop, click the Start menu, and on the search bar, type in Control Panel. Then, click the Control Panel app to launch it.
In the Control Panel window, choose Programs and Features. The next window should give you a list of your installed apps; look for the Avast Antivirus there.
Select the field for Avast and click the Uninstall button above the column/row names. Avast’s configuration screen should then appear on your screen. On that new window, click the Uninstall option at the very bottom.
From there, you should get an Uninstall message box asking for confirmation. Click Yes to continue the uninstallation of Avast on your Windows computer. This should then begin the process, which can take a few minutes.
If everything goes right, you should see a message about the successful uninstallation. The same window will ask you to restart your computer. Click on the Restart computer button to finalize the removal of the antivirus app.
Steps to use avast uninstall software
Step 1: go to the legitimate website of the avast application, and from there, download the avastclear.exe. open this with the assist of option “run as administrator.”
Step 2: now, you can still begin your window with the secure mode. then run the method of application, inside the next window option. now specify the vicinity of all of the avast application files. or go away it in the default method if it’s miles to be had. now, click on at the uninstall option.
Step three: wait until the method finishes, and it might make an effort to uninstall. now, the very last step can be restarting your laptop.
There are several 3rd party packages to uninstall avast antivirus, which may be tailored to the tasks. those applications are like IObit uninstaller, wise, CCleaner, reko, and plenty greater. this submits will offer you the steps for the way to uninstall avast the usage of CCleaner software.
Methods for a way to uninstall avast using CCleaner
Step 1: installation CCleaner from its respectable. choose its device section and test the list of what one calls for to delete, choose the avast utility, or avast antivirus.
Step 2: After this, one calls for clicking on the uninstall option. that’s given on the right aspect of your window screen. now, the avast configuration screen could be proven to you, verify the motion after which begin uninstalling avast.
Step three: wait until the entire system will now not get finished. then restart the computer as consistent with the recommendation of the avast setup.
Step four: now, run the utility of Ccleaner, pick out the registry section. pick the “experiment for problems” choice and then “repair selected issues”.
Step 5: avoid saving backup copies of all the registry modifications. this is the way to get unfastened from avast. now, you may near the window of CCleaner.
There may be a trade choice referred to as IObit uninstaller nine. this software does not simplest delete the program but also eliminates the relaxation of registry documents and entries. IObit helps 35 numerous interfacing languages, has various additional gear, and is an extension for browser supervisors as well. this could be another best choice for the way to uninstall avast completely.
Uninstalling Avast on macOS
Have you tried sending Avast Security to your Mac’s Trash, only to find it doesn’t uninstall the app? That’s because Avast on Mac has a default self-defense mode, too.
Fortunately, the latest version of the anti-malware for Mac has a built-in installer. When you use this service, you need to authorize it using your credentials. This is what triggers the self-defense mode to deactivate.
However, to uninstall Avast on Mac, the Avast Security window must be active. This means the Avast logo must be present in your Mac’s menu bar, the field at the top of your screen. If Avast Security is currently running, you should see its logo on the top-right area.
Once you see that logo, click on it and select Open Avast Security. If you have the paid version, click Open Avast Premium Security. This should then launch the Avast Security user interface.
With the UI on your screen, click Avast Security/Avast Premium Security beside the Apple logo. Then, select Uninstall Avast Security/Avast Premium Security. On the message prompt that pops up, click Uninstall.
You’d get another window asking you to provide your Mac’s login credentials. You can either use Touch ID or enter your Mac’s username and password. From there, the app’s uninstallation should proceed, which, again, can take a few minutes.
Once the uninstall is complete, click the Quit button. At this point, you can restart your Mac to finalize the process.
However, note that residual files may remain even after running the uninstaller. Many of these may be hiding in your Mac’s Library. You can check out this guide on how to delete Avast off Mac for a list of folders that may contain these left-over files.
Final Tip: Install a New Anti-Malware App
There you have it, your ultimate guide on what to do if you can’t uninstall Avast on Windows or Mac. So long as you follow our detailed guide, you should finally be able to remove it from your system. Just make sure to download and use a new anti-malware program right after you remove Avast.
That way, you can keep your computer safe from the 450,000 malicious programs created every day.
Interested in more hacks to help you make the most of your techy gadgets? Have a look at our most recent news and how-to guides, then!
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