Avast Free Antivirus is a popular security solution that protects millions of computers worldwide from malware, viruses, and other online threats. However, there may be situations where you need to disable it temporarily or permanently. Perhaps you’re experiencing compatibility issues with other software, or you want to try a different antivirus program. Whatever the reason, disabling Avast Free Antivirus is a relatively straightforward process. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to disable Avast Free Antivirus on your Windows computer.
Why Disable Avast Free Antivirus?
Before we dive into the instructions, let’s explore some reasons why you might want to disable Avast Free Antivirus:
- Compatibility issues: Avast may conflict with other security software or applications on your computer, causing system crashes or errors.
- Performance issues: Avast can consume system resources, slowing down your computer. Disabling it may improve performance.
- Testing purposes: You may want to test other antivirus software or troubleshoot issues without Avast interfering.
- Uninstallation: If you’ve decided to switch to a different antivirus program, you’ll need to disable Avast before uninstalling it.
Temporarily Disabling Avast Free Antivirus
If you only need to disable Avast temporarily, you can do so without uninstalling it. Here’s how:
Method 1: Disable Avast Shields
Avast Shields are the core components of the antivirus program that scan your computer for malware. Disabling them will temporarily stop Avast from scanning your system.
- Open Avast: Double-click the Avast icon in your system tray or navigate to the Avast program folder and launch the application.
- Go to Settings: Click on the “Menu” icon (three horizontal lines) and select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- Disable Shields: In the Settings window, click on “Components” and toggle off the switches next to “File Shield,” “Behavior Shield,” “Web Shield,” and “Mail Shield.”
- Confirm: Click “OK” to save your changes.
Method 2: Disable Avast from the System Tray
Alternatively, you can disable Avast from the system tray:
- Right-click the Avast icon: In your system tray, right-click the Avast icon.
- Select “Avast shields control”: From the context menu, select “Avast shields control.”
- Choose a disable option: Select “Disable for 10 minutes,” “Disable for 1 hour,” or “Disable until computer is restarted.”
Permanently Disabling Avast Free Antivirus
If you want to permanently disable Avast Free Antivirus, you’ll need to uninstall it. Here’s how:
Method 1: Uninstall Avast using the Control Panel
- Open the Control Panel: Press the Windows key + X and select “Control Panel.”
- Go to Programs and Features: Click on “Programs and Features” (in Windows 10/8) or “Add or Remove Programs” (in Windows 7).
- Find Avast: In the list of installed programs, find Avast Free Antivirus.
- Uninstall: Click on Avast and select “Uninstall” or “Remove.”
- Follow the prompts: Follow the uninstallation wizard to complete the process.
Method 2: Uninstall Avast using the Settings App
- Open the Settings App: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to Apps: Click on “Apps” (in Windows 10) or “Applications” (in Windows 8).
- Find Avast: In the list of installed apps, find Avast Free Antivirus.
- Uninstall: Click on Avast and select “Uninstall.”
- Follow the prompts: Follow the uninstallation wizard to complete the process.
Additional Tips
- Restart your computer: After uninstalling Avast, restart your computer to ensure that all Avast components are removed.
- Use the Avast Uninstall Tool: If you’re having trouble uninstalling Avast using the methods above, you can try using the Avast Uninstall Tool. This tool is designed to completely remove all Avast components from your computer.
- Install alternative antivirus software: If you’re uninstalling Avast to switch to a different antivirus program, make sure to install the new software immediately to ensure your computer remains protected.
Conclusion
Disabling Avast Free Antivirus is a relatively straightforward process that can be done temporarily or permanently. Whether you’re experiencing compatibility issues, performance problems, or simply want to try a different antivirus program, this guide has provided you with the steps to disable Avast.
Why would I want to disable Avast Free Antivirus?
There are several reasons why you might want to disable Avast Free Antivirus. One common reason is that you’re experiencing conflicts with other software or system processes. Avast can sometimes interfere with the functionality of other programs or slow down your computer, and disabling it may resolve these issues. Additionally, you might need to disable Avast to install other antivirus software or to troubleshoot system problems.
Another reason to disable Avast is if you’re planning to perform a system restore or reinstall your operating system. In these cases, it’s a good idea to disable any antivirus software to prevent it from interfering with the process. Whatever your reason, it’s essential to know how to disable Avast safely and effectively to avoid leaving your computer vulnerable to malware and other online threats.
Will disabling Avast Free Antivirus leave my computer vulnerable to malware?
Yes, disabling Avast Free Antivirus will leave your computer more vulnerable to malware and other online threats. Avast provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other types of malware, and disabling it will stop this protection. If you disable Avast, you’ll need to take extra precautions to protect your computer, such as avoiding suspicious emails and websites, using strong passwords, and keeping your operating system and other software up to date.
However, if you need to disable Avast for a legitimate reason, you can minimize the risks by taking these precautions and re-enabling Avast as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to consider alternative antivirus solutions that can provide continuous protection without interfering with your system or other software. Remember that antivirus software is an essential part of computer security, and you should always have some form of protection enabled.
How do I disable Avast Free Antivirus temporarily?
To disable Avast Free Antivirus temporarily, you can use the Avast settings menu. Right-click on the Avast icon in your system tray and select “Avast shields control.” From here, you can choose to disable Avast for a specified period, such as 10 minutes, 1 hour, or until you restart your computer. This will stop Avast from scanning your computer and alerting you to potential threats, but it will not uninstall the software.
Alternatively, you can disable individual Avast shields, such as the file system shield or the web shield, if you only need to disable specific features. To do this, go to the Avast settings menu and select “Components.” From here, you can toggle individual shields on or off as needed. Remember to re-enable Avast as soon as possible to maintain continuous protection.
How do I disable Avast Free Antivirus permanently?
To disable Avast Free Antivirus permanently, you’ll need to uninstall the software from your computer. Go to your computer’s “Control Panel” and select “Programs and Features” (in Windows) or “Applications” (on a Mac). Find Avast in the list of installed programs and select it, then click “Uninstall” to begin the removal process.
Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation, and Avast will be removed from your computer. Keep in mind that uninstalling Avast will leave your computer without antivirus protection, so you should consider installing alternative antivirus software to fill the gap. If you’re uninstalling Avast due to conflicts or performance issues, you may want to try reinstalling it or seeking support from Avast technical support.
Can I disable Avast Free Antivirus from the Task Manager?
Yes, you can disable Avast Free Antivirus from the Task Manager, but this is not a recommended method. To do this, press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open the Task Manager, then find the Avast process (usually labeled “AvastUI.exe” or “AvastSvc.exe”) in the list of running processes. Right-click on the process and select “End task” to terminate it.
However, disabling Avast from the Task Manager will only stop the software temporarily, and it may restart automatically when you restart your computer. Additionally, this method does not provide a way to disable individual shields or features, and it may not be as effective as using the Avast settings menu or uninstalling the software. For these reasons, it’s generally recommended to use the Avast settings menu or uninstall the software instead.
Will disabling Avast Free Antivirus improve my computer’s performance?
Disabling Avast Free Antivirus may improve your computer’s performance in some cases, but it depends on the specific circumstances. If Avast is consuming excessive system resources or interfering with other software, disabling it may resolve these issues and improve performance. However, Avast is designed to run in the background and minimize its impact on system resources, so disabling it may not always result in significant performance gains.
In fact, disabling Avast may actually decrease performance in the long run, as your computer will be more vulnerable to malware and other online threats. Malware can consume system resources, slow down your computer, and cause other performance issues, so it’s essential to maintain some form of antivirus protection to prevent these problems. If you’re experiencing performance issues, it’s recommended to try optimizing Avast or seeking support from Avast technical support instead of disabling it.
Can I re-enable Avast Free Antivirus after disabling it?
Yes, you can re-enable Avast Free Antivirus after disabling it, but the process depends on how you disabled it. If you disabled Avast temporarily using the Avast settings menu, you can simply wait for the specified period to expire or re-enable it manually by going back to the settings menu and selecting “Enable all shields.”
If you uninstalled Avast, you’ll need to reinstall the software from the Avast website or a installation file. Make sure to download the correct version for your operating system and follow the installation prompts to reinstall Avast. Once reinstalled, Avast will resume providing real-time protection against malware and other online threats. Remember to update Avast to the latest version and configure its settings to optimize performance and protection.