Uninstalling Avast Free Antivirus from your Windows computer can be a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Begin by disabling the Self-Defense mode, which is essential for a smooth uninstallation.
How to Disable Avast’s Self-Defense Mode
To turn off the Self-Defense mode in Avast, navigate through the settings with these steps:
- Open Avast and click on Menu located at the top of the interface.
- From the drop-down menu, select Settings.
- In the new Settings window, choose General from the left navigation pane, then click on Troubleshooting in the sub-menu.
- Uncheck the box next to Enable Self-Defense to deactivate this feature.
- A confirmation pop-up will appear; click OK to confirm your choice.
Once Self-Defense mode is disabled, you can close both the Settings window and the Avast application.
Complete the Avast Free Antivirus Uninstall
With Self-Defense mode turned off, you can now proceed with the uninstallation of Avast Free Antivirus:
- Open the Control Panel. A quick way to do this is by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Select Programs and Features from the Control Panel options.
- Locate Avast Free Antivirus in the list of installed programs and click on Uninstall.
- Confirm the uninstallation by selecting Uninstall again at the bottom of the window.
- A confirmation window will prompt you to confirm the deletion of Avast; click Yes.
- The uninstallation process will commence, which may take a few moments as it removes all associated files from your system.
- Upon completion, a prompt will appear asking you to restart your computer; select Restart computer to finalize the uninstallation.
After restarting, Avast will be fully removed from your system, ensuring that you have a clean slate for any new software installations.
Install New Antivirus Software
If your intention behind uninstalling Avast was to make way for new antivirus software, you will find a variety of excellent free options available. However, if you were merely troubleshooting potential conflicts, consider downloading the latest version of Avast Free Antivirus to ensure your system remains protected.
