At the moment, the choice of antivirus software is so wide that you can get confused in choosing this. Every day there are new programs that, according to their developers, are able to protect your computer from literally any malicious file. However, the main audience still prefers to use time-tested antiviruses from well-known manufacturers. But even they sometimes fail at work. For example, a few months ago, Avast!, which will be discussed today, blocked access to the Internet during the next database update, in connection with which some users even decided to reinstall the system. In fact, the problem was eliminated in a matter of hours, it was fixed with the help of the next update, so there was no point in completely demolishing the system, for a start it was just necessary to either remove the antivirus itself. How exactly to do this, you will learn from this article. Windows 7 is used as an example.
First way
In order to remove Avast antivirus from your computer, you can use one of two methods. Which one suits you personally, I don’t know, but the first one is much simpler and more convenient. Let's start with him.
Almost all known antiviruses are built into the system in such a way that it would be impossible to disable or remove them with some kind of virus. It is also not easy for the user to do this - it is necessary to make a lot of unnecessary movements. In order to avoid wasting time, manufacturers have come up with special utilities that can easily remove their own products from the computer. In the case of Avast! such a utility is aswClear, a small program that can be downloaded from the official website (avast.com/uninstall-utility). It is better not to download it from other resources, as the site may turn out to be fraudulent and require you to send SMS to short number, which will entail the withdrawal of funds from the personal account of your mobile phone.
After the utility is downloaded to your computer, you need to save it in an accessible place. For example, create a folder on your desktop and place it inside.
The next step is to boot the system into safe mode. In details this process I already described it earlier, but let me remind you that for this you need to press the F8 key when the system boots. If we are talking about a laptop, then safe mode can be called by other keys. Which ones, you can find on the page.
Once safe mode is loaded, you can find aswClear on your desktop and run it.
The utility is extremely easy to use and you should not have problems with it. At the top, you need to select the product you want to remove (you can even specify the path to the antivirus folder). As a rule, the system automatically finds it, so you do not need to select anything. On the right side is the Uninstall button, which must be clicked once.
After a few seconds or minutes (depending on the configuration of your PC), the uninstallation will be completed, about which the utility will notify you by writing the line Program was successfully removed.
After that, feel free to close aswClear by clicking on the cross in right side windows and restart your computer normal mode. Nothing more is required of you.
ATTENTION! The program works exclusively in safe mode!
Second way
This method is designed for people who love hardcore or simply do not have the opportunity to download the utility, which I wrote about a little higher. In this case, you will have to work with your hands, although there is nothing complicated here even for an entry-level user. Next, I will describe the process itself and show some screenshots to make it easier for you.
At the bottom right of your screen is the taskbar. On it you can see the "Avasta" icon. Double-click on it with the left mouse button and the antivirus panel will open in front of you. In this case, screenshots will be used from the eighth version of the antivirus, but there are no differences from the 7th or 6th version here.
Go to "Settings" - "Troubleshooting" - "Enable Avast Self-Defense Module". Uncheck this item and click OK.
Find the antivirus here, move the mouse cursor over it, right-click and select "Uninstall".
After the reboot, go to the Program Files folder and delete the Avast folder from there (sometimes it is called AVAST Software).
Now the hardest part - we will have to get rid of those that were not removed with Avast!. If you do not do this, you will not be able to install any other antivirus on your computer - the system simply will not let you do it. Therefore, we need to open the registry editor ("Start" - "Search for files and programs" - Regedit).
The editor opens before you. Press the key combination CTRL + F, the search form will appear. Enter the word avast into it and click "Find". All found folders with this word must be deleted. If they are not deleted, then you will have to go into safe mode again and do it there already.
Difficult? Therefore, to remove entries from the registry, I recommend using, which in two clicks will remove all unnecessary "tails".
If you have any questions about the article, ask them through the comments.
To uninstall AVAST (Free, Pro, internet security), as well as for other anti-virus programs, using the standard Windows procedure is not enough. The thing is that the software that ensures PC security is more firmly "fixed" in the file system and registry. It also actively uses software self-preservation mechanisms.
Many users who do not know this feature often encounter characteristic difficulties when trying to uninstall Avast:
- incorrectly perform uninstallation (part of the kernel remains in the OC, cluttering up the system partition);
- cannot be deleted at all (attempts to send to the trash are regarded by the antivirus as malicious third-party interference).
Fortunately, there are ways to bypass such problems. The instructions below will tell you in detail how to remove Avast, based on specific situation and the level of your user skills.
Preparing for the removal procedure
Regardless of which uninstallation method will be used, the first step is to disable the antivirus self-defense module. Quite often, it is he who hinders the efforts of the user.
- Click in the tray (lower right corner of the desktop) the Avast icon.
- Select "Settings" from the main menu (gear icon).
- In the submenu that appears, click "Troubleshooting".
- In the list of settings, uncheck the box next to "Enable self-defense module ...".
After disabling the option, the antivirus will warn of a potential threat to the security of the PC. But do not worry - in this situation, this is the right step.
Click "YES" and confirm your intentions.
METHOD # 1: uninstalling the antivirus with the Avastclear utility
It should be noted that this method is the most acceptable and, most importantly, reliable. It does not require special knowledge and skills from the owner of the computer regarding the use of the OS. Avastclear is built by developers antivirus Avast and you can trust her 100%. Well, who, apart from the creators of the product, knows its features and properties so well!
1. Go to the official website of AVAST (avast.ru).
2. Hover over the "Support" section and click "Downloads".
3. On the page that opens, select the "Uninstall utility ..." item.
4. Find the instructions at the bottom. Click on the link "avastclear.exe", located in its first paragraph.
5. Wait for the download to complete on the PC and run the utility (as administrator).
6. Confirm restarting OC in safe mode - the "Yes" button.
7. After restarting the system, in the drop-down menu of the utility, select the name of the product that is installed (for example, avast! Free) and activate the "Uninstall" command.
8. Avastclear will display the progress of the procedure on its panel, after which it will ask for confirmation to restart. Click Yes.
If all the steps were performed correctly, then Avast antivirus will not leave “not a trace or stains”!
METHOD # 2: uninstalling the antivirus using regular Windows tools
This option requires more skill and effort from the user. But nevertheless, it helps out a lot when you don’t have it at hand. special programs to delete files and folders. And also, when it is not possible to download the Avastclear utility and use it accordingly.
Warning! If you have never worked with the registry and file system OC, it is better to seek help from a PC repair and tuning specialist. Otherwise, instead of one problem, two or three may appear. And then the machine will completely lose its working capacity.
1. Disable the Avast self-protection module. Go to the start menu and open the control panel.
2. Select the "Uninstall a program" option.
3. Find the antivirus in the list of programs that appears, select its PC mouse, and then click the "Delete" option in the top menu.
4. Click "Start" again, type "regedit" in the line. Click the shortcut that appears in the "Programs" list with the same name. This is a registry editor: it will help to remove from the computer all entries and keys related to Avast remaining after uninstallation.
5. In the editor's "Edit" submenu, click "Find...".
6. Write in the "Find:" column the word "avast" (required in Latin!) And click the "Find Next" button.
7. Analyze the search result and delete the entries containing the name of the antivirus in their name (for example, section 00avast).
8. Continue searching (option "Edit" >> "Find next"). All remaining keys must be completely removed.
Attention! If an anti-virus program installer is stored on the PC hard drive, it will also be displayed in the registry (the directory where it is located will be indicated). Leave this entry in the editor as is. And to delete the file, it is better to use the standard Windows function from the context menu.
9. Open the OC explorer, in search line type "avast", press the "ENTER" key.
10. Select the antivirus files found by the system on the mouse LC, open the menu and click "Delete".
Restart your PC and enjoy the absence of Avast!
METHOD # 3: uninstalling the antivirus with the Revo Uninstaller Pro utility
Universal solution: suitable for both experienced and novice users. The only condition is the presence of the utility on the PC hard drive.
1. Run Revo Uninstaller, find Avast in the list of programs.
2. Hover over the antivirus icon, click the PC mouse and select the "Uninstall" command.
3. The "native" uninstaller of the program is activated. Use it by clicking "Continue".
4. At the end of the uninstallation, select the "Restart later" command.
5. Go to the Revo Uninstaller window, set the scan type to "Advanced" and click the "Scan" button.
6. Mark all the folders and files found by the utility (“Select All”), click “Delete”, and then “Finish”. Similar actions swipe with the identified registry entries.
After the uninstall procedure, empty the Recycle Bin and restart Windows!
The second and third methods can be used when uninstalling other antivirus products. The principle and tasks are similar - complete cleaning of OC.
Good luck in mastering the PC, dear reader!
You can uninstall Avast antivirus standard means Microsoft Windows or with the help special utility.
Choose a deletion method:
Start»;
2. Select the menu item " Control Panel»:
3. In the window " Control Panel" Choose a section " Programs and Features" (or section " Programs", and then - " Programs and Features»):
4. In the window " Programs and Features
Avast select tab " Removal" and press " Further»:
8. Click " Yes" (or " Yes
To restart a computer" and press " Ready»:
Program Files
1. In the lower left corner of the screen, click on the " Start»;
2. Select the menu item " Control Panel»:
3. In the window " Control Panel" Choose a section "":
4. In the window " Installation and removal of programms» select the program to be removed;
5. Click on the " Delete” (or the button “ Change»);
Avast select tab " Removal" and press " Further»:
7. Click " Yes" (or " Yes”) if prompted to delete:
To restart a computer" and press " Ready»:
When you remove a third-party antivirus using standard Microsoft Windows tools, some folders and files may remain in the system, so you need to check the folder " Program Files' after restarting the computer. If the folder contains folders and files of a third-party antivirus, then they must also be deleted and the computer restarted again.
Avast
Avast ESET NOD32.
Safe mode" or " safe mode»:
5. Then click " Uninstall
To remove a third-party antivirus yourself using standard Microsoft Windows tools, follow these steps:
1. In the lower left corner of the screen, click on the " Start»;
2. Select the menu item " Control Panel»:
3. In the window " Control Panel" Choose a section " Programs and Features" (or section " Programs", and then - " Programs and Features»):
4. In the window " Programs and Features» select the program to be removed;
5. Double-click the left mouse button on the program name;
6. Confirm that you really want to uninstall the program;
7. In the opened window of the antivirus removal program Avast select tab " Removal" and press " Further»:
8. Click " Yes" (or " Yes”) if prompted to delete:
9. Wait for the deletion to finish, check the item " To restart a computer" and press " Ready»:
When you remove a third-party antivirus using standard Microsoft Windows tools, some folders and files may remain in the system, so you need to check the folder " Program Files' after restarting the computer. If the folder contains folders and files of a third-party antivirus, then they must also be deleted and the computer restarted again.
1. In the lower left corner of the screen, click on the " Start»;
2. Select the menu item " Control Panel»:
3. In the window " Control Panel" Choose a section " Installation and removal of programms»:
4. In the window " Installation and removal of programms» select the program to be removed;
5. Click on the " Delete” (or the button “ Change»);
6. In the opened window of the antivirus removal program Avast select tab " Removal" and press " Further»:
7. Click " Yes" (or " Yes”) if prompted to delete:
8. Wait for the deletion to finish, check the item " To restart a computer" and press " Ready»:
When you remove a third-party antivirus using standard Microsoft Windows tools, some folders and files may remain in the system, so you need to check the folder " Program Files' after restarting the computer. If the folder contains folders and files of a third-party antivirus, then they must also be deleted and the computer restarted again.
To remove a third-party antivirus yourself using standard Microsoft Windows tools, follow these steps:
1. In the lower left corner of the screen, click on the " Start»;
2. Select the menu item " Control Panel»:
3. In the window " Control Panel" Choose a section " Programs and Features" (or section " Programs", and then - " Programs and Features»):
4. In the window " Programs and Features» select the program to be removed;
5. Double-click the left mouse button on the program name;
6. Confirm that you really want to uninstall the program;
7. In the opened window of the antivirus removal program Avast select tab " Removal" and press " Further»:
8. Click " Yes" (or " Yes”) if prompted to delete:
9. Wait for the deletion to finish, check the item " To restart a computer" and press " Ready»:
When you remove a third-party antivirus using standard Microsoft Windows tools, some folders and files may remain in the system, so you need to check the folder " Program Files' after restarting the computer. If the folder contains folders and files of a third-party antivirus, then they must also be deleted and the computer restarted again.
1. In the lower left corner of the screen, click on the " Start»;
2. Select the menu item " Control Panel»:
3. In the window " Control Panel" Choose a section " Installation and removal of programms»:
4. In the window " Installation and removal of programms» select the program to be removed;
5. Click on the " Delete” (or the button “ Change»);
6. In the opened window of the antivirus removal program Avast select tab " Removal" and press " Further»:
7. Click " Yes" (or " Yes”) if prompted to delete:
8. Wait for the deletion to finish, check the item " To restart a computer" and press " Ready»:
When you remove a third-party antivirus using standard Microsoft Windows tools, some folders and files may remain in the system, so you need to check the folder " Program Files' after restarting the computer. If the folder contains folders and files of a third-party antivirus, then they must also be deleted and the computer restarted again.
You need to try uninstalling your antivirus first Avast using standard Microsoft Windows tools.
In some cases, after removing the antivirus Avast and restarting the computer system registry the operating system may have entries that make it impossible to install the antivirus ESET NOD32.
To resolve this situation, follow the instructions:
1. Save the special utility (file aswclear.exe) on the desktop of your computer:
2. Reboot the computer in "safe mode" - when the computer boots up, press the F8 key and in the boot selection window that appears, select " Safe mode" or " safe mode»:
3. After downloading in "safe mode", find and run the downloaded file aswclear.exe;
4. In the window that opens, select the product to remove if it was not selected automatically:
5. Then click " Uninstall» and confirm that you want to delete this program:
6. If the removal was successful, you will see the line " Program was successfully removed". Then close the window and restart your computer:
ESET does not take responsibility for the result of this utility, as this software product is provided by a third-party antivirus developer.
We strongly recommend that you seek help from experts when using a special utility to remove a third-party antivirus.
You need to try uninstalling your antivirus first Avast using standard Microsoft Windows tools.
In some cases, after removing the antivirus Avast and restarting the computer, entries may remain in the system registry of the operating system, due to which it is impossible to install the antivirus ESET NOD32.
To resolve this situation, follow the instructions:
1. Save the special utility (file aswclear.exe) on the desktop of your computer:
2. Reboot the computer in "safe mode" - when the computer boots up, press the F8 key and in the boot selection window that appears, select " Safe mode" or " safe mode»:
3. After downloading in "safe mode", find and run the downloaded file aswclear.exe;
4. In the window that opens, select the product to remove if it was not selected automatically:
5. Then click " Uninstall» and confirm that you want to uninstall this program:
6. If the removal was successful, you will see the line " Program was successfully removed". Then close the window and restart your computer:
ESET does not take responsibility for the result of this utility, as this software product is provided by a third-party antivirus developer.
We strongly recommend that you seek help from experts when using a special utility to remove a third-party antivirus.
If you need help removing a third-party antivirus, you can contact our free technical support.
If you wanted uninstall avast and install another antivirus. Or you just want to uninstall Avast and reinstall it (reinstall).
In any case, you can use this step by step instructions as completely uninstall avast antivirus from your computer, works on Windows 10, 8, 7, XP or even MacOS X. TO
Sometimes the traditional methods of uninstalling apps may not work. Good News Avast provides an effective tool to help you uninstall Avast. If you cannot uninstall the program or an error occurs during uninstallation.
This guide works for all Avast antivirus solutions: Free Antivirus, Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier or Free Mac Security.
Before removing the antivirus, disable the self-defense module.
Uninstalling Avast programs on Windows
Method 1: Through Programs and Features
- Open the control panel.
- Switch the control panel view to small icons.
- Find and open Programs and Features (Windows 10) or Add/Remove Programs (Windows 7).
- Find in the list installed programs Avast Free antivirus.
- Right click on it and context menu select Delete.
- The configuration settings for Avast will open.
- Click the Delete button, which is located in the lower right corner.
- You will be asked to confirm, click YES.
- The removal of Avast antivirus will begin.
- At the end of the removal, you will see a message that the product was successfully removed.
- Restart your computer.
Method 2: Using the Avastclear uninstall utility
How to uninstall Avast on Mac OS
Preparation. Before deleting the application, do not forget to exit the process if it is running. First it's a Dock app and then you can activate Activity Monitor to detect and exit related processes(processes) running in the background.
- Open Activity Monitor from the Applications/Utilities, Spotlight or Launchpad folder.
- Select the process named Avast Mac Security, click the (X) button and click Exit.
Typically there are two available options To remove unwanted applications on Mac: (1) run an effective, reputable uninstaller to complete the removal task painlessly, or (2) adopt the manual method to uninstall Avast Free Mac Security 2018 from your Mac computer.
You can complete manual solution to uninstall Avast Free Mac Security 2016 from macOS. To begin with, you must be logged in as an administrator on your Mac or you will be prompted to provide an administrator password during the uninstall.
Manual removal
As mentioned earlier, you must exit the application before uninstalling it, otherwise an error message may appear to abort the process, or an incomplete uninstallation will occur. After that, take the generally accepted Avast Free Mac Security 2016 removal method:
- Open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder from the left pane.
- Select the Avast Mac Security icon and drag it to the Trash.
The drag-to-delete method works for almost all applications in all Mac versions OS X. You can also move an app to the Trash in the following ways:
- (1) right click on the application and select "Move to Trash";
- (2) select the app and go to "File" > "Move to Trash".
As a rule, the application will be immediately removed from the window and will appear in the trash. You will need to remove the Delete Trash (we will talk about this later). If you can't move the app to the Trash, restart your Mac and delete it again.
Using the setup file
Alternative: If you keep the Avast product installation package on your Mac, you can immediately run its built-in uninstaller to perform the uninstallation. Here's how to do it:
- Double click to open setup file Avast Mac Security (.dmg) in Finder.
- Launch the Uninstall Avast application and click "Open" on the pop-up dialog.
- Click the "Delete" button, select installed apps and click the "Continue" button.
When prompted, enter your password account to make this change.
- Once the process is complete, click the "Exit" button to close the uninstall wizard.
Alternative (2): If you don't keep the installation package, launch Avast Mac Security, select Avast Mac Security > Uninstall Avast from the top menu, and then uninstall.
Avast Antivirus with default settings protects its folders and files from third-party interference. The developers endowed him with a "self-preservation instinct" in order to increase the level of system security. There is a separate category of viruses that disable the Windows 7/8 and XP family of software protectors or "force" them to skip other malware on the PC. That's just from such Avast and is protected.
Issues related to deletion
It is worth noting that, despite all its usefulness and necessity, this Avast function sometimes gives users both a PC and a laptop a lot of trouble. Under certain circumstances, the antivirus program regards attempts to delete it as an attack, an attack on its integrity, and, accordingly, fights back.
Some users after failed attempts trying to uninstall Avast in parts: they find its folders/files and send them to the trash. And thus further exacerbate the already problematic situation.
Separate elements flatly refuse to leave the computer's penates. Only visual visibility is created that the antivirus is removed. Installers of other security software products interrupt the installation, indicating the presence of the Avast program in the system.
There are also difficulties incorrect installation, system crashes) and when switching to another version of the product, for example, from Avast Free Antivirus to Internet Security or Premier.
How to delete correctly?
Method number 1
The most correct and effective recipe for solving this problem is to use a proprietary utility from Avast! (Uninstall utility). It allows you to quickly, correctly and, most importantly, completely remove the antivirus from your PC.
To enable it, do the following:
1. Make a request in a search engine (Google or Yandex, no difference) - download avastclear (this is the name of the utility).
2. Go to the first one in search results link (avast.ru/uninstall-utility).
3. On the Avast Removal Tool page, in the first item on the list, click avastclear.exe.
5. Launch avastclear.
7. After rebooting, in the utility window that appears, click "Continue" (leave the configuration fields unchanged).
8. Do not turn off the computer and do not run other applications while the antivirus program is being removed. After the procedure is complete, restart your computer in normal mode.
Method number 2
To delete antivirus program, do the following:
1. Right-click the Avast tray icon (on the right side of the taskbar).
2. In vertical menu interface of the antivirus, click "Settings".
3. In the settings window, go to the "Troubleshooting" section.
4. Uncheck the box next to the option "Enable self-defense module ...".
5. Close all windows.
6. Open the control panel via the Start menu (Windows icon at the bottom of the display).
8. Click to highlight Avast in the list of installed software.
9. Click the "Uninstall" function located at the top of the program directory.
10. In the window of the antivirus uninstaller, select "Uninstall" (the very last icon of the vertical menu).
11. Click Continue.
12. After the uninstallation is completed, reboot the OS.
Method number 3
In fact, in essence, is alternative method number 2. It involves the use of specialized utilities that allow you to completely remove almost any application from the system.
You can get rid of Avast using:
- CCleaner (Tools → Remove Programs);
- Revo Uninstaller Pro;
- Uninstall Tool and other analogues.
The removal algorithm is quite simple (using Revo Uninstaller as an example):
- On the All Programs tab (other utilities may display a list), right-click the antivirus icon.
- Select Delete from the context menu.
- Follow the instructions of the uninstaller. Do not restart the system.
- Select the "Advanced" scan mode. Run the analysis (button "Scan").
- Delete all files found by Revo Uninstaller and registry entries left after uninstallation.
Prevention
Before installing another antivirus, clean the file directories and OS registry with the CCleaner utility.
