Site icon Sprintally®

How to Turn Off Avast Antivirus Easily (3 Best Methods)

Azahar Azahar
How To Turn Off Avast Antivirus

Avast Antivirus is one of the most trusted security solutions worldwide, offering real-time protection against malware, viruses, and cyber threats. However, there are times when you may need to disable it—whether to install specific software, improve system performance, or troubleshoot issues.

This guide will walk you through how to turn off Avast Antivirus temporarily or permanently, ensuring that you do it safely without exposing your system to unnecessary risks.

Advertisements

Why Would You Need to Disable Avast Antivirus?

Why Would You Need To Disable Avast Antivirus

Before we dive into the steps, it’s essential to understand why you might need to disable Avast Antivirus:

✅ Software Installation Issues: Some programs may conflict with Avast’s real-time scanning, preventing them from installing correctly.
✅ System Performance Optimization: Disabling Avast can free up system resources, especially during high-performance tasks like gaming or video editing.
✅ False Positives: Avast sometimes mistakenly flags safe applications or websites as threats, blocking access.
✅ Troubleshooting Network Issues: Disabling the antivirus can help identify if Avast is interfering with your internet or network settings.

While turning off Avast can be helpful, it’s essential to re-enable it afterward to keep your system protected.

How to Turn Off Avast Antivirus on Windows

How To Turn Off Avast Antivirus On Windows

Method 1: Temporarily Disabling Avast via System Tray

This method allows you to disable Avast for a limited time.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Open the System Tray

    • Locate the Avast icon (orange with a white “A”) in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
    • Right-click on the Avast icon to open the context menu.

  2. Choose the Disable Option

    • Hover over “Avast shields control” to reveal multiple disable options.

  3. Select the Duration

    • Choose one of the following:
      • Disable for 10 minutes
      • Disable for 1 hour
      • Disable until computer restarts
      • Disable permanently (not recommended unless necessary)

  4. Confirm Your Choice

    • A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click “Yes” to proceed.

✅ Best for temporarily disabling protection without uninstalling Avast.

Method 2: Disabling Specific Avast Shields

If you only want to turn off certain features of Avast, this method allows for greater control.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Open the Avast User Interface

    • Click on the Avast icon in your system tray or search “Avast” in the Windows Start menu.

  2. Go to Core Shields

    • In the Avast dashboard, navigate to “Protection” > “Core Shields.”

  3. Disable Individual Shields

    • You will see the following protection options:

      • File Shield (monitors files for threats)
      • Behavior Shield (prevents malicious behavior)
      • Web Shield (blocks malicious websites)
      • Mail Shield (scans email attachments)

    • Toggle off any shield you want to disable.

  4. Choose the Duration

    • Select how long you want the shield to remain off.

✅ Useful when Avast is blocking a specific website, application, or file.

Method 3: Preventing Avast from Running on Startup

If you don’t want Avast to start automatically when your computer boots up, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Open Task Manager

    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.

  2. Go to Startup Programs

    • Click the “Startup” tab.

  3. Disable Avast from Startup

    • Find “Avast Antivirus” in the list.
    • Right-click it and select “Disable.”

✅ This reduces system load at startup, improving boot speed.

How to Turn Off Avast Antivirus on Mac

Avast for Mac doesn’t allow complete deactivation, but you can disable individual shields.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Open Avast Security on Mac

    • Click the Avast icon in the menu bar.
    • Select “Open Avast Security.”

  2. Disable Core Shields

    • Go to “Core Shields.”
    • Toggle off:
      • File Shield
      • Web Shield
      • Mail Shield

  3. Confirm the Action

    • You may be asked to enter your Mac’s administrator password to proceed.

✅ Helps in troubleshooting Mac software compatibility issues.

Advanced Methods for Completely Stopping Avast

If you need to disable Avast entirely without uninstalling it, try these methods:

Method 1: Using Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the “Processes” tab.
  3. Find and right-click all Avast-related processes.
  4. Select “End Task” for each process.

Method 2: Stopping Avast Services via Windows Services Tool

  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Find “Avast Antivirus” services in the list.
  3. Right-click each one and select “Stop.”

Uninstalling Avast Antivirus (Permanent Removal)

If you want to completely remove Avast:

  1. Go to Control Panel

    • Search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu.
    • Click on “Uninstall a Program.”

  2. Find Avast in the List

    • Locate “Avast Free Antivirus.”
    • Click “Uninstall.”

  3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts

    • The Avast uninstallation wizard will guide you through the process.

Potential Risks of Disabling Avast Antivirus

🔴 Increased Malware Risk: Without active protection, viruses and malware can infect your system.
🔴 Phishing Attacks: Avast blocks malicious websites; disabling it makes you more vulnerable.
🔴 Unauthorized Access: Hackers can exploit security weaknesses in unprotected systems.

✅ Best Practice: If you must disable Avast, ensure you re-enable it as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I disable Avast without uninstalling it?
Yes, you can temporarily disable it using the system tray or disable specific shields in settings.

Will disabling Avast improve system performance?
Yes, temporarily turning off Avast can free up resources, improving performance during gaming or heavy tasks.

How can I stop Avast from blocking a program?
Instead of disabling Avast, you can add the program to the “Exceptions” list under “Settings” > “General” > “Exceptions.”

Is it safe to disable Avast permanently?
No, unless you have an alternative antivirus installed. Keeping your system unprotected increases security risks.

How do I re-enable Avast after disabling it?
Open Avast, navigate to “Core Shields,” and turn them back on.

Conclusion

Disabling Avast Antivirus can be helpful in certain situations, such as software installation issues, performance concerns, or troubleshooting network problems. However, it’s crucial to re-enable protection as soon as possible to safeguard your system.

If you plan to turn off Avast permanently, ensure you have an alternative security solution in place.

Advertisements
Exit mobile version