The Download

• First, go toMenu>Settings>General>Troubleshooting.Uncheck Enable Self-Defense.
• Then, remove Avast:Control Panel>Programs and Features> highlight the app >Uninstall.
• When Avast's configuration screen appears, chooseUninstalland follow the on-screen directions.

This article explains how to uninstall Avast Free Antivirus from your Windows computer.

How to Disable Avast's Self-Defense Mode

To disable self-defense mode in Avast, you'll need to go into a 'hidden' area of the Settings.

1. Open Avast and selectMenuat the top.

   

2. SelectSettingsfrom the drop-down menu that appears.

   

3. This opens a newSettingswindow.SelectGeneralfrom the left navigation pane, and then selectTroubleshootingfrom the sub-menu.

   

4. Deselect the checkbox besideEnable Self-Defenseto turn off this feature.

   

5. This opens a pop-up window asking you to confirm. SelectOKto confirm the change.

   

6. With Self-Defense mode off, you can close theSettingswindow as well as Avast.

Complete the Avast Free Antivirus Uninstall

Now that self-defense mode is off, follow these Avast Free Antivirus uninstall steps to finish the removal:

1. Open Control Panel. One quick method is to search for it from the Start menu; selectControl Panelto open it.

   

2. ChoosePrograms and Features.

   

3. SelectAvast Free Antivirusfrom the list, and then chooseUninstallto begin the uninstall process.

   

4. SelectUninstallat the bottom to launch the Avast Free Antivirus uninstall process.

   

5. You'll see a confirmation window asking you if you really want to delete Avast. SelectYes.

   

6. This will launch the Avast uninstallation process. It may take a few minutes for the progress bar to complete as the uninstallation deletes all of the Avast files distributed throughout your system.

7. When the uninstallation is complete, you'll see a prompt to restart the computer so the uninstallation can complete. ChooseRestart computerto finish.

   

8. Restarting your computer will complete the uninstallation process. Once this is done, Avast will be completely uninstalled from your system.

Install New Antivirus Software

If you uninstalled Avast Antivirus so that you can install new antivirus software, there are lots of good, free antivirus software options to choose from.

If you're only uninstalling it to test whether Avast is interfering with other things you're trying to do with your computer, make sure to download the latest version of Avast Free Antivirus and reinstall it on your system so that you're fully protected.