How to Completely Uninstall Avast Free Antivirus from Your Computer

If you've decided to replace Avast Free Antivirus with another security solution or are experiencing issues with it, you may want to ensure it's fully removed. Standard uninstallation might leave some files and registry entries behind, so a few extra steps are required for a thorough cleanup. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to completely uninstall Avast Free Antivirus from your computer.

Step 1: Disable Real-Time Protection

Before beginning the uninstallation, it's a good idea to temporarily disable Avast's real-time protection to avoid any conflicts during the process:

  • Locate the Avast icon in your taskbar (next to the clock) and right-click on it.
  • Select Avast shields control and choose Disable permanently or Disable until computer is restarted.

Step 2: Uninstall via Control Panel

First, try removing Avast through the standard Windows method:

  • Open the Control Panel and navigate to Programs and Features (or "Uninstall a program" depending on your version of Windows).
  • Find Avast Free Antivirus in the list, select it, and click Uninstall.
  • Follow the instructions in the uninstall wizard. In most cases, the system will prompt you to restart your computer to complete the uninstallation.

Step 3: Use the Avast Clear Tool

The official Avast Clear tool is designed to help fully remove Avast, including any leftover files. Here’s how to use it:

  • Download the Avast Clear utility from the official website.
  • Run the tool, and it will prompt you to reboot your computer in Safe Mode, which helps ensure complete removal of the software.
  • Once restarted, select the folder where Avast is installed (default: C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast).
  • Click Uninstall and wait for the process to finish. Then restart your computer again.

Step 4: Clean Up the Registry and Leftover Files

After uninstalling, it’s recommended to clean up the registry and any remaining files:

  • Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool in Windows to remove temporary files and cache.
  • For a deeper cleanup, you can use software like CCleaner or similar programs to remove leftover registry entries and unnecessary files.