Avast Free Antivirus is a popular antivirus software that provides free protection against viruses, malware, and other threats. However, sometimes users may encounter issues when trying to uninstall the software. If you're facing the same problem, don't worry, as we've got you covered. In this article, we'll discuss some tips and tricks that can help you uninstall Avast Free Antivirus from your system.
Why Can't I Uninstall Avast Free Antivirus?
Before we proceed to the solutions, let's first understand why you're unable to uninstall Avast Free Antivirus. Here are some possible reasons:
- The Avast software is currently running in the background.
- The software is not fully installed or corrupted.
- Some files related to Avast are missing or damaged.
- Your system is infected with malware that's preventing the uninstallation.
Now that you have an idea of the possible causes, let's move on to the solutions.
Solution 1: Use the Avast Uninstall Utility
If you're having trouble uninstalling Avast Free Antivirus via the Control Panel, you can try using the Avast Uninstall Utility. This is a special tool designed to completely remove Avast from your system, including all its files and registry entries. Here's how to use it:
- Download the Avast Uninstall Utility from the official Avast website.
- Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall Avast.
- Restart your computer once the uninstallation is complete.
This should completely remove Avast from your system. If you still find any leftovers, you can use a third-party uninstaller tool like Revo Uninstaller to get rid of them.
Solution 2: Disable Avast Shields
If the Avast software is currently running in the background, you won't be able to uninstall it. In that case, you can try disabling the Avast shields temporarily. Here's how to do it:
- Right-click on the Avast icon in the system tray.
- Select "Avast shields control" from the context menu.
- Select "Disable for 10 minutes" or "Disable until computer is restarted".
- Try uninstalling Avast again from the Control Panel.
If you're still unable to uninstall Avast, you can try disabling all the shields and then uninstalling it. However, keep in mind that disabling the shields will leave your system vulnerable to threats, so make sure to enable them back once you're done.
Solution 3: Use a Third-Party Uninstaller Tool
If none of the above solutions work, you can try using a third-party uninstaller tool like Revo Uninstaller. These tools are designed to completely remove any software from your system, including all its files and registry entries. Here's how to use it:
- Download and install a third-party uninstaller tool like Revo Uninstaller.
- Launch the tool and select "Avast Free Antivirus" from the list of installed programs.
- Click on "Uninstall" and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your computer once the uninstallation is complete.
This should completely remove Avast from your system. If you still find any leftovers, you can use the "Advanced" mode in Revo Uninstaller to remove them.
Solution 4: Remove Avast Manually
If none of the above solutions work, you can try removing Avast manually. However, this is not recommended for inexperienced users as it involves editing the registry and deleting files. Here's how to do it:
- Press "Windows + R" to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- Search for the "Avast Free Antivirus" entry and delete it.
- Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Avast Software
- Delete the entire "Avast" folder.
- Go to "C:\Program Files" and delete the "Avast Software" folder.
Once you've completed these steps, restart your computer and check if Avast has been completely removed. If you're not sure about any of the steps, it's better to seek help from a professional.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Avast Free Antivirus can be a tricky task, but with the solutions mentioned above, you should be able to remove it successfully. Remember to always use a reliable antivirus software to keep your system protected against threats. If you're not sure which antivirus software to choose, check out our list of the best free antivirus software for Windows.
