Avast how to Turn Off - Avast!

Updated: June 4, 2026 · Full review · Alternatives · Antivirus & Security

You can disable Avast temporarily or permanently through the system tray, settings menu, or Windows Services — but the method depends on whether you want a quick pause or full removal. Here's what actually works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Quick Disable: The Fastest Method

Right-click the Avast icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your taskbar). Select "Disable temporarily" and choose your duration: 10 minutes, 1 hour, or until restart. This pauses real-time scanning without uninstalling anything.

The software will automatically resume protection after the timer expires or when you restart your PC. This is the safest approach if you're troubleshooting a false positive or installing software that conflicts with active scanning.

How to Turn Off Through Settings

Open Avast and navigate to Menu (hamburger icon) → Settings → Protection. Toggle off any active shields:

File Shield (file access monitoring)
Web Shield (browser protection)
Mail Shield (email scanning)
Behavior Shield (suspicious activity detection)

You can disable individual shields without turning off the entire program. However, doing this leaves your PC exposed — only recommended for brief troubleshooting windows.

Accessing Advanced Options

For deeper control, go to Settings → General → Startup. Uncheck "Run Avast at Windows startup" if you want to prevent automatic launch on boot. This doesn't uninstall it; it just keeps it inactive until you manually open it.

Permanent Removal: Uninstall Avast

To completely remove Avast from your Windows PC, use the Control Panel method:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features

2. Search for "Avast"

3. Click the entry and select Uninstall

4. Follow the uninstaller wizard and restart when prompted

Alternatively, use the dedicated Avast Uninstall Utility (found in Program Files > Avast > Uninstall) for a thorough removal that clears leftover files.

If you're switching to a competitor, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for supplemental scanning works well alongside other antivirus tools, and ESET Internet Security as a full replacement offers stronger performance on Windows without the resource drain.

When to Turn Off Avast (And When Not To)

Disabling Avast temporarily makes sense if you're installing trusted software blocked by false positives, or testing another antivirus. However, never leave your system unprotected long-term. Avast free antivirus provides solid baseline defense against malware and trojans, though it's less aggressive than paid alternatives.

Pro Tip: If you're testing another security tool, keep Avast's File Shield active while disabling other shields. It catches threats with minimal conflict, letting you safely evaluate competing software without full vulnerability.

Avast How to Turn Off: The Real Tradeoffs

Avast premium security offers better threat detection and fewer false positives than the free version, but the free tier is sufficient for casual users who avoid risky downloads. The premium version includes features like sandbox scanning and ransomware protection.

Note that some malware specifically disables antivirus services — if you can't re-enable Avast after shutdown, boot into Safe Mode, restore a system checkpoint, or consult the Windows Event Viewer for forced-disable logs.

Related Guides

Learn more about choosing between Avast free antivirus and premium to understand which features matter for your threat model. If login issues arise after reinstalling, check Avast account access troubleshooting.

Avast how to turn off: use the tray menu for quick pauses, Settings for selective shield control, or Control Panel for complete uninstallation. Each approach serves different needs — temporary disabling for troubleshooting, permanent removal when switching to competitors like Avira or ESET.