How to Uninstall Avast Antivirus That Was Installed Without Consent on Your Windows 10 PC

If you have found unexpected Avast antivirus software on your new computer and you're having trouble removing it, you're not alone. Many users encounter this issue. Here are several steps you can take to completely remove Avast from your system.

1. Use the Avast Uninstall Utility

Avast provides a dedicated uninstaller that can help remove the software. Follow these steps to use it:

Download the Avast Uninstall Utility Boot into Safe Mode Run the Uninstall Utility

Download the Avast Uninstall Utility

To begin, visit the Avast Uninstall Utility page and download the uninstall tool.

Boot into Safe Mode

Restart your computer and press F8 or Shift F8 before Windows starts to load. Select Safe Mode from the menu.

Run the Uninstall Utility

Open the downloaded utility and follow the instructions to remove Avast.

2. Remove via Control Panel

If the uninstall utility does not work, you can try using the Control Panel:

Go to Control Panel Navigate to Programs and Features Find Avast and Uninstall

Go to Control Panel

Press Windows R, type control and hit Enter.

Navigate to Programs and Features

Click on Uninstall a program (or Programs and Features).

Find Avast and Uninstall

Look for Avast in the list, select it, and click on Uninstall. Follow any prompts.

3. Use Third-party Uninstaller

If the above methods don't work, you can use a third-party uninstaller tool like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller. These tools can help remove stubborn programs and clean up residual files.

4. Check for Remaining Files

After uninstalling, check for any remaining files:

File Explorer AppData

File Explorer

Navigate to C:Program Files and C:Program Files (x86) and delete any remaining Avast folders.

AppData

Press Windows R, type appdata, and delete any Avast folders present.

5. Registry Cleanup (Advanced)

If you feel comfortable editing the registry, you can remove any leftover registry entries:

Open Registry Editor Backup the Registry Navigate to Avast Entries Delete Related Keys

Open Registry Editor

Press Windows R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

Backup the Registry

Click on File > Export to back up the registry.

Navigate to Avast Entries

Check under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareAvast and HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareAvast and delete any related keys.

Delete Related Keys

Delete the keys that correspond to Avast software.

6. Restart Your Computer

After completing the above steps, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.

7. Install Alternative Antivirus if Needed

If you need antivirus protection, consider installing an alternative solution once Avast is fully removed.

Following these steps should help you successfully uninstall Avast antivirus from your computer. If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to Avast support for further assistance.