Disable Avast temporarily or permanently depending on what you're doing
You can turn off Avast antivirus in three ways: pause it for a few hours while you install software or run a file, disable individual shields without closing the whole program, or uninstall it completely. Which method you use depends on whether you want Avast running again later or whether you're replacing it with different protection.
Avast runs in the background on Windows and Mac, so you won't see a window unless you open it. The program starts automatically when your computer boots, which is why you need to know where to find the off switch. Most people pause Avast temporarily rather than uninstall it, because turning it back on takes one click.
Key Takeaways
- Pausing Avast for 10 minutes, 1 hour, or until restart is the fastest way to stop it from blocking something you're trying to do.
- You can turn off individual shields — like the file shield or web shield — without disabling the whole program.
- Uninstalling Avast requires you to restart your computer and leaves you without antivirus protection until you install something else.
- If Avast won't let you disable it, restart your computer in Safe Mode, where fewer programs run and you have more control.
- After you turn Avast back on, run a full scan to check that nothing harmful got onto your computer while protection was off.
Pause Avast for a set amount of time
Pausing Avast is the safest temporary option because the program turns itself back on automatically after the time you choose. Open the Avast window by clicking the Avast icon in your system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your screen on Windows, or the top right on Mac). If you don't see an icon, search for "Avast" in your Start menu or Applications folder and open it.
Once Avast is open, look for a button or menu that says "Pause" or shows a pause symbol (two vertical lines). Click it. Avast will show you options: pause for 10 minutes, 1 hour, or until the next restart. Choose the length of time you need. The program will show a countdown timer so you know when protection comes back on.
Pausing works best when you're installing legitimate software that Avast is incorrectly flagging as dangerous, or when you're running an older program that conflicts with real-time scanning. Do not pause Avast for longer than necessary, and always turn it back on before you browse the internet or download files from untrusted sources.
Turn off individual shields without disabling the whole program
Avast has separate shields for different types of threats: file shield (scans files as you open them), web shield (checks websites before you visit), email shield, and others. You can turn off one shield while keeping the rest running. This is useful if one shield is causing problems with a specific program but you want other protections active.
Open Avast and look for a section called "Protection" or "Shields". You'll see a list of shields with toggles next to each one. Click the toggle next to the shield you want to turn off. It will change from green (on) to gray (off). The other shields stay active and continue scanning your computer.
Turning off the file shield, for example, stops Avast from scanning files as you open them, which can speed up your computer if scanning is slowing things down. Turning off the web shield stops Avast from checking websites before you click links. Only disable the shields you actually need off — leaving unnecessary shields on gives you more protection.
Uninstall Avast completely from Windows
If you want to remove Avast entirely, use the Windows uninstaller. Click the Start button, type "Control Panel", and open it. Look for "Programs" or "Programs and Features" and click it. Scroll through the list of installed programs until you find Avast, click it, and then click "Uninstall".
Windows will ask you to confirm that you want to remove Avast. Click "Yes" or "Uninstall" again. The uninstaller may ask whether you want to keep your Avast settings or remove them completely — choose "Remove" if you don't plan to reinstall it. After the uninstall finishes, restart your computer.
Your computer will have no antivirus protection after you restart, so install a replacement immediately. Windows Defender (built into Windows 10 and 11) turns on automatically if no other antivirus is running, but it's slower than some third-party options. Do not leave your computer unprotected for more than a few minutes.
Uninstall Avast from Mac
On a Mac, open Finder and go to Applications. Find Avast in the list, right-click it, and select "Move to Trash". Some versions of Avast include an uninstaller — if you see "Avast Uninstaller" in Applications, open that instead and follow the prompts.
After you move Avast to Trash, empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in your dock and selecting "Empty Trash". Restart your Mac. Like Windows, your Mac will have no active antivirus after restart, so install a replacement before you use the internet or download files.
What to do if Avast won't let you disable it
Sometimes Avast locks its settings and won't let you pause it or turn off shields. This usually happens if you're not logged in as an administrator, or if Avast is preventing changes to protect your computer. Restart your computer in Safe Mode, where Windows loads only essential programs and you have more control over settings.
On Windows 10 or 11, hold the Shift key and click the Start button, then select "Restart". Your computer will restart into a menu. Select "Troubleshoot", then "Advanced options", then "Startup Settings". Click "Restart" again. When your computer boots, press the number for "Safe Mode" (usually 4). Once in Safe Mode, open Avast and try to pause or disable it again.
If Avast still won't respond, you can uninstall it in Safe Mode using the Control Panel method described above. Safe Mode gives you administrator-level control, so the uninstall should complete. After you restart your computer normally, install your replacement antivirus before connecting to the internet.
Turn Avast back on after you're done
If you paused Avast, it will turn itself back on when the timer runs out. If you manually turned off shields, click the toggles again to turn them back on — they'll change from gray to green. If you uninstalled Avast, you don't need to turn it back on, but make sure your replacement antivirus is running and set to start automatically when your computer boots.
After Avast is running again, open it and run a full scan. Click "Scan" or "Full Scan" and let it check your entire computer. This takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many files you have, but it catches anything that might have gotten onto your computer while protection was off. Do this even if you only paused Avast for a few minutes — it's the safest way to confirm nothing harmful slipped through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my computer get infected if I pause Avast?
Your computer is at risk while any antivirus is off, but brief pauses (10 minutes to 1 hour) are usually safe if you're not downloading files or visiting untrusted websites during that time. Pause Avast only while you're actively doing one specific task, then turn it back on immediately. Run a full scan afterward to be sure.
Can I pause Avast without opening the program?
Yes. Right-click the Avast icon in your system tray and look for a "Pause" option in the menu that appears. Not all versions show this option, so if you don't see it, open the full Avast window instead.
What's the difference between pausing and disabling a shield?
Pausing stops all protection temporarily and turns everything back on automatically. Disabling a shield turns off one type of protection (like file scanning) while leaving others running. Pause when you need everything off briefly; disable a shield when one specific protection is causing problems.
Do I need to uninstall Avast before installing a different antivirus?
Yes. Running two antivirus programs at the same time slows your computer and causes conflicts. Uninstall Avast completely, restart, then install your replacement antivirus. Do this quickly so your computer isn't unprotected for long.
Why does Avast keep turning back on after I disable it?
Avast is designed to restart protection automatically because leaving your computer unprotected is risky. If you disabled it manually, it stays off until you turn it back on. If it's turning back on by itself, check whether you set a timer when you paused it, or whether Windows Defender is starting instead.