How to Turn Off AVG Antivirus on Windows and Mac

How to disable AVG antivirus temporarily or permanently

You can turn off AVG antivirus in three ways: pause real-time protection for a set time, disable it entirely until you restart your computer, or uninstall it completely. The method you choose depends on whether you need the protection back automatically or want to remove it altogether. Pausing is the safest option if you're troubleshooting a problem or installing software that AVG is blocking — your protection resumes on its own after the timer runs out.

AVG runs two main protection layers: real-time scanning (which watches files as you use them) and the shield (which blocks threats before they reach your system). Disabling one does not disable the other, so you may need to turn off both if a program is being blocked. On Windows, you control these from the AVG user interface. On Mac, the process is similar but the menu names differ slightly.

Key Takeaways

Pausing AVG protection for 10 minutes to 1 hour is the fastest way to let a blocked program run without fully disabling the antivirus.
To disable AVG until the next restart, open the program, find the shield icon, and select "Disable" — protection turns back on automatically when you reboot.
Uninstalling AVG requires you to open Control Panel (Windows) or Applications (Mac) and remove it from your installed programs list.
After disabling AVG, restart your computer to ensure all protection processes have stopped before installing software or making system changes.

Pause AVG protection for a set time on Windows

Pausing is the quickest way to let AVG stop blocking something temporarily. Open the AVG window by clicking the icon in your system tray (bottom right of your screen) or searching for "AVG" in the Windows Start menu. Look for a shield icon or a button labeled "Protection" or "Real-time scanning."

Click the shield icon or the pause button next to it. A menu will appear asking how long you want to pause — options are usually 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or until the next restart. Select your time frame. AVG will resume protection automatically when the timer expires or when you restart your computer, whichever comes first. A notification will appear when protection resumes.

Disable AVG completely until restart on Windows

If pausing is not enough and you need to fully disable AVG, open the AVG window and look for a settings or menu button (often three horizontal lines or a gear icon). Navigate to "Protection" or "Real-time scanning" and select "Disable." AVG will ask you to confirm — click "Yes" or "Disable" again to proceed.

When you disable AVG this way, all active protection stops immediately, but the program remains installed on your computer. Protection automatically turns back on the next time you restart. This method is safer than uninstalling because you do not have to reinstall AVG later if you change your mind. If AVG does not restart protection after you reboot, open the program and manually enable it again.

Uninstall AVG from Windows

To remove AVG entirely, open the Windows Start menu and type "Control Panel." Click the Control Panel icon, then select "Programs" or "Programs and Features." Scroll down the list until you find "AVG" or "AVG Internet Security" and click it once to highlight it. A button labeled "Uninstall" or "Remove" will appear — click it.

Windows will ask you to confirm the uninstall. Click "Yes" or "Uninstall" again. AVG will remove itself from your computer, and you may be prompted to restart. After the restart, AVG will no longer run in the background. If you want to reinstall AVG later, you can download it from the AVG website and run the installer.

Disable or uninstall AVG on Mac

On Mac, open the AVG window from your Applications folder or by clicking the AVG icon in the menu bar (top of the screen). Look for a menu option labeled "AVG" or a settings icon. Select "Preferences" or "Settings," then find "Protection" or "Real-time scanning." Click the toggle or button next to it to turn protection off.

To uninstall AVG on Mac, open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder. Find "AVG" or "AVG Internet Security" in the list, right-click it, and select "Move to Trash." Empty the Trash to complete the removal. Some versions of AVG include an uninstaller application in the Applications folder — if you see one, double-click it and follow the prompts instead. Restart your Mac after uninstalling to ensure all AVG processes have stopped.

What to do if AVG will not disable

If the disable button is grayed out or does not respond, AVG may be running in a protected mode that prevents changes without administrator permission. Right-click the AVG icon and select "Run as administrator" (Windows) or close and reopen the program (Mac). Try disabling again from the main window.

If AVG still will not disable, restart your computer in Safe Mode (Windows) or Safe Boot (Mac), then try disabling or uninstalling from there. Safe Mode loads only essential Windows or Mac services, which sometimes allows you to remove software that is stuck. After you finish, restart normally. If you are still unable to disable AVG, contact AVG support or visit their website for troubleshooting steps specific to your version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling AVG leave my computer unprotected?

Yes. When AVG is disabled or paused, it stops scanning files and blocking threats. If you are disabling it to install a program or troubleshoot an issue, do so quickly and re-enable protection as soon as you finish. Do not leave your computer unprotected for extended periods, especially if you browse the internet or download files.

Can I pause AVG while it is scanning?

Yes. If AVG is running a scan and you need to pause protection, click the pause button in the main window. The scan will stop, and protection will resume after the timer expires or when you restart. You can also stop an active scan by clicking "Stop scan" or a similar button in the scanning window.

What is the difference between pausing and disabling AVG?

Pausing temporarily stops protection for a set time (10 minutes to 1 hour), then automatically resumes. Disabling turns off all protection until you restart your computer. Pausing is safer because protection comes back on its own; disabling requires you to manually re-enable it or restart to restore protection.

Do I need to uninstall AVG before installing a different antivirus?

Yes. Running two antivirus programs at the same time can cause conflicts, slow your computer, and create false alerts. Uninstall AVG completely before installing another antivirus program. After the new program is installed and running, restart your computer to confirm there are no conflicts.

Will my computer restart automatically after I disable AVG?

No. Disabling AVG does not trigger an automatic restart. You must manually restart your computer to fully re-enable protection. If you want protection to resume without restarting, use the pause feature instead and set it to resume after a specific time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.