The fastest way to uninstall AVG

The standard way to remove AVG is through your computer's built-in uninstall tool. On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps, find AVG Antivirus in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. On Mac, drag the AVG icon from Applications to the Trash, then empty the Trash. Both methods remove the program files, though some leftover settings may remain on your hard drive.

AVG also leaves behind a folder with your scan history and settings even after uninstall. If you want a completely clean removal, you will need to delete this folder manually after uninstalling the program itself. The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, and the location of these leftover files is not obvious, which is why many people use a dedicated removal tool instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can uninstall AVG through Settings > Apps, while Mac users drag the app to Trash and empty it.
  • AVG leaves behind a settings folder even after standard uninstall, located in different places on Windows and Mac.
  • AVG's own removal tool (AVG Remover) deletes the program and leftover files in one step without manual folder hunting.
  • Restart your computer after uninstall to clear any remaining processes that AVG may still be running in the background.

Uninstalling AVG on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Go to Apps in the left sidebar, then Apps & Features. Scroll down until you see AVG Antivirus, click it once, and a button labeled Uninstall will appear. Click Uninstall and follow the prompts to remove the program.

Windows will ask you to confirm the removal and may prompt you to restart your computer. Let it restart — this clears AVG processes from memory. After restart, AVG is no longer running, but the settings folder remains. To find and delete it, open File Explorer, paste this path into the address bar: C:\ProgramData\AVG. Delete the AVG folder. If you cannot see ProgramData, press Ctrl+H to show hidden folders.

Uninstalling AVG on Mac

Open Finder and navigate to Applications. Scroll down to find AVG Antivirus, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. Then open Trash (in the Dock) and click Empty to permanently delete the files. Restart your Mac to ensure all AVG processes stop running.

On Mac, AVG also stores settings in a hidden folder. To delete it, open Finder, press Command+Shift+Period to show hidden files, then navigate to ~/Library/Application Support. Look for an AVG folder and drag it to Trash. Empty Trash again. The tilde (~) represents your home folder, which Finder will take you to automatically when you open a new window.

Using AVG's official removal tool

AVG publishes its own uninstall program called AVG Remover, which removes the program and all leftover files automatically. Download it from AVG's website (search "AVG Remover"), run the installer, and it will guide you through complete removal without manual folder deletion.

This tool is useful if you are uncomfortable navigating hidden folders or if standard uninstall left AVG processes still running. AVG Remover handles both the program files and the settings folder in one operation. After it finishes, restart your computer. This method is the most thorough and requires no manual cleanup.

What to do if AVG won't uninstall

Sometimes AVG blocks its own uninstall if it detects a threat or if another program is using its files. Close all open programs first, then try uninstalling again. If it still fails, restart your computer in Safe Mode (where Windows loads only essential programs) and attempt uninstall from there.

On Windows, restart and press F8 or Shift+F8 repeatedly before the login screen appears, then select Safe Mode. On Mac, restart and hold Shift until the login screen appears. After uninstalling in Safe Mode, restart normally. If AVG still will not uninstall, use AVG Remover instead — it is designed to force removal even when the standard uninstall fails.

Checking that AVG is completely gone

After uninstall, open Task Manager (Windows: Ctrl+Shift+Esc; Mac: Command+Space, type Activity Monitor) and search for any process with "AVG" in its name. If you find one, right-click it and select End Task or Quit. Restart your computer and check Task Manager again — if no AVG processes appear, the removal is complete.

You can also check your startup programs to make sure AVG is not set to run when your computer starts. On Windows, open Task Manager, go to the Startup tab, and look for AVG. If it is there, right-click and select Disable. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items and remove AVG if it appears. These steps ensure AVG does not restart itself after you have removed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling AVG leave my computer unprotected?

Yes — after you remove AVG, your computer has no antivirus running. If you plan to use a different antivirus program, install it before uninstalling AVG, or install it immediately after. Windows includes a built-in antivirus called Windows Defender that activates automatically if no other antivirus is detected.

Can I uninstall AVG if I have an active subscription?

Yes. Uninstalling the program does not refund your subscription, but it stops the software from running. If you want to stop paying for AVG, you will need to cancel your subscription separately through AVG's website or your account settings before uninstalling.

Why does AVG leave files behind after uninstall?

AVG stores your scan history, quarantine records, and settings in a separate folder so that if you reinstall it later, your previous configuration is preserved. Most antivirus programs do this. If you do not plan to use AVG again, you can safely delete these folders.

Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling AVG?

Yes. AVG runs background processes that stay in memory even after you click Uninstall. Restarting clears these processes completely and ensures no AVG files are still active. Without a restart, some AVG components may continue running in the background.