Antivirus Removal5 min read
Complete Avast Removal Guide for Windows 11
Avast often survives a normal uninstall through self-defense, services and bundled apps. Here is how to completely remove Avast from Windows 11, step by step.
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Step-by-step guide 20 min Moderate
How to Remove Avast Antivirus Completely from Windows
Avast protects itself with a self-defense module and several kernel drivers, which is why a normal uninstall can fail or leave pieces behind. Here is the manual method using Avast Clear in Safe Mode, plus the UniClean way with a backup of everything removed.
Why Avast is hard to remove
- Avast Self-Defense blocks attempts to stop its services or delete its files while the antivirus is running.
- It installs several kernel drivers, such as aswbidsdriver and aswSP, that stay loaded until Windows restarts.
- Avast often brings extra products like Avast Secure Browser, Avast Online Security or a VPN, each of which needs separate removal.
- The official cleanup tool, Avast Clear, works best from Safe Mode, which adds extra steps.
What gets left behind
These are the locations a standard uninstall commonly misses.
| Location | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast | folder | Main program folder. |
C:\ProgramData\Avast Software | folder | Virus definitions, logs and settings. |
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Avast Software | registry | Product configuration keys. |
avast! Antivirus | service | Main Avast service, protected by Self-Defense. |
aswbidsdriver | driver | Avast behavior shield driver. |
aswSP | driver | Avast self-protection driver. |
Avast Online Security | extension | Browser extension installed alongside the antivirus. |
Method 1: Remove Avast manually
The Windows-only way. It works, but takes longer and has no undo.
- 1
Turn off Self-Defense
Open Avast, go to Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting and clear the Enable Self-Defense checkbox.
- 2
Uninstall from Settings
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Avast Free Antivirus or your Avast product and select Uninstall, then confirm in the Avast setup window.
- 3
Restart Windows
Restart to unload the Avast drivers.
- 4
Download Avast Clear
Download avastclear.exe from Avast support and save it to your desktop.
- 5
Run Avast Clear in Safe Mode
Run avastclear.exe, allow it to restart Windows in Safe Mode, select your Avast product and click Uninstall, then restart normally.
- 6
Remove extra Avast apps
Uninstall Avast Secure Browser, Avast SecureLine VPN or Avast Cleanup if they are listed, and remove the Avast Online Security extension.
- 7
Check for leftover folders
Delete C:\Program Files\Avast Software and C:\ProgramData\Avast Software if they remain.
Method 2: Remove Avast with UniClean
Faster, complete, and reversible — everything is backed up to the Recovery Vault first.
- 1
Scan your PC
Run a UniClean scan to list every Avast product, driver, service and extension.
- 2
Review Risk Tiers
Avast drivers are marked High Risk, so UniClean forces a Recovery Vault backup before removal.
- 3
Run the Antivirus Remover
Select Avast. UniClean handles Self-Defense by stopping protected services or scheduling their removal at next boot, without manual Safe Mode.
- 4
Sweep leftovers
The Leftover Scanner clears remaining folders, registry keys, services and tasks after the uninstall.
- 5
Restart and restore if needed
Restart Windows. Anything removed can be restored in one click from the Restore Center.
Pro tips
- AVG uses the same engine as Avast, so the same approach works for AVG with its own AVG Clear tool.
- If the Avast uninstaller says another installation is in progress, restart and try again.
- Remove Avast Secure Browser only after exporting bookmarks and passwords you want to keep.
- Check Startup Manager afterwards for Avast tray entries that may be left behind.
Avast: frequently asked questions
Avast Clear, avastclear.exe, is the official Avast uninstall utility for cases where the normal uninstaller fails. It is designed to run in Safe Mode.
Self-Defense is blocking changes. Turn it off under Settings > General > Troubleshooting, or use Avast Clear.
No. Microsoft Defender turns on automatically once Avast is removed.
It is a separate product and stays installed unless you remove it, so uninstall it as well if you do not use it.
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Remove Avast safely with UniClean
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