Need help uninstalling

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I got on my laptop when I got home and there was an Avast Free Antivirus icon on my desktop, no one had been home to be on the computer, so it has somehow installed itself. I went to uninstall it and it isn't showing up in my installed programs. I went online to figure out how to uninstall it and followed instructions with no results. Tried again except forced it to start up in safe mode, thinking I may not have got it to go into safe mode. I have tried uninstalling this random program I didn't install in the first place at least 5 or 6 times. I tried contacting support and they won't talk to you unless you paid for it and when I finally did find the support number the office isn't open even though it says beside the number it is open 24 hours a day. I have followed the screenshot instructions, video instructions on youtube, and my girlfriend has attempted to uninstall it with absolutely NO results. Now instead of having one Avast icon I have the one that popped up and the uninstall tool and I can't get rid of either of them. I'm so irritated at this point, I need SOMEONE to help me get this off my computer.

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UPDATE: I now somehow have three Avast icons after the attempt I just made, while doing everything as the instructions say. I have an HP 2000 Notebook PC with Windows 8.1, by the way.

[bob3160]

How to uninstall Avast:
https://support.avast.com/en-us/article/Uninstall-Antivirus

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I did that. Multiple times. I read every word and followed every detail 5 or 6 times. Well, 6 or 7 now. All it did was pop up with yet another icon that I can't get rid of. They don't show up in my list of things I can uninstall and I need them to not be taking up space.

[bob3160]

Run the Avast cleanup tool and follow the instructions.

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I did. 6 or 7 times. I have followed the instructions step by step rereading them two or three times every time.

[bob3160]

Sorry but something wasn't done correctly or you wouldn't have your current situation. Since I can't see your computer, I can't see what you did or missed.

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I didn't miss anything. I followed the instructions step for step. I can follow simple instructions.