Remove avast! from computer

[REDACTED]

Avast did not work to clean up my computer, and now I have a full program I'm installing that tells me I need to uninstall avast.  I did, and tried deleting any files I could find, but the files won't let me delete them.  It also won't let me end the process through task manager, saying "Access denied".

Please let me know how to remove this program immediately. 

Thanks!

[Eddy]

I hope I understand you correctly.

1)
avast, as well as all other malware removers, can't detect/remove everything.

2)
What application is telling you to uninstall avast?
It can be a malicious application that is telling you.

3)
Ofcourse you just can't remove avast by just removing the files.
avast has a protection against it.
You don't want malware to remove a trusted av, right?

4)
Why didn't you tried to remove avast in a normal way?

[REDACTED]

On windows XP, I would open Control Panel and then open Add Remove Programs. The process is just about the same with most Windows systems. The best source of reference is Microsoft. The link below gives simple instructions on how to do this with Windows 7.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/uninstall-change-program#uninstall-change-program=windows-7

When uninstalling an antivirus program, make sure you are not connected to the internet. After you have removed Avast, install your new Antivirus program before connecting to the internet again.

You may need to remove some remaining items from the Avast folder in program files. There could also be other files left over in other locations such as Application Data Folder so you may wish to search your hard drive for folders that may relate to Avast. Not catching everything should not really matter though. Once your new antivirus program is up and running, and you are satisfied, you might want to do a more thorough job and use the famous CCleaner program, by Piriform, to remove entries from the Registry. Always create a backup of the registry first - CCleaner gives you the option to do so.

If the uninstallation fails for some reason, then you will need to disable Avast at startup. Here's a link to show you how to disable programs at startup.

http://www.howtogeek.com/74523/how-to-disable-startup-programs-in-windows/

Disable startup programs or processes containing the words Alwil or Avast. Then reboot and try everything above once more.

Don't go online without an antivirus (of some kind) to protect your system. One more thing: you might want to purge all items in the Avast virus chest before doing all of the above. Just delete them. I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but it's best to not take any chances.

[bob3160]

To remove avast! go to control panel > add/remove select avast and select uninstall
Next you'll need to use the avast Removal Tool download link and instructions available at:
http://www.avast.com/en-us/uninstall-utility
You also need to make sure all other AV's are removed before installing the AV you want to install.
Download all the needed programs before you remove anything. Once that's done, get off the INTERNET and proceed
with the removal and installation.

[REDACTED]

Ah, tools like that are good to know about. Much easier than struggling trying to remove things manually.

[bob3160]

Ah, tools like that are good to know about. Much easier than struggling trying to remove things manually.

One of the reasons to learn before giving advice. I'm sure you wouldn't want to receive advice that makes thing harder.

[REDACTED]

Ah, tools like that are good to know about. Much easier than struggling trying to remove things manually.

One of the reasons to learn before giving advice. I'm sure you wouldn't want to receive advice that makes thing harder.

No of course not. The advice I gave was general advice suitable for uninstalling many programs manually. When all else fails though, it's good to know about alternatives. Even after using a tool such as this (or the norton removal tool), I would still check program files and run CCleaner.

[Cluster-Lizard2014]

You seem to have misunderstood what the AVAST removal tool actually does. It is not an alternative.

The purpose of the AVAST removal tool is that it is essential to use it (in the way earlier described) as you can't get rid of all of AVAST's components just by using the normal Windows Add/Remove Programs facility.

Even a 'deep' uninstall using Norton Power Eraser or Piriform's Revo Uninstaller, which runs the program's own uninstaller then hunts down and allows removal of registry entries and any other leftovers, will not completely uninstall AVAST. You need to use this specifically designed tool to do the job properly.     

[REDACTED]

Are you quoting fact, because I don't accept it is impossible to manually remove all of Avast's components. If it can be done using a specific tool, then it can be done and that's all there is to it. I'm not saying it's necessarily easy, nor the way to go, but logic dictates that you can overwrite data on your hard drive.

[bob3160]

Are you quoting fact, because I don't accept it is impossible to manually remove all of Avast's components. If it can be done using a specific tool, then it can be done and that's all there is to it. I'm not saying it's necessarily easy, nor the way to go, but logic dictates that you can overwrite data on your hard drive.

I'm sorry but arguing about semantics makes no sense.
There's a right and easy way to accomplish the task and then,
there's your method which is very cumbersome and not something for the average computer user to attempt.

[REDACTED]

I'm sorry but arguing about semantics makes no sense.
There's a right and easy way to accomplish the task and then,
there's your method which is very cumbersome and not something for the average computer user to attempt.

I didn't know the tool existed and I'm glad you told me. Not all programs have adequate uninstallers so I consider the information I posted potentially useful. Someone asked 'how do I get rid of Avast right now?' I gave them a method and you came along and suggested a better method which I agreed with. Then someone tells me that it is essential to use the tool, which is theoretically - oh never mind. I like your avatar BTW.

[Cluster-Lizard2014]

I did consider my words and I came to the conculsion that it would be unnecessarily pedantic to qualify the use of the word essential with the addition of almost.