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Computers and Electronics
Computers
Computer Viruses
Computer Virus Protection
How to Disable Avast Antivirus Download Article Written by Travis Boylls
Last Updated: November 16, 2025
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Using the System Tray Icon
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Using Avast Settings
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Video
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Q&A
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Warnings
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis has been a tech writer at wikiHow for more than 10 years. He has also worked in technical support for Dish Network and AT&T Wireless. He studied graphic design and web design at Pikes Peak Community College. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and video game consoles. Travis has had a fascination with computers and technology that goes all the way back to childhood. He is proficient in all manner of software and computer operating systems. This article has been viewed 161,160 times. Learn more...
If you don't want to completely uninstall Avast, you can disable its features temporarily or permanently using the icon in the System Tray or using the Avast app itself. This wikiHow teaches you how to disable Avast Antivirus.
Things You Should Know
You can disable Avast Antivirus if you don't want to uninstall it.
Right-click the Avast icon in your system tray to disable "shields control".
When using Avast settings, you'll need to navigate to "Protection" to disable "Core Shields".
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Using the System Tray Icon
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1 Right-click on the Avast icon in the System Tray. It's in the lower-right corner by default. It resembles an orange splat with an "a" in the middle. Right-click this icon to display a pop-up menu.
If you don't see the Avast icon in the System Tray, click the icon that resembles a bracket pointing up in the lower-right corner to display more System Tray icons.
2 Hover over "Avast Shields Control." It's the second option in the pop-up menu that appears when you right-click the Avast Antivirus icon in the System Tray. Advertisement
3 Choose how long you want Avast to be disabled: You have four options you can choose from. They are as follows:
Disable for 10 minutes.
Disable for 1 hour.
Disable until computer is restarted.
Disable permanently.
4 Click Ok, Stop. It's the green button in the pop-up alert. This disables Avast Antivirus.
To enable Avast Antivirus again, right-click the Avast icon in the System Tray. Then hover over "Avast Shields Control" and click Enable all shields.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Using Avast Settings
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1 Open Avast. It has an icon that resembles an orange splat with a lower-case "a" in the middle. You can either double-click the Avast icon on your desktop or Start menu or double-click the Avast icon in the System Tray.
2 Click ☰ Menu. It's the icon with three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner of the Avast main window. This displays the menu.
3 Click Settings. It's next to an icon that resembles a gear. This displays the Settings menu.
4 Click Protection. It's the second option in the panel to the left. It has an icon that resembles a lock. This displays the Protection menu.
5 Click Core Shields. It's the second option in the panel to the left. This displays the settings menu for the shields that block viruses and malware in real-time.
6 Click the toggle switch next to "Core Shields." It's at the top of the page. This disables all shields that provide Avast virus protection.
Alternatively, you can disable individual shields. To do so, scroll down and click the File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield, or Mail Shield tab. Then uncheck the checkbox at the top of the menu below the tab to disable the shield.
7 Choose how long you want to disable Avast Antivirus. You have four options you can choose from. They are as follows:
Disable for 10 minutes.
Disable for 1 hour.
Disable until computer is restarted.
Disable permanently.
8 Click Ok, Stop. It's the green button in the pop-up alert. This disables Avast Antivirus.
To enable Avast again, follow these steps to return to the "Core Shields" in the Avast app. Then click the toggle switch at the top to reenable Avast Antivirus.
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Question How do I reenable it? Bhoimus Top Answerer To enable Avast again, follow these above steps to get to the "Core Shields" in the Avast app. Then click the toggle switch at the top to reenable the antivirus. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
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Warnings
Do not turn off shields or disable Avast if you do not know, what you are doing. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 3
Never confirm disabling Avast shields if you are not doing it intentionally because some malware can ask you to disable Avast. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
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About This Article
Written by: Travis Boylls wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis has been a tech writer at wikiHow for more than 10 years. He has also worked in technical support for Dish Network and AT&T Wireless. He studied graphic design and web design at Pikes Peak Community College. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and video game consoles. Travis has had a fascination with computers and technology that goes all the way back to childhood. He is proficient in all manner of software and computer operating systems. This article has been viewed 161,160 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 10Updated: November 16, 2025 Views: 161,160 Categories: Computer Virus ProtectionArticle SummaryX
1. Right-click the Avast icon in the System Tray. 2. Hover over "Avast shields control." 3. Click one of the options for how long you want to disable Avast for. 4. Click Ok, Stop. Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Written by: Travis Boylls wikiHow Technology Writer Click a star to vote Co-authors: 10Updated: November 16, 2025 Views: 161,160
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Written by: Travis Boylls wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis has been a tech writer at wikiHow for more than 10 years. He has also worked in technical support for Dish Network and AT&T Wireless. He studied graphic design and web design at Pikes Peak Community College. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and video game consoles. Travis has had a fascination with computers and technology that goes all the way back to childhood. He is proficient in all manner of software and computer operating systems. This article has been viewed 161,160 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 10 Updated: November 16, 2025 Views: 161,160 Categories: Computer Virus Protection Article SummaryX
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1 Right-click on the Avast icon in the System Tray. It's in the lower-right corner by default. It resembles an orange splat with an "a" in the middle. Right-click this icon to display a pop-up menu. 
2 Hover over "Avast Shields Control." It's the second option in the pop-up menu that appears when you right-click the Avast Antivirus icon in the System Tray. Advertisement 
3 Choose how long you want Avast to be disabled: You have four options you can choose from. They are as follows: 
4 Click Ok, Stop. It's the green button in the pop-up alert. This disables Avast Antivirus. 
1 Open Avast. It has an icon that resembles an orange splat with a lower-case "a" in the middle. You can either double-click the Avast icon on your desktop or Start menu or double-click the Avast icon in the System Tray. 
2 Click ☰ Menu. It's the icon with three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner of the Avast main window. This displays the menu. 
3 Click Settings. It's next to an icon that resembles a gear. This displays the Settings menu. 
4 Click Protection. It's the second option in the panel to the left. It has an icon that resembles a lock. This displays the Protection menu. 
5 Click Core Shields. It's the second option in the panel to the left. This displays the settings menu for the shields that block viruses and malware in real-time. 
6 Click the toggle switch next to "Core Shields." It's at the top of the page. This disables all shields that provide Avast virus protection. 
7 Choose how long you want to disable Avast Antivirus. You have four options you can choose from. They are as follows: 
8 Click Ok, Stop. It's the green button in the pop-up alert. This disables Avast Antivirus. 
Bhoimus Top Answerer To enable Avast again, follow these above steps to get to the "Core Shields" in the Avast app. Then click the toggle switch at the top to reenable the antivirus. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1 
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