How To Turn Off Avast

There’s something genuinely satisfying about taking control of your own tech—especially when it involves silencing an overly chatty piece of software. Turning off Avast is one of those small, practical victories that many people enjoy, whether it’s to stop those annoying pop-ups during a movie, free up system resources for a game, or just take a breather from constant updates. The main purpose is simple: you get a temporary pause on protection, which can be a lifesaver for troubleshooting or when you really need your computer to run quietly. It’s a widely appreciated trick among freelancers, gamers, and even casual users who find Avast a bit too eager to interrupt.

Before diving in, know there are a few common variations. Some users just want a quick 10-minute pause, while others need to disable it entirely for software installation. You might also be dealing with the free version or a paid subscription—both work similarly, but the settings can hide in slightly different menu spots. The key is recognizing that turning it off doesn’t mean you’re unprotected forever; it’s a temporary peace offering.

To get started, right-click the Avast icon in your system tray (the little orange ball near the clock). A small menu pops up. Hover over “Avast Shields Control”—that’s your golden ticket. Here, you’ll see options like “Disable for 10 minutes,” “1 hour,” “Until computer is restarted,” or permanently. Pick the one that fits your mood. For a quick fix, 10 minutes is usually enough to launch a heavy game or install that new software without drama.

If you’re working on a tricky tech issue, choose “Disable until restart.” This keeps everything off until you reboot, which is great for testing if Avast is interfering. Just remember to restart your computer when you’re done—it’s an easy way to automatically turn protection back on. No need to remember to flip a switch.

How To Disable/Turn Off Avast Antivirus 2018 Temporarily or Completely

For those who want to go deeper, you can open the main Avast window (double-click the tray icon). Navigate to “Menu” > “Settings” > “General” and uncheck “Enable Avast self-defense.” This allows you to permanently disable shields, but I’d only do this if you’re extremely confident in alternative security. Most people stick with the temporary options.

One final tip: if Avast keeps re-enabling itself, check for scheduled scans or game mode. Activating Game Mode in Avast can automatically suppress notifications and updates without fully disabling protection—a smart middle ground. Play around with these settings; you’ll find that a little tinkering makes Avast feel less like a bossy guardian and more like a silent helper.