To turn off Avast antivirus temporarily, open the Avast app, go to Protection or Settings, and choose to stop or pause the shields for 10 minutes, an hour, until you restart, or until you turn them back on. Do this only briefly and only for software you fully trust, because your computer is more exposed while protection is off.
Key takeaways
- You can pause Avast from the system tray icon or from inside the app.
- Choose the shortest pause that does the job, such as 10 minutes.
- Prefer adding an exception for a trusted file or site over disabling everything.
- Switch protection back on straight away, then run a quick scan.
Before you turn off Avast
Antivirus software protects you from malware, ransomware, phishing sites and other threats. When shields are off, a malicious download can run without being checked. Ask yourself whether you truly need to disable it. Common good reasons include installing a trusted program that Avast wrongly blocks, running a legitimate tool that is flagged as a false positive, or troubleshooting a conflict with another security product.
A few safety habits will keep you safe:
- Only download the file from the official publisher’s website.
- Consider disconnecting from the internet while protection is paused, if the install does not require it.
- Do not browse, open email attachments or visit unknown sites while shields are off.
- Re-enable protection as soon as the task is finished.
How to turn off Avast antivirus on Windows
The quickest route is the system tray. The exact menu names vary slightly between Avast versions (Free Antivirus, Premium Security and so on), but the steps are similar.
- Find the Avast icon in the notification area at the bottom right of the screen. If you do not see it, click the small up arrow to show hidden icons.
- Right-click the Avast icon.
- Choose Avast shields control.
- Select a time option: Disable for 10 minutes, Disable for 1 hour, Disable until computer is restarted or Disable permanently.
- If Windows asks for confirmation, approve it. Avast may ask you to confirm that you want to stop all shields.
Avoid the permanent option unless you plan to install another security product straight away. Windows also has its own Microsoft Defender protection, which usually takes over when a third-party antivirus is removed, but check this in Windows Security.
Using the Avast window
- Open Avast from the Start menu.
- Go to Protection (or Core Shields in some versions).
- Click the shield you want to stop and choose Turn off, then select how long.
- Confirm the prompt.
The central panel normally shows a warning colour when protection is off, which is a helpful reminder to turn it back on.
Turning off Avast on a Mac
On macOS, open Avast Security from the menu bar or from Applications. Look for the Core Shields or the Protection settings and switch the relevant shield off. You may be asked for your Mac password. Note that Avast offers more limited controls on Mac than on Windows, and some options are in a Preferences menu. If you cannot find the shield switch, check the official Avast support pages for your version.
Android and iPhone
Mobile apps are different. On Android, Avast Mobile Security has individual features that you can toggle in its settings. On an iPhone, antivirus apps cannot scan other apps as they could on a computer, so there is rarely a need to pause anything. If something appears blocked, review the app’s settings for web protection or VPN features.
A safer alternative: add an exception
If Avast keeps blocking a trusted file, adding an exception is usually safer than turning protection off entirely.
- Open Avast and go to Menu, then Settings.
- Choose General, then Exceptions.
- Click Add exception and select the file, folder or website address.
- Save the change.
Only add things you know are safe. If you are not certain, you can upload a suspicious file to a reputable online scanner or check with the software publisher first.
| Option | Best for | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Pause for 10 minutes | Short installers | Low if you stay careful |
| Disable until restart | Longer installs requiring a reboot | Medium |
| Add an exception | One trusted file or site | Lowest |
| Disable permanently | Replacing Avast with another product | High if nothing replaces it |
Turning Avast back on
After the pause timer ends, Avast normally turns itself back on. If you chose a long option, do it manually: right-click the tray icon, open Avast shields control and choose the enable option, or open the app and click Turn on next to the red warning. Then run a Smart Scan to check that nothing slipped in while you were unprotected.
If you want to remove or stop the service in a deeper way, our longer guide on how to disable the Avast service covers the more advanced route, including what to expect afterwards.
Troubleshooting
- The option is greyed out: Run Avast as administrator, or check whether a self-defence setting is active.
- Avast turns on again by itself: This is expected after the timer; choose a longer option if you really need it.
- No icon in the tray: Open the app from the Start menu, or restart your computer.
- The app still blocked after pausing: The blocker may be Windows Defender SmartScreen or your firewall. Check Windows Security. For help, visit the Microsoft support website.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to turn off Avast?
Briefly and carefully, yes, as long as you trust whatever you are installing and re-enable protection immediately afterwards.
How do I stop Avast blocking a website?
Add the site to the Exceptions list in the Avast settings instead of disabling protection. Only do this for sites you trust.
Will Windows Defender protect me while Avast is off?
Windows Defender usually switches on when no other antivirus is active, but it may be limited while Avast is merely paused. Check Windows Security to see the status.
Can I turn off just one shield?
Yes. In Core Shields you can turn individual shields, such as File Shield or Web Shield, off for a chosen time.
How do I know that Avast is back on?
The main window shows that you are protected, and the tray icon loses its warning mark. If in doubt, run a Smart Scan.
Conclusion
You can turn off Avast antivirus in a few clicks, but the golden rule is to keep the pause as short as possible. Use the tray menu for a timed pause, prefer exceptions for single trusted files, and switch everything back on when you are done to keep your device protected.
Key takeaways about turn off avast antivirus
Here is a short summary of turn off avast antivirus so you can find the main points quickly.
- To turn off Avast antivirus temporarily, open the Avast app, go to Protection or Settings, and choose to stop or pause the shields for 10 minutes, an hour, until you restart, or until you turn them back on.
- Antivirus software protects you from malware, ransomware, phishing sites and other threats.
- A few safety habits will keep you safe:
- Avoid the permanent option unless you plan to install another security product straight away.
If you only remember one thing about turn off avast antivirus, make it the practical steps covered in this guide.
Check official sources before acting on anything related to turn off avast antivirus, because details can change over time.
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