Why Uninstall Avira?
Before we dive into the uninstallation process, it’s essential to understand why you may want to remove Avira from your computer. Here are some common reasons:
- Switching to a different antivirus program
- Experiencing conflicts with other software
- Upgrading to a new version or a different edition of Avira
- Resolving performance issues or system slowdowns
Step 1: Close Avira and Disable Real-Time Protection
Before uninstalling any software, it’s crucial to close all the running processes and disable its real-time protection. Here’s how you can do it for Avira:
- Locate the Avira icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen).
- Right-click the Avira icon and select “Exit” or “Quit” to close the program.
- To disable real-time protection, right-click the Avira icon again and navigate to the “Real-Time Protection” or “Shield Control” option. Choose to turn it off.
Step 2: Uninstall Avira using the Control Panel
The next step is to uninstall Avira using the Control Panel. Follow these steps:
- Open the Control Panel on your computer. You can access it by clicking the “Start” menu and searching for “Control Panel.”
- Once in the Control Panel, locate the “Programs” or “Programs and Features” option and click on it.
- A list of installed programs will appear. Find “Avira” in the list and select it.
- Click on the “Uninstall” or “Remove” button at the top of the programs list.
- Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the Avira uninstaller to complete the process.
Step 3: Remove Avira Leftover Files and Registry Entries
The uninstallation process may not remove all the files and registry entries associated with Avira. To ensure a clean uninstall, follow these steps:
- Open “File Explorer” or “Windows Explorer” by pressing the Windows key and E simultaneously.
- In the address bar, type “%appdata%” and press Enter. Delete the “Avira” folder if it still exists.
- Type “%programdata%” in the address bar and press Enter. Delete the “Avira” folder, if present.
- Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to open the “Run” dialog box. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- In the Registry Editor, navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Avira
and delete the “Avira” folder. - Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Avira
and delete the “Avira” folder.
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
After completing the above steps, it’s recommended to restart your computer to finalize the uninstallation process. Restarting will ensure any residual files or processes are completely removed from your system.
That’s it! You have successfully uninstalled Avira from your computer. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful in assisting you with the removal process. Remember, if you ever decide to reinstall Avira or switch to a different antivirus program, always make sure to download it from a trusted source.
Disclaimer: The steps mentioned in this guide may vary slightly depending on your operating system and the version of Avira installed on your computer. Always refer to the official Avira documentation for specific instructions.