- Step 1. Go to the Windows taskbar and search for the orange Avast icon. Then, right-click on it and find “Avast shields control.” Choose one of the options – disable for 10 minutes OR 1 hour OR until computer restart OR permanently.
- Step 2. Confirm your choice by tapping YES when Avast asks you. Done! Avast antivirus and all the shields should be paused for the period you have chosen.
- Step 3. To check whether the antivirus is really disabled, just open its main window. If it is red and says “All antivirus shields are off” then everything worked as it should. To return the function, click on the button “Resolve” and wait for a second to see the message “You’re protected.”
How to Disable Specific Avast Shields?
Sometimes turning off some of Avast shields should be enough to be able to download the required app or unblock a particular website. Here is what you have to do to use this option.
- Step 1. From the Avast user interface, go to “Protection” and then “Core Shields”. Or in the bottom left corner of the Avast interface find “Settings” and then go to “Components” (can be “Active Protection” if you are using an older version). You will see the list of all Avast shields. Find the ones you want to turn off and click on the switcher. You will have four options – pause the shield for 10 minutes OR 1 hour OR until computer restart OR permanently. Make your choice.
- Step 2. If the shield was successfully turned off, you will see the switch change to “OFF” and the message “File Shield is now off”. To get it back, tap the button “Turn on” and wait for a second until it turns green and you see the message “You’re protected”.
Bottom Line
No matter if you need to disable Avast antivirus as a whole or just a few of its shields, you can do it easily. And it doesn’t matter which product you use – Avast Antivirus Pro, Avast Ultimate, Avast Internet Security, or Avast Premier. You may even delete the software completely (which is not recommended though).
However, make sure you get your protection back once you resolve the issue.