Avast Clear (Avast Uninstall Utility)

Avast Clear 26.4.10932.0 is the official Avast Uninstall Utility for Windows, a free tool that removes Avast antivirus products when the usual uninstall in Windows settings does not work. Download Avast Clear if Avast refuses to uninstall, leaves broken services behind or blocks the installation of another security program.

Quick facts

• Developer: AVAST Software.
• Version: 26.4.10932.0.
• Platform: Windows.
• Licence: freeware.
• File: about 17.28 MB, according to catalogue data.
• Purpose: complete removal of Avast security products.

Why a separate removal tool exists

An antivirus is not an ordinary program. It installs drivers that sit deep in the system, protects its own files against tampering and registers services that start before the desktop appears. That self-defence is exactly what makes it hard to remove when something goes wrong: an interrupted update, a damaged installation or a failed upgrade can leave the product half-installed, and the normal uninstaller then stops with an error. Leftover drivers may also conflict with a different antivirus, which is why security vendors publish dedicated cleanup tools. Avast Clear is Avast's version of such a tool. It starts in Safe Mode, where the protection modules are not loaded, and deletes program files, drivers, services and registry entries of the selected Avast product. After a restart the system is ready for a clean reinstall of Avast or for another product.

How to use Avast Clear

1. Download the utility from the official page avast.com/uninstall-utility.
2. Save your work and run the file; confirm the offer to restart Windows in Safe Mode.
3. In Safe Mode, the utility opens automatically. Check the installation folder and choose the Avast product to remove.
4. Click Uninstall and wait until the process ends.
5. Restart the computer normally.

If you installed Avast in a custom folder, point the utility to that folder, otherwise some files will stay behind.

Things to know before running it

• Once Avast is removed, the PC has no third-party antivirus. Make sure Microsoft Defender turns on, or install another product right away.
• Settings, quarantine and licence data stored locally are deleted. Keep your subscription details from your Avast account at hand.
• Use the tool only for Avast products; for other vendors, use their own removal utilities.
• Download it only from avast.com. Fake "uninstallers" from third-party pages are a known source of adware.

Price

The utility is free and does not require an Avast account.

Pros and cons

• Pro: removes Avast when the standard uninstall fails.
• Pro: official tool from the developer.
• Pro: no installation needed, just run the file.
• Con: requires a restart into Safe Mode.
• Con: works only for Avast products.

Alternatives

If you are replacing Avast, our site has other security products: Avira Free Security, Bitdefender Antivirus, Malwarebytes and AVG Antivirus. For removing adware left after unwanted installs, there is AdwCleaner.