How to turn off Avast antivirus for Windows and Mac in 2025
Have you ever been stuck trying to install software, only to have your antivirus block it? That was my situation last year when a legacy printer driver failed because Avast kept flagging it. The solution was to disable Avast briefly, install the driver, and turn protection back on. Knowing how to do this safely is essential.
In 2025, Avast remains one of the most popular antivirus solutions worldwide. It provides strong protection against malware, ransomware, and phishing attempts. However, sometimes its shields can interfere with legitimate apps, development tools, or network configurations. This is where temporarily disabling Avast can save time and frustration.
In this detailed guide, you will learn:
How to turn off Avast on Windows and Mac
The difference between partial and complete disabling
The risks of turning antivirus off and how to stay safe
How to reactivate protection when you are done
Why and when you may need to turn off Avast
There are valid scenarios for temporarily disabling your antivirus:
Installing trusted software that Avast mistakenly blocks
Debugging local servers or apps that require system-level access
Testing VPNs or network tools blocked by the firewall
Reducing lag in high-performance gaming or editing tasks
I once had to disable the Web Shield to test a Python-based local server. Without this, the firewall would have blocked every request.
⚠️ Important: You should never disable Avast without precautions. Disconnect from the internet if possible, and always check the source of the file or software you are working with.
Turning off Avast on Windows
There are two main approaches:
1. Using the system tray
Right-click the Avast icon in the Windows tray
Select “Manage shields” and choose a duration: 10 minutes, 1 hour, until restart, or permanently
Confirm with OK
This is fast and effective for small tasks like software installation.
2. Disabling from Avast settings
Open Avast > Menu > Settings > Protection > Core Shields
Toggle off specific shields: File, Web, Mail, Behavior
Choose how long you want them disabled
The second method is better if you only need to disable one shield. For example, you can stop File Shield while still keeping Web Shield active.
Turning off Avast on Mac
The process is slightly different but just as straightforward:
Open Avast Security
Go to Core Shields
Toggle off File, Web, and Email shields individually
Select a time frame
If Avast won’t disable, check your macOS permissions under Privacy & Security. Sometimes Avast requires Full Disk Access to adjust shields.
How to re-enable Avast
Once you are done, always turn your shields back on. You can:
Return to Core Shields and toggle everything back on
Or right-click the Avast tray icon and enable all shields
I always confirm by checking the dashboard for the green “Protected” status and running a quick scan.
Risks of leaving Avast off
Disabling Avast removes real-time protection. This exposes your system to:
Drive-by malware infections
Unchecked phishing emails
Zero-day exploits
As OWASP warns, even short-term gaps in security create an attack window.
If you need backup protection, Windows Defender often activates automatically on Windows 10/11. On Mac, Gatekeeper and XProtect offer minimal coverage.
Safer alternatives if you need Avast off longer
Use Malwarebytes Free for quick on-demand scans
Stay offline during risky tasks
Isolate programs in a sandbox or virtual machine
Enable built-in browser protections
These options can help, but they are no substitute for full antivirus coverage.
Final thoughts
Avast is a strong security suite, but knowing how to turn it off safely gives you flexibility. Whether you need to install trusted software, debug, or troubleshoot network issues, the key is to disable only what you must, for as little time as possible, and always turn it back on afterward.
For a complete step-by-step walkthrough with images, check the full article here:
https://safelyo.com/how-to-turn-off-avast-antivirus/
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