Tried to uninstall Avast prior to 1903 install, but couldn't.

I've been told that in order to avoid problems when installing Windows 1903 from an .iso file, it would be best to turn off or uninstall any Antivirus programs. I have Avast and used IOBitUninstaller and it appeared at first to be a successful uninstall, but the icon for Avast is still on my home screen, Task Manager still shows it to be running, and I keep getting pop-up notifications from Avast. But when I use any uninstaller to locate Avast in order to get rid of it, it doesn't show up anywhere. So what do I do now?

Hi Delly, I havent used an AV during the past 10 years but a few months ago, I uninstalled Avast for a friend, to uninstall Avast, I had to disable the tamper protection setting it has. Look for the setting and disable it. I dont remember what Avast calls the setting but thats what you got to do. The setting is supposed to keep malware from disabling or uninstalling Avast. After you disable the setting, you ll be able to easily uninstall Avast from Control panel.

Bo

SoFine409 said:

Try this Avast Uninstall Utility | Download aswClear for Avast Removal

The instructions for that program says I have to restart Windows in "Safe Mode". How do I do that?

I used avast recently on one of my machines and it's easy to uninstall if you disable the self protection module in settings (the term avast uses for tamper protection). I think this is in the troubleshooting section of the settings but I'm only going by memory. If you disable that (ensure you OK it when you get the pop up asking you if you meant to do that), then uninstall via the control panel & reboot, then avast will be uninstalled.

I ran the avast uninstall utility linked to above as well after uninstalling from the control panel & rebooting, just to get rid of leftovers. If you run the utility in normal mode it will say it will restart in safe mode to complete this, and restart into safe mode automatically without you having to do any of the usual measures to start in safe mode.

catspyjamas said:

I used avast recently on one of my machines and it's easy to uninstall if you disable the self protection module in settings (the term avast uses for tamper protection). I think this is in the troubleshooting section of the settings but I'm only going by memory. If you disable that (ensure you OK it when you get the pop up asking you if you meant to do that), then uninstall via the control panel & reboot, then avast will be uninstalled.

I ran the avast uninstall utility linked to above as well after uninstalling from the control panel & rebooting, just to get rid of leftovers. If you run the utility in normal mode it will say it will restart in safe mode to complete this, and restart into safe mode automatically without you having to do any of the usual measures to start in safe mode.

I think I have the solution now. Even though Avast doesn't show up in the Windows uninstall app. or IOBit Uninstaller when I look for it in their listings, I found that if I right-click the Avast icon in the home screen, IOBit Uninstaller comes up in the pop out menu so I can use it. I have the "Enable Self Defense" box unchecked in Avast now, so I should be ok now. Just have to go through with the uninstallation of Avast now and then I can upgrade to Windows 1903 (from 1709). And yes, I already downloaded the .iso file to do that.