What is Avastsvc.exe & Should I Remove it?

The avastsvc.exe is part of the Avast security software but if you’re running more than two antiviruses concurrently, one will mark the other as a false positive.

If the avastsvs.exe is quarantined, its access to the internet will be restricted which means the software cannot scan your browsing activity and your access to real-time protection will be revoked. Consequently, you may also find that the service registers high CPU usage.

If it’s a legitimate file with a digital signature from Avast, there’s no need to remove it. You can find other ways to reduce CPU usage and optimize your PC’s performance. However, if you have another security software, you’ll have to choose one to avoid conflicts.

How do I remove the Avastsvc.exe process?

1. Limit CPU usage

1. Click on the Start Menu icon, type Task Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
2. Navigate to the Details tab.
3. Right-click avastsvc.exe, and select Set affinity.
4. Now uncheck all CPUs if you don’t want the avastvboxsvc.exe using any processor.

If the problem was high CPU usage, limiting its CPU usage could address the resource usage issue but keep in mind that it may birth system instability issues.

2. Disable Avast processes

2.1 Turn off self protection

1. Open the Avast Antivirus window and click Menu at the top right of Avast Antivirus.
2. Select General on the left of Avast Antivirus.
3. Click Troubleshooting, and scroll down to the bottom of that tab.
   
4. Next, click Open old settings.
5. Select the Troubleshooting tab shown directly below.
   
6. Finally, deselect the Enable Avast self-defense module option if it’s selected.
7. Click the Yes option to confirm further.

The self protection option stops you from modifying any files so it needs to be disarmed before you can stop all related processes.

2.2 End process in Task Manager

1. Hit the Windows key, type Task Manager in the search bar, and click Open.

   

2. Navigate to the Processes tab, and find the avastsvc.exe process.
3. Right-click on it and select End task.

   

2.3 Remove Avast from Startup apps

1. Hit the Start Menu icon and click on Settings.

   

2. Click on Apps on the left pane then select Startup on the right pane.

   

3. A list of apps on Startup will appear. Find the Avast app or search for it then toggle the off button to disable. 

   

3. Run DISM and SFC scans

1. Hit the Start Menu icon, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow

4. Repair the Avast program

1. Type control panel in Windows search and open Control Panel from the results.
2. Switch to the Category view of Control Panel by selecting it from the top right-hand corner, and then select Uninstall a Program in the Programs category.
3. Scroll down this list and locate Avast. Right-click on the Avast program and hit Change.
4. Next, you will see the Avast uninstallation wizard screen showing three options – Update, Repair, and Modify. Select Repair and hit Next.
5. Follow through with the wizard, and at the end, Avast will restart with the Avast high CPU usage fixed.

5. Uninstall Avast

1. Download the Avast Uninstall tool.
2. Launch the program by right-clicking and selecting Run as administrator.
3. Click Yes to restart the window in Safe Mode.
4. Again click Yes to immediately restart your Windows 11 PC into Safe Mode.
5. When the system boots up in Safe Mode, select the location where you have installed Avast antivirus software. If you selected the default installation location during setup, then the tool will pick up the location automatically.
6. Run the avastclear.exe utility tool, and fill in the prompts that follow.
7. Click Uninstall at the bottom of the screen to uninstall Avast and clear all files.  
8. The tool will remove Avast from your PC.
9. You can download the latest version of Avast and check if the problem persists.

Using the dedicated uninstall tool from Avast is fast and easy because it removes all traces of the software from your device. However, you can still use the old-school method from the control panel but be sure to remove software remnants.

6. Perform a System Restore

1. Press the Windows + R keys, type rstui, and hit Enter.
2. The System Restore window will open. Click on Next.
3. Select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next.
4. Now click on Finish.
   

Aside from the avastsvc.exe process, you can also learn about the avastvboxsvc.exe process and whether you need it. For critical DLL files related to Avast that may be missing, we have another dedicated article on the same.

And because antiviruses are a personal choice, we have a list of antiviruses without false positives so try them out and see if these issues disappear.

That’s all we had for this article but do let us know if you have any other solutions you’d like to recommend in the comment section below.