How to Disable Avast Browser on Startup?

How to Disable Avast Browser on Startup

If you use free antivirus solutions, you must have heard of Avast Antivirus. Avast is one of the biggest names in the cybersecurity space, and it offers both paid and free products. A free product by Avast is Avast Browser. It comes as an add-on with Avast Antivirus, and most people end up installing it without wanting it. Though the browser is decent, it opens every time you start your computer. So, how to disable Avast Browser on Startup?

In this guide, we’ll talk about the steps you can take to stop Avast Browser from automatically starting when you turn on your computer.

How Did Avast Browser Get On Your PC?

Many users get confused when they see Avast Browser on their PC. If you didn’t install Avast Browser, but it’s still on your PC, don’t worry. Your PC is not hacked, and there’s no malware. You probably just didn’t pay enough attention while installing Avast Antivirus and agreed to install Avast Browser as well.

Avast Browser is available as an add-on with Avast Antivirus. During the installation process of Avast Antivirus, you get an option to install Avast Browser for fast and safe browsing. The option is checked by default, so if you proceed without paying attention, your PC will end up installing Avast Browser on your computer.

If you uncheck the option during installation, Avast Browser won’t install on your system. However, most people proceed in a hurry, so it’s completely normal if you also did the same and ended up installing the browser.

How to Disable Avast Browser on Startup?

Now that you have installed Avast Browser on your PC and it’s starting every time you turn on your PC, let’s look at how you can disable it. You don’t essentially need to delete the browser, as it isn’t too bad. But if you want to get rid of it completely, we’ve given instructions for that as well. Follow these steps to get started.

Stop Startup from the Browser Settings

You can easily disable Avast Browser on startup by going to Avast Browser settings and disabling the startup option. Open Avast Browser and go to Settings. In the Settings menu, click on “On Startup” and uncheck the option of Launch Avast Secure Browser automatically when your computer starts.

How to Disable Avast Browser on Startup
Disable Avast Browser on Startup

Also, uncheck the option below that: Always check to see if Avast Secure Browser is the default browser on startup.

By unchecking these two options, you will disable Avast Browser from starting automatically on startup.

Disable Startup from the Task Manager

If you can’t find the option to disable Avast Browser from its settings or it doesn’t work, you can disable it directly from the Task Manager.

Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. In the Task Manager, go to the Startup tab. You’ll see a list of all the programs that have the permission to automatically start when you start your computer. Find Avast Browser, and click on it. Now, click the Disable button in the bottom right corner of the terminal.

Doing this will disable Avast Browser from starting automatically.

Uninstall Avast Browser: How to Disable Avast Browser on Startup?

The two steps discussed above will stop the browser from starting when you turn on your computer. However, Avast Browser may still start automatically. Or, it could be that you don’t like it on your PC and want to get rid of it completely. In that case, uninstalling Avast Browser is the only effective solution.

How to Disable Avast Browser on Startup
Disable Avast Browser on Startup

To uninstall Avast Browser, go to the Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows Search tab. Under the Programs section, click on Uninstall a program. A list of all the applications installed on your PC will appear. Find Avast Browser and double-click on it to uninstall it.

The uninstallation process may take a minute or two. After the uninstallation is complete, you won’t see Avast Browser on your PC ever again.

Reinstall Avast and Unselect Browser Installation

Here’s another thing you can do to get rid of Avast Browser from your PC. After uninstalling Avast Browser, uninstall Avast Antivirus as well, and delete all its files and folders on your PC.

To delete residual files, open the Run program by pressing Windows + Run and then search for %appdata%. A list of folders will appear. Find the folders for Avast Browser and Avast Antivirus, and delete them.

Now, install Avast again from the official Avast website. This time, watch out for the Avast Browser installation option. Uncheck that option, and install Avast Browser only. This way, you won’t face issues with Avast Browser in the future.

Some Avast Browser Alternatives

Avast Browser is a good browser. In addition to an efficient user interface, it has top-notch security and anti-tracking features. If you delete Avast, you may be looking for an alternative. Here are the best Avast alternatives you can use.

  • Firefox: A fast, open-source, secure, and cross-platform browser that focuses on privacy, customization, and security
  • Brave: A lightweight, fast, and open-source browser with built-in ad-blocking features and support for TOR
  • Tor Browser: A free and open-source web browser that focuses on privacy protection, anti-censorship, and online anonymity
  • Opera: A free and proprietary browser with a built-in ad blocker and VPN, along with support for mouse gestures
  • Vivaldi: A free and highly customizable web browser with support for tab stacking, UI customization, mouse gestures, and QR code generator
  • Chromium: A free and open-source Chromium-based browser with a Chrome-like look and feel but support for BSD, PC-BSD, and Xfce
  • Pale Moon: A lightweight, Goanna-based web browser for higher privacy, customization, and performance
  • Waterfox: A free, open-source, and high-performance browser with a focus on privacy and performance

Wrap Up: How to Disable Avast Browser on Startup?

Avast Browser is a popular browser that comes as an add-on with Avast Antivirus. When you install the browser, the automatic startup is enabled by default, and thus, the browser starts every time you open your computer. If you want to disable the automatic startup option, follow the steps discussed above. If you installed it by mistake, you could also uninstall it.