How to cancel Total AV
To cancel Total AV, you need to stop the subscription through your account on Total AV's website, then uninstall the software from your device. The cancellation itself takes a few minutes online, but the full removal requires both steps — cancelling the subscription alone leaves the software installed and running.
Log into your Total AV account at totalav.com, go to your subscription or billing settings, and look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" button. Click it and follow the prompts to confirm cancellation. Total AV will stop charging you at the end of your current billing period. After that, uninstall the software through your device's standard removal process: on Windows, use Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find Total AV, and click Uninstall; on Mac, drag the Total AV icon from Applications to Trash.
Key Takeaways
- Cancelling your subscription and uninstalling the software are two separate steps — you must do both to fully remove Total AV.
- Log into your Total AV account online and find the subscription settings to stop the recurring charge.
- After cancellation, uninstall the software through your device's built-in app removal tool to free up disk space and stop the program from running.
- If you cannot find the cancel button or your account is locked, contact Total AV support through their website for help.
- Cancelling before your renewal date prevents the next charge, but the exact timing depends on when your billing cycle ends.
Step-by-step cancellation on Windows
Open your web browser and go to totalav.com. Click the account or login icon in the top right corner and enter your email and password. Once you are logged in, look for a menu option labeled "Subscription," "Billing," "Account Settings," or "My Account" — the exact name varies depending on when your account was created.
Find the button or link that says "Cancel Subscription," "Manage Subscription," or "Pause Subscription." Click it and read through any prompts asking why you are cancelling or offering a discount to stay. Select the option to proceed with cancellation. Total AV will confirm that your subscription has ended and tell you the date your access expires — usually the end of your current billing period.
After cancellation is confirmed online, go to your Windows device. Open Settings, click Apps, then Apps & Features. Scroll down to find Total AV in the list. Click it once to highlight it, then click the Uninstall button. Windows will ask you to confirm; click Uninstall again. The software will be removed from your device.
Step-by-step cancellation on Mac
Follow the same online steps as Windows: log into totalav.com, find your subscription settings, and click the button to cancel your subscription. Confirm the cancellation and note the date your access expires.
On your Mac, open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Scroll through the list until you see Total AV. Click it once to select it, then drag it to the Trash icon in your dock, or right-click it and select "Move to Trash." Empty your Trash to permanently delete the files. If Total AV created any additional folders or preference files, you may see a prompt asking whether to remove those as well — click "Remove" to delete them completely.
What happens after you cancel
Once your subscription is cancelled, Total AV will stop charging you on your next billing date. If you have already paid for a month or year in advance, you keep access to the software until that period ends — cancellation does not refund the time you have already paid for. After your access expires, the software will stop updating and may show warnings that your protection has lapsed.
Uninstalling the software removes it from your device entirely and frees up the disk space it was using. If you decide later that you want antivirus protection again, you can read a different security tool or reinstall Total AV by creating a new account on their website.
If you cannot find the cancel button
Some older Total AV accounts or accounts created through a third-party reseller may have different subscription management pages. If you log in and cannot find a cancel option, try looking for a "Support," "Help," or "Contact Us" link on the Total AV website. You can also search your email for your original purchase receipt — it usually contains a link to manage your subscription or instructions for cancellation.
If your account is locked, you have forgotten your password, or you still cannot locate the cancellation option after checking your email, contact Total AV support directly through their website. Have your account email address and any order number ready. Support can cancel your subscription for you and confirm the date the charge will stop.
Removing leftover files after uninstall
On Windows, uninstalling through Settings usually removes all Total AV files. However, some preference files or cache folders may remain in hidden system directories. If you want to remove these completely, you can manually delete them: open File Explorer, click View at the top, check "Hidden items," then navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local and look for any Total AV folders. Delete them if you find them.
On Mac, dragging the process to Trash removes the main software, but some preference files may stay in your Library folder. To find and remove these, open Finder, press Command+Shift+G to open "Go to Folder," type ~/Library/process Support, and look for any Total AV folders. Delete them. You can also check ~/Library/Preferences for any Total AV-related files and move those to Trash as well.
Choosing a replacement security tool
If you are cancelling Total AV because you want different protection, consider what features matter most to your use: real-time scanning, malware removal, phishing protection, or a lighter footprint on older devices. Windows Defender, built into Windows 10 and later, provides baseline protection at no cost and does not require installation. Third-party options like Bitdefender, Norton, Kaspersky, and Avast each have different strengths depending on your threat model and device type.
Before installing a new tool, make sure your device is fully cleaned. Run a malware scan with your current antivirus before uninstalling it, or use a standalone scanner like Malwarebytes to check for infections after Total AV is gone. This reduces the chance that malware will slip through during the gap between removing one tool and installing another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel Total AV mid-year?
Total AV does not refund unused time on annual subscriptions in most cases. If you paid for a year upfront and cancel after three months, you lose the remaining nine months of payment. Monthly subscriptions stop charging at the end of the current month, so you do not lose money there. Check your original purchase receipt or contact support to confirm your specific plan's refund policy.
Can I pause my Total AV subscription instead of cancelling it?
Some accounts have a "Pause" option that temporarily stops charges without cancelling entirely, letting you resume later without creating a new account. Look for this option in your subscription settings before clicking cancel. If you do not see it, contact Total AV support to ask whether pausing is available for your plan.
What if Total AV keeps running after I uninstall it?
If the software appears to still be active after uninstall, restart your device — this clears the program from memory. If it persists, log back into your Total AV account and check whether your subscription is still active; an active subscription may trigger the software to reinstall itself. Confirm cancellation is complete, then restart again and check your installed apps list to verify it is gone.
Do I need to uninstall Total AV before installing a new antivirus?
Yes. Running two antivirus programs at the same time can cause conflicts, slow your device, and create false alarms. Always uninstall Total AV completely before installing a replacement tool. Restart your device after uninstalling to clear any remaining processes.
Where do I find my Total AV account if I do not remember my password?
Go to totalav.com and click the login area. Look for a "Forgot Password" or "Reset Password" link. Enter the email address you used to create your account, and Total AV will send you a password reset link. Check your email (including spam or promotions folders) for the message. If you do not receive it within a few minutes, contact Total AV support with your account email address.