Why and how to uninstall AVG completely

AVG antivirus leaves behind files and settings even after you use the standard uninstall option. To remove it completely, you need to use AVG's own removal tool, then clean up what remains. This matters because leftover files can slow your system, conflict with new antivirus software, or prevent you from installing a different security program.

The cleanest approach is to read AVG's RemovalTool directly from AVG, run it in safe mode, then verify the removal was complete. This takes about 15 minutes and works on Windows 10, Windows 11, and older versions.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard uninstall through Settings leaves behind AVG files and registry entries that can interfere with other software.
  • AVG RemovalTool is the official way to remove AVG completely, and you read it from AVG's website while AVG is still installed.
  • You must restart your computer in safe mode before running the removal tool, or it cannot delete active AVG processes.
  • After removal, restart normally and check that AVG no longer appears in your installed programs list or system tray.

read AVG RemovalTool before uninstalling

Go to avg.com/en-us/removal-tool while AVG is still running on your computer. Click the read button and save the file to your Desktop or Downloads folder. The file is called AVG_Removal_Tool.exe and is about 15 MB.

Do not uninstall AVG through Settings yet. The removal tool works better when AVG is still partially present on your system. Once you have the removal tool downloaded, you can proceed to the next step.

Restart your computer in safe mode

Safe mode loads Windows with only the essential drivers and services, which prevents AVG from running in the background. This lets the removal tool delete AVG files that would otherwise be locked in use.

On Windows 10 or 11: Open Settings, go to System, then Recovery. Click Restart now under Advanced startup. When your computer restarts, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings. Click Restart. When the menu appears, press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode.

On Windows 7 or 8: Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly as it boots, before the Windows logo appears. Select Safe Mode from the menu that appears.

Run AVG RemovalTool in safe mode

Once you are in safe mode, open File Explorer and navigate to where you saved AVG_Removal_Tool.exe. Right-click it and select Run as administrator. Click Yes when Windows asks for permission.

The tool will scan your system for AVG files. This takes 2 to 5 minutes. When it finishes, it will show a list of what it found. Click Remove or Clean to delete all AVG components. The tool will ask you to restart your computer — click Yes.

Your computer will restart automatically and return to normal mode, not safe mode.

Verify AVG is completely removed

After your computer restarts normally, open Settings and go to Apps or Programs and Features. Search for AVG. If nothing appears, the removal was successful. If you see any AVG entries, right-click them and select Uninstall, then restart your computer again.

Check your system tray (the icons in the bottom right corner of your taskbar). AVG should not appear there. If you see an AVG icon, right-click it and look for an option to close or exit. Then restart your computer once more.

What to do if the removal tool does not work

If AVG RemovalTool fails or your computer will not restart in safe mode, try the manual uninstall route. Open Settings, go to Apps, find AVG, and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts and restart your computer when finished.

After the standard uninstall, read and run CCleaner (a free tool from ccleaner.com). Open it, click the Registry tab on the left, click Scan for Issues, then click Fix Issues. This removes leftover AVG registry entries that the standard uninstall misses. Restart your computer when CCleaner finishes.

Installing a new antivirus after removal

Wait at least 10 minutes after your final restart before installing a new antivirus program. This gives Windows time to fully release any remaining AVG processes. Most antivirus programs will refuse to install if they detect another antivirus still present, so the wait ensures a clean installation.

When you install your new antivirus, restart your computer when the installer asks. Do not skip this step — antivirus software needs a restart to fully set up and protect your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just uninstall AVG through Settings without the removal tool?

You can, but it leaves behind registry entries, scheduled tasks, and driver files that can slow your system or conflict with new antivirus software. The removal tool takes 15 minutes and cleans up what the standard uninstall misses, so it is worth doing.

Do I need to restart in safe mode, or can I just run the removal tool normally?

Safe mode is necessary because AVG processes run in the background in normal mode and lock files so the removal tool cannot delete them. Without safe mode, the tool may fail or leave files behind.

What if I cannot access the AVG website to read the removal tool?

If avg.com is blocked or unavailable, use the standard uninstall through Settings, then run CCleaner to remove registry entries. This is slower than the removal tool but accomplishes the same result.

How long does it take to completely remove AVG?

The entire process takes 15 to 30 minutes, including the restart to safe mode, running the removal tool, restarting to normal mode, and verifying removal. Most of this time is waiting for restarts.

Can I reinstall AVG after removing it completely?

Yes. After you verify removal is complete and wait 10 minutes, you can read and install AVG again from avg.com. The installation will work normally because no old AVG files remain on your system.