Ensuring Avast Antivirus is installed and actively protecting your PC

Check installation

1. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Apps and Features from the menu that appears.
2. Ensure that your version of Avast Antivirus is visible in Apps & Features.

If your version of Avast Antivirus does not appear in the list of programs and features, the application is not installed on your PC.

Check subscription status

1. Right-click the Avast icon in the notification area of your Windows taskbar and select Subscription information from the menu that appears.
2. Confirm that the text Active appears next to your version of Avast Antivirus listed under Subscriptions on this PC. You can also see the expiration date and number of days remaining for your active subscription.

If your subscription is not active, you can activate it by following the instructions in the article below:

• Activating an Avast Premium Security subscription

Check for updates

To ensure you are fully protected, keep Avast Antivirus up to date at all times. If you are unsure whether you are using the latest version of the application or whether your virus definitions are up to date, refer to the following article:

• Updating Avast Antivirus

When troubleshooting issues with Avast Support, you may be asked to provide information about your Program and Virus definitions versions. To obtain the required information:

1. Right-click the Avast icon in the notification area of your Windows taskbar and select About Avast.
2. Refer to the following information which is visible at the top of the screen:
   • Program version
   • Virus definitions version
   • Number of definitions
   • UI version
   

For more information about Avast Antivirus updates, refer to the Avast webpage below:

• Virus Update History

Check protection status

1. Right-click the Avast icon in the notification area of your Windows taskbar, and select Open Avast user interface.
2. Ensure the Status tab is selected in the left panel.

• The Green Status screen with the text This computer is protected indicates that all protection components are enabled, and Avast Antivirus is actively securing your PC. When this status appears, no actions are required.
• A Red Status screen indicates a critical issue with core antivirus components, which require your immediate attention, while a Yellow Status screen indicates an urgent issue. If a red or yellow status is displayed, click the relevant action displayed below the status to ensure your PC is fully protected:
  • Resolve: resolves an issue with active protection components, such as Core Shields.
  • Turn on: enables components which help to ensure maximum protection, such as Firewall or automatic updates.
  • Update: updates your Avast Antivirus to the latest program version.
  • Activate / Reactivate: prompts you to select a subscription plan to activate Avast Antivirus.
  • Restart now: reboots your PC to complete an update of all Avast Antivirus components.

To further verify that Avast Antivirus is protecting your PC against malware, refer to the following article:

• Testing whether Avast Antivirus is protecting your PC against malware

Reinstall Avast Antivirus

If the steps in the sections above do not resolve your issue, we recommend fully uninstalling and then reinstalling the application.

Follow the steps below:

1. Fully uninstall Avast Antivirus using the Avast Uninstall Tool. For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:
   • Using the Avast Uninstall Tool
2. Restart your computer.
3. On your keyboard, press the Win key and E key simultaneously to open File Explorer.
4. Type or paste C:\Program Files\ into the address bar.
5. If you see the AVAST software folder in this location, right-click the folder and select Delete from the context menu.
6. Reinstall your version of Avast Antivirus. For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:
   • Avast Premium Security | Avast Free Antivirus

If your issue persists after you have reinstalled Avast Antivirus, contact Avast Support.