In Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security you can set a password to protect access to the application and/or the application settings. This article explains how to protect Avast Antivirus with a password and how to regain access to your application if you forget your password.

Protect Avast Antivirus with a password

1. Open Avast Antivirus and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
2. Ensure the General tab is selected, then click Password ▸ Create password.
3. Enter a password into both boxes, then click Create.
4. Select one of the following options:
   • Require password to open Avast and access settings: Enables password protection for opening Avast Antivirus and accessing the application Settings.
   • Protect access to Settings only: Enables password protection only for accessing Settings within Avast Antivirus.
   

Your password is set. Now when you attempt to access the password-protected areas, you are required to enter your password and click Enter.

To change or remove your password, go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings ▸ General ▸ Password, then click Change password or Remove password.

Regaining access to Avast Antivirus without a password

If you are unable to remember your password, you can regain access to password-protected areas of Avast Antivirus by following the steps below:

1. Download the Avast Uninstall Tool below, but do not run the file. Avast Uninstall Tool
2. Restart Windows in Safe Mode.
3. While Windows is in Safe Mode, run the downloaded Avast Uninstall Tool and remove Avast Antivirus.
4. Restart Windows back to the normal Windows mode.
5. Reinstall Avast Premium Security or Avast Free Antivirus.

After reinstalling Avast Antivirus, you can access the application without a password. You can then set a new password.