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Uninstall the antivirus from Windows Settings, then restart the PC. If the uninstall fails or Windows still lists the old antivirus after the restart, use the removal tool from the company that made it. After the restart, open Windows Security to check which antivirus is active.
Uninstall a third-party antivirus from Windows Settings
- Save your work and close other apps. Use the administrator account for your PC if Windows asks for it.
- On Windows 11, go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps. Find the antivirus, select the three dots next to it, and choose Uninstall.
- On Windows 10, go to Settings → Apps → Apps & features. Select the antivirus and choose Uninstall.
- Finish the product’s removal wizard and restart the PC when prompted.
If the program is missing from Settings, look in Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features. The menus are documented in Microsoft’s uninstall guide. On a work or school PC, ask IT to remove managed protection.
Use an official removal tool if the antivirus stays behind
Use the normal uninstaller first. If it errors out, or the old product still appears as a security provider after a restart, follow the support instructions for your exact product. Some tools ask you to restart in Safe Mode or choose between removing and reinstalling.
| Antivirus | Official removal instructions |
|---|---|
| Norton | Norton 360 Remover. Choose the remove-only option if you are switching products. |
| Avast | Avast Uninstall Tool. |
| AVG | AVG Uninstall Tool. |
| Bitdefender | Bitdefender removal instructions and cleanup tool. |
Follow the vendor’s instructions for any separate add-ons, such as its VPN or browser extension, if you want to remove those too. Let the uninstaller remove the program’s services and drivers.
Check which antivirus is protecting the PC
Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection. Check the provider and whether protection is on. Microsoft Defender Antivirus normally turns back on after you remove a non-Microsoft antivirus if another product or a device policy does not manage protection. See Microsoft’s guidance on turning protection on.
If Defender is active, check for protection updates and run a quick scan. To review a detection afterward, see how to find quarantined files in Windows Security.
Frequently asked questions
What if the uninstall button is grayed out?
Try an administrator account on your own PC. If the product asks for an uninstall password or says it is managed, contact the vendor or the organization’s IT team.
Will Windows Defender turn back on?
It normally does when there is no other registered antivirus. After restarting, check Virus & threat protection to confirm which provider is active.
Does uninstalling cancel my antivirus subscription?
Uninstalling removes the app from this PC. Manage billing and auto-renewal separately in the vendor account or store where you bought it.