How to Uninstall Avast Secure Browser

This guide walks you through completely removing Avast Secure Browser from Windows and macOS. You’ll learn the standard uninstall process, how to clear leftover files and registry entries, and what to do if the normal removal fails.

What You’ll Need

• Administrator access on your computer (to install/uninstall software)
• Close all Avast Secure Browser windows and tabs before starting
• If you use a password manager or sync inside the browser, back up your passwords and bookmarks first – uninstalling deletes local data

Step-by-Step

On Windows 10 and 11

1. Close Avast Secure Browser completely. Check the system tray (bottom-right corner) for any lingering browser icons and right-click them to exit.
2. Open the Start menu and type “Add or remove programs� (or go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps).
3. In the list, scroll to “Avast Secure Browser� – it may be listed under “Avast� or “Secure Browser�. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select “Uninstall�.
4. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click “Yes� to allow the uninstaller to run.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts. The Avast uninstaller may ask if you want to keep your bookmarks and settings – choose “Remove� or “Delete� to fully erase them.
6. When the uninstaller finishes, restart your computer to complete the removal.

On macOS

1. Quit Avast Secure Browser (press Cmd+Q or right-click the Dock icon and select Quit).
2. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
3. Drag the “Avast Secure Browser� icon to the Trash (or right-click and select “Move to Trash�).
4. If prompted for your administrator password, enter it.
5. Empty the Trash to permanently delete the app.
6. Manually delete leftover support files (see “Common Mistakes� and “Tips� below for exact locations).

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the restart – Windows often keeps browser processes running in the background. A restart ensures all files are released before you try to delete leftovers.
• Only deleting the desktop shortcut – That just removes the icon, not the program.
• Forgetting leftover folders – Even after a successful uninstall, files remain in AppData and Program Files. These can cause conflicts if you reinstall later.
• Not backing up data first – If you have saved passwords or bookmarks you want to keep, export them before uninstalling. There is no built-in “export allâ€� in Avast Secure Browser that works after removal.
• Using a third-party “uninstallerâ€� that deletes too much – Stick to the official method first. Aggressive cleaners can remove shared DLLs that other programs need.

Tips

• Check for leftover files on Windows – After uninstalling, open File Explorer and look in these locations, deleting any “Avast Secure Browserâ€� folders you find:
  • C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Secure Browser
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Avast Software\Secure Browser
  • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Avast Software
  • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Avast Software
• On macOS, delete these folders (in Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G to go to a folder):
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Avast Secure Browser
  • ~/Library/Caches/Avast Secure Browser
  • ~/Library/Preferences/com.avast.securebrowser.plist
• Use Windows Registry Editor carefully – If you are comfortable, search for “Avast Secure Browserâ€� in the registry (press Win+R, type regedit) and delete related keys. Back up the registry first. This is optional but helps with stubborn leftovers.
• Reinstall if you only wanted to fix a problem – Sometimes a corrupted installation causes issues. Try reinstalling the browser before giving up on it completely.

Troubleshooting

The uninstaller does not start or freezes

• Restart your computer and try again.
• Run the uninstaller in Safe Mode (Windows): restart, hold Shift while clicking Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 for Safe Mode. Try uninstalling from there.
• If the program is not listed in “Add or remove programsâ€�, download the Avast Clear utility from the official Avast website (it is designed to remove all Avast products, including the browser). Run it and follow the prompts.

Error messages like “This application cannot be uninstalled�

• Make sure you are logged in as an administrator.
• Close any other Avast products (like Avast Antivirus) temporarily – they may lock files.
• Use the Windows “Programs and Featuresâ€� (Control Panel) instead of the Settings app – sometimes it works when the modern interface fails.

The browser reappears after restart

• Avast Antivirus may automatically reinstall the browser as a “featureâ€�. If you have Avast Antivirus, open it, go to Settings > General > Troubleshooting, and uncheck “Enable Avast Secure Browserâ€� or similar. Then uninstall the browser again.
• Check scheduled tasks: press Win+R, type taskschd.msc, and look for any Avast-related tasks that might trigger a reinstall. Disable them.

Leftover icons in the Start menu or desktop

• Right-click the icon and select “Deleteâ€� or “Unpin from Startâ€�. These are just shortcuts and are safe to remove manually.

You cannot delete a leftover folder because it is “in use�

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), look for any process named “AvastSecureBrowserâ€� or “SecureBrowserâ€�, right-click and select “End Taskâ€�. Then try deleting the folder again.
• If it still fails, restart your computer and delete the folder immediately after booting, before opening any other programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling Avast Secure Browser remove my bookmarks and passwords?

Yes, if you choose to delete local data during uninstall. If you have sync enabled with an Avast account, your data may still be in the cloud, but local copies will be gone. Export bookmarks (Settings > Bookmarks > Export) and passwords (Settings > Passwords > Export) before uninstalling if you need them.

Is Avast Secure Browser the same as Avast Antivirus?

No. Avast Secure Browser is a standalone web browser (based on Chromium). Avast Antivirus is a separate security program. Uninstalling the browser does not remove the antivirus, and vice versa.

Why was Avast Secure Browser installed without my permission?

It is often bundled with Avast Antivirus updates or other free software. During installation, you may have accepted an offer without noticing. It is not malicious, but it can be removed using the steps above.

Can I reinstall Avast Secure Browser after uninstalling?

Yes. You can download it again from the official Avast website. If you had sync enabled, you can log back in to restore your data.

Does uninstalling Avast Secure Browser speed up my computer?

It can free up a small amount of disk space and reduce background processes. However, the browser is generally lightweight, so the performance gain is usually minimal unless you had many extensions or cached data.

What if I only want to disable Avast Secure Browser, not uninstall it?

You can simply stop using it and set your default browser to another one. To prevent it from launching at startup, check your startup apps in Task Manager (Windows) or System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items (macOS) and disable it.

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