What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Yes. Avast can attempt to repair, quarantine, or delete malware it detects. That is a removal capability, not a guarantee that it will find every infection or completely clean a compromised computer. Avast’s support instructions describe how its scans and cleanup actions are intended to work; they do not establish an independent detection or removal rate.
What Avast does when it detects malware
Detection and cleanup are separate steps. A scan can identify a suspicious or infected file, after which Avast applies an action determined by the product, scan, and settings. Avast Antivirus documentation describes a Boot-Time Scan configured to try repairing an infected item; if repair fails, it moves the item to Quarantine or deletes it if quarantine is unsuccessful (Avast Boot-Time Scan instructions).
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
In legacy Avast One documentation, the automatic “Fix automatically” flow tries repair first, then quarantine, then deletion if earlier actions fail. Depending on the product and scan, users may also be able to choose quarantine, deletion, or manual handling (Avast One scan instructions). The outcome therefore depends on whether Avast detects the item and whether the selected action succeeds.
Quarantine contains a file; it is not proof of a complete cleanup
Avast describes Quarantine as an isolated location where files cannot be run or accessed by outside processes, applications, or viruses (Avast Quarantine instructions). This can prevent a detected file from causing harm while you decide what to do next. It is not the same as establishing that every trace of malware has been removed from the device.
#1 Best Overall
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
Deleting an item may remove it permanently, so consider possible data loss before choosing deletion. Avast’s Rescue Disk guidance says it attempts to remove malicious code while preserving the rest of an infected file, but files it cannot repair may be deleted (Avast Rescue Disk instructions).
Which Avast scan should you use?
The scan names and controls vary by Avast product and interface generation. The Smart, Deep, and Targeted options below are described in legacy Avast One documentation; check the controls in your installed version rather than assuming every edition has identical labels or behavior.
Rank #2
![Malwarebytes Standard, Premium Security| Amazon Exclusive | 18 Months, 2 Devices | Windows, Mac OS, Android, Apple iOS, Chrome [Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41LbYnawq9L._SL160_.jpg)
- AWARD WINNING Antivirus, anti-malware, anti-spyware & more
- 24/7 REAL TIME PROTECTION against emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses- without slowing you down.
- PROTECTS YOUR DEVICES ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS: Get cyber protection for your computers, smartphones, or tablets- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL INSTANTLY
- UNMATCHED THREAT DETECTION: We found malware on 40 percent of devices that already had a third-party antivirus installed.
| Scan | What it checks | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Scan | Checks for malware along with other browser and system issues. | As a broad first check when you want Avast to look for several kinds of problems. |
| Deep Scan | Checks the system in depth for malware. | When you want a more thorough malware scan of the system. |
| Targeted Scan | Checks files or folders you select. | When you want to scan a specific location rather than the whole system. |
These descriptions come from Avast’s legacy Avast One Scan Center documentation (Avast One scan instructions). Avast’s support pages also document newer product interfaces, so available scan types and options can differ (Avast Antivirus scan instructions).
When to use a Boot-Time Scan
A Boot-Time Scan runs before Windows and its services start, giving Avast a chance to check for known malware before the normal operating environment loads. Avast says this scan must be scheduled manually; “It does not run automatically or on a regular basis” (Avast Boot-Time Scan instructions). Use the Boot-Time Scan controls in your installed Avast version to schedule it and review the available remediation choices.
Rank #3
- SPEED-OPTIMIZED, CROSS-PLATFORM PROTECTION: World-class antivirus security and cyber protection for Windows (Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11), Mac OS (macOS X Yosemite 10.10 or later), iOS (11.2 or later), and Android (5.0 or later). Organize and keep your digital life safe from hackers
- SAFE ONLINE BANKING: A unique, dedicated browser secures your online transactions; Our Total Security product also includes 200MB per day of our new and improved Bitdefender VPN
- ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE: Real-Time Data Protection, Multi-Layer Malware and Ransomware Protection, Social Network Protection, Game/Movie/Work Modes, Microphone Monitor, Webcam Protection, Anti-Tracker, Phishing, Fraud, and Spam Protection, File Shredder, Parental Controls, and more
- ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING: Your product-specific code is printed on a card and shipped inside a protective cardboard sleeve. Simply open packaging and scratch off security ink on the card to reveal your activation code. No more bulky box or hard-to-recycle discs
Escalate to Rescue Disk if normal scans do not resolve the issue
If suspected malware remains after ordinary scans and a Boot-Time Scan, Avast documents Rescue Disk as an offline option. It scans while the infected Windows system is not running, which Avast says can improve the chance of finding and removing malware that might otherwise counteract a scan. This is an escalation option, not a guaranteed cure.
What you need
- A separate, malware-free Windows PC with Avast installed.
- Either an empty USB drive of at least 2 GB or a blank recordable DVD.
- A device that is not based on an ARM processor; Avast says Rescue Disk cannot be used on ARM devices.
Follow Avast’s current Rescue Disk creation and use instructions for the supported Windows version and exact steps. The USB drive or DVD is boot media; it does not itself remove malware. Because Rescue Disk may delete files it cannot repair, consider whether important files are backed up before proceeding.
Rank #4
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
What an Avast scan can—and cannot—establish
Avast’s support documentation establishes that its products provide scan and remediation workflows: they can attempt repairs and can isolate or delete detected files. It does not establish that Avast detects every threat, that a particular scan will resolve an infection, or that the computer is fully clean afterward. The reviewed material also provides no independent detection or removal rate or comparative laboratory result.
If symptoms continue after Avast’s documented scan options, do not treat a clean scan as proof that no compromise remains. Consider seeking qualified technical help, particularly before deleting files or making changes that could affect important data.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few clicks, and your info stays protected on public Wi-Fi every time you connect.
- PERSONAL DATA SCANS – Take your info off the market. We’ll find your personal information on sites selling it, then guide you on how to remove it.
- SOCIAL PRIVACY MANAGER – Decide what you share. McAfee finds the privacy settings buried in your social accounts and fixes them.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
