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Avast’s feature commonly described as “Silent Mode” is called Do Not Disturb Mode in its support documentation. On Windows, it automatically silences notifications while a listed application is running fullscreen; it does not activate when that application is windowed. Avast says the feature is free in Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security. Avast’s Do Not Disturb Mode FAQ
What Do Not Disturb Mode does
Do Not Disturb Mode is intended to prevent alerts from interrupting fullscreen activities such as using an app or playing a game. Avast says it can silence notifications from Windows, Avast Antivirus, and other applications while an app on its list is open fullscreen.
When a fullscreen app is first detected, Avast adds it to the mode’s app list. On later launches, the mode activates automatically when a listed app is fullscreen. If you use that app in a window rather than fullscreen, the mode does not activate and notifications continue. Avast Do Not Disturb Mode FAQ
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How to find and configure it in Avast Antivirus
In Avast Antivirus for Windows, open Performance → Do Not Disturb Mode. From there, you can manage the apps that trigger the mode and choose which notifications it suppresses. Avast Do Not Disturb Mode: getting started
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Choose which apps trigger the mode
You can add apps to the list or remove them. Avast also provides an option to add newly detected fullscreen apps automatically, and a separate option to notify you when an app is added. If you prefer to review the list yourself, turn off automatic addition.
Control notifications and updates
The settings documented by Avast let you silence notifications from third-party apps, suppress Avast pop-ups and scheduled scans, and pause Windows Updates. You can also allow selected apps to notify you at any time, providing an exception to the general silencing behavior.
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What “Maximize performance” means
For an app in the list, Avast offers a Maximize performance option. Avast describes it as prioritizing the app while it is fullscreen and setting Windows to high performance mode. The support instructions do not provide independent benchmark results, so they establish what the setting is intended to do, not a guaranteed performance improvement.
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Avast Antivirus and Avast One use separate controls
Avast One has a related Do Not Disturb Mode, but its settings and instructions are documented separately. Do not assume that the Avast Antivirus navigation path applies to Avast One.
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| Product | Documented controls and behavior | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Avast Antivirus | Find it under Performance → Do Not Disturb Mode. Settings cover third-party notifications, Avast pop-ups and scheduled scans, Windows Updates, app-list management, and automatic app addition. Avast also documents allowing selected apps to notify at any time and a per-app Maximize performance option. | Avast says it is free in Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security. |
| Avast One | Its separate instructions describe controls for third-party notifications, Avast One notifications, Windows Updates, automatic app addition, app-list management, and Maximize performance. Avast says the mode is enabled by default and cannot be disabled completely, but automatic launch can be switched off for individual apps. | Avast says the mode is available in all Avast One versions. |
Sources: Avast Antivirus instructions and FAQ; Avast One Do Not Disturb Mode instructions and FAQ.
How to remove Do Not Disturb Mode from Avast Antivirus
- Open Avast Antivirus and go to Menu → Settings → General → Troubleshooting.
- Select Add / modify components.
- Deselect Do Not Disturb Mode and follow the prompt to restart the computer.
These removal instructions are for Avast Antivirus; Avast documents Avast One separately. Avast Do Not Disturb Mode: getting started
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Do not confuse it with Passive Mode
Do Not Disturb Mode is about suppressing notifications while selected apps run fullscreen. Passive Mode is a different Avast setting: Avast says it receives virus definition and program updates and permits manual scans, but does not actively protect the device. Avast Passive Mode FAQ
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