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Yes—Avast can attempt to repair, quarantine, or delete malware it detects. That does not mean it will find every infection or completely clean every compromised PC. Avast’s support instructions describe how its tools handle detected files, but they do not establish an independent detection or removal rate.
What “remove” means in Avast
Malware removal is a sequence: a scan must detect a threat, and Avast must then take an action on the affected file. Depending on the product, scan, and settings, that action may be to repair the file, move it to Quarantine, delete it, or leave the decision to you.
In Avast’s documented automatic handling, the program may try to repair a detected file first, move it to Quarantine if repair fails, and delete it if the earlier actions are unsuccessful. Other available choices can include quarantine, deletion, or manual handling. The exact controls and labels vary by Avast product and version, so check the options shown in your installed app. Avast’s scan settings documentation describes these actions.
Quarantine contains a file; it does not certify a clean PC
Avast describes Quarantine as an isolated location that prevents the file from being run or accessed by other processes, applications, or viruses. This contains the quarantined file, but it is not proof that every trace of malware has been removed from the computer. Avoid restoring a quarantined item unless you are confident it is safe.
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Which Avast scan should you use?
Choose based on how much of the computer you want to check and whether Windows can run normally. Avast’s documentation covers scan options across different product generations; names and availability may differ in your version.
| Option | Scope and timing | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Scan | Checks for malware as well as other issues, according to legacy Avast One documentation. | You want a first check that also looks beyond malware. |
| Deep Scan | Checks the system in depth for malware, according to legacy Avast One documentation. | You want a broader malware scan during normal system operation. |
| Targeted Scan | Checks files or folders you select, according to legacy Avast One documentation. | You want to inspect a particular location or file. |
| Boot-Time Scan | Scans before the operating system and services start. It must be scheduled manually and does not run automatically or regularly by default. | You suspect malware may interfere with a scan after Windows starts. |
| Rescue Disk | Scans while the operating system is not running, using bootable media created with Avast on a separate Windows PC. | Ordinary scans have not resolved a suspected infection. |
The Smart, Deep, and Targeted Scan descriptions come from legacy Avast One documentation; the current screens and options may be different. Avast explains Boot-Time Scan behavior in its Boot-Time Scan guide.
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How to escalate if a normal scan does not help
Schedule a Boot-Time Scan
A Boot-Time Scan runs before Windows and its services start, which may help when you suspect malware is interfering with a scan in a running system. Avast says it must be scheduled manually; it is not enabled to run automatically or on a regular basis by default. Follow the Boot-Time Scan controls available in your installed Avast version rather than relying on a recurring scan to happen on its own. Avast’s guide describes the setup and available actions.
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If normal scans have not resolved the problem, Avast documents Rescue Disk as an offline option. Because the operating system is not running during the scan, Avast says malware is less able to counteract it. This is a product-described advantage, not a guarantee that the scan will find or remove every threat.
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Avast’s instructions require a separate malware-free Windows PC with Avast and either an empty USB drive of at least 2 GB or a blank recordable DVD. Avast says Rescue Disk cannot be used on ARM processor devices. Consult Avast’s Rescue Disk instructions for the steps and compatibility details.
Rescue Disk attempts to remove malicious code while preserving the rest of an infected file. If it cannot repair a file, it may delete it. Deletion can mean losing the file or its contents, so consider whether important data is backed up before choosing a delete action.
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- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
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What Avast’s instructions do—and do not—show
The cited Avast support pages document intended scan and file-handling workflows. They do not provide an independent test result or a measured malware detection or removal rate. A successful scan or a quarantined file is therefore not, by itself, proof that a device is completely clean. If symptoms continue, use the available offline option and consider seeking qualified technical help, especially before deleting files you need.
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