How to Disable Antivirus Protection to Install Software

Before you download some software, you will be requested to disable your antivirus software to allow the software to download correctly. If you are about to download software from the Internet, you should read the installation instructions to see if you are required to shut down the virus protection. If you must complete this step before downloading, you need to follow these steps to disable antivirus protection to install software correctly. After you download the software, you will need to do a few things to ensure that your computer is still safe and protected.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open your antivirus software from your task bar. Right-click on the icon. Some antivirus software will require you to open up the software to stop it.

2. Select "Stop Protection." Although each antivirus protection is different, they will have some wording that means "Stop Protection." After you have stopped your protection, check this to make sure.

3. Click on the "Start" button in the left bottom corner. Click on "Control Panel" and then click "Security Center."

4. Look at your "Security Center." It will say that your virus protection is turned off. If you must turn off your firewall, you will do this by clicking "Windows Firewall" at the bottom of the page. This opens a new window that will allow you to select "Off" to disable the firewall.

5. Complete your download and turn your antivirus protection on by clicking on your desktop icon or by going to your "Start" button, then "Programs" and clicking on your antivirus protection software.

6. Turn on your firewall in the "Security Center." Run a virus scan and a spyware protection to make sure that your computer is still safe and free of spyware and viruses.

Tips & Warnings

• Always run a virus scan and spyware software after a download from the Internet or a disk if you were told to turn off your antivirus protection and/or firewall.