How to Disable Smadav Pro & Free Version (Step-by-Step)

This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to disable Smadav Antivirus, covering both the Free and Pro versions. Whether you need to temporarily pause protection to run a program, or permanently stop and uninstall the software, these are the safe and effective methods to use.

You know the feeling. You are launching a new game, installing a niche developer tool, or running a simple script. Everything is going fine until a small, distinctively green window appears. "Threat Detected." Your application is abruptly terminated and its main file is locked away in quarantine. Smadav has struck again.

This is the most common reason users find themselves urgently searching for how to disable Smadav. This lightweight, Indonesian-made antivirus has a long history as a popular "second opinion" scanner, designed to run alongside a primary antivirus. Its specialty was always catching USB-borne malware, like shortcut viruses, that other AVs sometimes missed. But in the modern security landscape, this aggressive approach can be a double edged sword.

The problem is the "false positive." Smadav's heuristic engine, designed to be suspicious, often flags legitimate, safe software as malicious. This is especially true for unsigned applications, game mods, or system tools. This creates a direct conflict between your security and your productivity. You are left with a simple choice: figure out how to manage the tool, or remove it.

Is There a Difference Between Disabling Smadav Pro vs. Free?

Before we dive into the steps, let's address the key question: is the process different if you paid for the Pro version?

The short answer is no. The methods for how to disable Smadav are identical for both the Free and Pro versions. The "off" switch is in the same place.

The primary differences between Free and Pro are features, not core controls. The Pro version removes advertisements, adds an automatic update feature, and allows for more advanced setting configurations. While a Pro user can set a password to block access to the settings panel, this does not prevent a system administrator from disabling the service or uninstalling the program.

Whether you are a Pro user or a Free user, the following steps will work for you. The core architecture of the program is the same, and so are its controls.

Method 1: How to Temporarily Disable Smadav Protection

This is the most common, safest, and most recommended method. You should use this when Smadav is blocking a program you know is safe, such as a game, a driver, or a piece of work software. This method pauses the real-time protection, allowing you to complete your task.

The process is simple and takes less than 10 seconds.

1. Locate the Smadav Icon: Look at the bottom right corner of your screen, in the Windows system tray (near the clock). You will see the green Smadav shield icon. If it is hidden, click the small upward facing arrow to reveal all hidden icons.
2. Right-Click the Icon: Use your right mouse button to click on the Smadav icon. This will open a small context menu.
3. Select "Disable Protection": In the menu, click on the option that says "Disable Protection."

You will get immediate visual feedback. The Smadav icon in your system tray will instantly turn from green to red. This red icon is your constant reminder that your computer's secondary protection is currently offline.

You can now run your installer or program that was being blocked.

Crucial Step: Re-Enabling Protection

The greatest risk of this method is not the disabling; it is the forgetting. As soon as your task is complete, you must turn your protection back on.

1. Go back to the red Smadav icon in the system tray.
2. Right-click the icon. The menu will now show "Enable Protection."
3. Click "Enable Protection." The icon will turn green, and your real-time shields are active again.

If you forget this step, Smadav is typically set to re-enable itself automatically when you next restart your computer. But it is poor security practice to leave your system exposed for that long. Always re-enable it manually.

The Smarter Alternative: Whitelist Your Program Instead

As a security professional, I must tell you that in 90% of cases, disabling your antivirus is the wrong solution.

If Smadav blocks a program you trust, the problem is that Smadav mistrusts that specific file. The correct solution is not to fire the guard; it is to tell the guard that this specific program is a friend. This is called creating an "Exception" or "Whitelisting."

This method is safer, permanent, and solves the root cause of the problem.

How to Add an Exception in Smadav

1. First, if Smadav has already blocked your file, you must retrieve it from Quarantine.
   • Open the main Smadav dashboard (double-click the tray icon).
   • Go to the "Quarantine" tab.
   • Find your file in the list, select it, and click "Restore."
2. Now, you must tell Smadav to ignore this file forever.
   • In the Smadav dashboard, click the "Settings" tab.
   • You will see a tab or button on this page labeled "Exception List" (it may also be called "Whitelist").
   • Click the button to add a new exception.
   • You can now browse for the file (the .exe) or, even better, the entire folder of the program or game. For a game, adding the entire folder is the best option, as it prevents Smadav from blocking game updates or related files.
   • Select the file or folder and click "OK."

You are done. Smadav will remain fully active, protecting you from real threats, but it will now completely ignore your trusted program. This is the correct fix for false positives.

Method 2: How to Stop Smadav from Running on Startup

This is a "semi-permanent" solution. If you find Smadav is causing general system slowdowns but you still want to keep it installed for manual USB scans, you can prevent it from launching when your computer starts.

This method uses the Windows Task Manager.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager window, find the "Startup" tab. (In Windows 11, this is a small speedometer icon on the left-hand menu labeled "Startup apps").
3. You will see a list of all programs that launch with Windows.
4. Find "Smadav" in the list.
5. Right-click on "Smadav" and select "Disable."

That is it. The next time you restart your PC, Smadav will not load. The icon will not appear, and its real-time scanner will be inactive. The program is still installed, but it will only run if you manually open it from the Start Menu.

Method 3: How to Disable Smadav Permanently (Full Uninstallation)

This is the final, irreversible step. You should choose this option if you are frustrated with the constant false positives, or if you have decided to rely solely on your primary antivirus (like Microsoft Defender).

Before You Uninstall: A Critical Security Check

You must not remove one antivirus without ensuring another is active. Fortunately, the default antivirus built into Windows 10 and 11 is now a world-class security solution.

1. Click your Start Menu and type "Windows Security." Open the app.
2. Click on "Virus & threat protection."
3. You should see a green checkmark and "No action needed."
4. Under "Virus & threat protection settings," click "Manage settings."
5. Ensure that "Real-time protection" is toggled On.

As long as this is active, you are fully protected. In fact, independent lab reports from sources like AV-TEST throughout 2024 and 2025 consistently award Microsoft Defender top scores for protection and performance. Having it and Smadav running at the same time can be redundant and cause the very conflicts you are facing.

Step-by-Step Uninstall (Windows 10 & 11)

1. First, it is good practice to disable Smadav's protection (Method 1) before you uninstall it. This prevents the app from trying to protect itself from removal.
2. Click the Start Menu and type "Add or remove programs." Select the result. (This is in the "Settings" app).
3. A list of all your installed software will appear. Scroll down until you find "Smadav."
4. In Windows 11: Click the three dots (...) next to Smadav and select "Uninstall."
5. In Windows 10: Click on "Smadav" once to expand it, then click the "Uninstall" button.
6. A final confirmation will pop up. Click "Uninstall" again.
7. The official Smadav uninstaller will now launch. Follow the on-screen prompts, selecting "Uninstall" or "Yes" to confirm the removal.

Once the process is finished, Smadav will be completely removed from your system.

The Advanced "Clean-Up" (For Leftover Files)

In most cases, the standard uninstaller does a good job. However, some advanced users may want to ensure every single trace is gone. This involves deleting leftover folders and registry keys.

Warning: This is an advanced step. Deleting the wrong files or registry keys can cause system instability. Proceed with caution.

1. Delete Leftover Folders:
   • Open File Explorer.
   • Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\ and delete the "Smadav" folder if it still exists.
   • In the File Explorer address bar, type %APPDATA% and press Enter. Delete the "Smadav" folder here as well.
2. Clean the Registry (At Your Own Risk):
   • Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
   • Before you do anything, go to File > Export and save a full backup of your registry.
   • Press Ctrl + F to open the Find dialog.
   • Type Smadav and click "Find Next."
   • Delete any keys (the folder icons) or values in the right-hand pane that are clearly related to Smadav.
   • Press the F3 key to find the next instance. Repeat until the search finds no more results.

A safer alternative to manual registry editing is to use a third-party uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller, which automates this scan for leftovers.

Whether you paid for the Pro version or used the Free one, the choice to disable Smadav is about retaking control of your system. It is about removing a source of friction. By following these steps, you can confidently resolve conflicts caused by false positives, or streamline your security by removing a redundant tool. The goal is not to be less secure; it is to be smarter about your security, allowing your primary, modern antivirus to do its job without interference.