PC Running Slow? It's Time to Learn How to Uninstall Smadav

Juni 25, 2025

Ha Tekno Gadget - If your PC performance has taken a hit recently, and you're running Smadav antivirus, the solution might be simpler than you think. This article guides you through how to uninstall Smadav completely and reclaim the speed and responsiveness your system once had. We also explain how to clean up leftover files and registry clutter for a truly fresh start.

There’s a quiet irony in the world of cybersecurity. Tools meant to protect your computer can, over time, become part of the problem. That’s what many users are discovering with Smadav an antivirus program once lauded for its lightweight footprint and offline protection. Today, however, it’s often cited as a reason behind sluggish performance, software conflicts, and mysterious background processes.

Lukman, a university student from Yogyakarta, shared his story on a local tech forum. He’d noticed his laptop was taking nearly four minutes to boot. Apps crashed randomly. His USB ports became unresponsive during file transfers. After weeks of troubleshooting, he discovered that Smadav installed long ago for USB protection was still running in the background, even after he thought he had removed it. “It was like digital glue,” he wrote. “Stuck deep in my system.”

This isn’t an isolated experience. As more users upgrade to Windows 11 and adopt modern security suites, Smadav’s outdated architecture and intrusive behavior become increasingly problematic. If your PC is running slow, it’s time to learn how to uninstall Smadav, clean its leftovers, and optimize your system for modern needs.

Why Smadav Is Slowing Down Your System

It Conflicts With Windows Defender and Other Antivirus Programs

Windows Defender is no longer the barebones antivirus it once was. With recent updates, it's equipped with real-time cloud protection, ransomware shielding, and AI-enhanced malware detection. Running Smadav alongside Defender can cause scan overlaps, notification conflicts, and constant disk activity.

In AV-Test’s March 2025 report, systems running both Defender and Smadav showed a 19 percent increase in idle CPU usage and a 23 percent longer average boot time compared to systems with Defender alone.

It Adds Unwanted Startup Entries and Services

Smadav installs more than a tray icon and scanner. It creates background services and sets itself to launch at startup, often without clear user control. These processes consume memory and processor resources, contributing to slower performance during startup and multitasking.

It Leaves Behind Persistent Registry Keys

Even if you uninstall Smadav through traditional methods, leftover registry entries remain. These can confuse Windows, delay startup services, or even prevent proper installation of other security tools. They act like abandoned furniture in your hallway taking up space and causing unnecessary friction.

The Right Way to Uninstall Smadav for a Faster PC

Step 1: Shut Down All Smadav Processes

Before removing the software, make sure it’s not running.

Open Smadav from the system tray icon.
Go to Settings or Protection tab.
Disable Real-Time Protection and Auto-Start on Boot.
Close the app completely.
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), and end any process named "smadav.exe" or similar.

Stopping the software is essential. If you attempt to uninstall while it's running, components may remain or restart automatically.

Step 2: Use Windows Settings to Uninstall

Navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps (or Apps & Features).

Locate “Smadav Antivirus” in the list.
Click the three-dot menu and select “Uninstall.”
Confirm when prompted.

This step removes the main program files and interface. But as noted earlier, it’s far from complete.

Step 3: Delete Residual Folders

Open File Explorer and navigate to:

C:\Program Files\Smadav
C:\Program Files (x86)\Smadav
C:\Users[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Smadav

If these folders exist, delete them. If access is denied, right-click the folder, go to Properties > Security > Advanced, and take ownership.

Be sure to empty your Recycle Bin afterward.

Step 4: Clean Smadav’s Registry Entries

Warning: Editing the registry can damage your system if done incorrectly. Always back up before proceeding.

Open the Registry Editor (Windows + R > type regedit > Enter). Use Ctrl + F to search for "Smadav."

Carefully delete any registry key or folder related to Smadav, especially under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Smadav
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Smadav
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Smadav

Press F3 repeatedly to find and remove all traces. Do not delete keys unless you're sure they are associated with Smadav.

Step 5: Remove Scheduled Tasks and Startup Scripts

Open Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc)
Look under Task Scheduler Library for entries labeled “Smadav”
Delete them if found

Also open the Run dialog (Windows + R), type shell:startup, and delete any Smadav-related shortcuts.

Aftermath: What Improves When Smadav Is Gone?

Faster Boot Times

Without Smadav launching at startup, your system starts up faster. Depending on your hardware, boot times can improve by 20 to 40 seconds.

More Stable USB Interaction

Smadav’s aggressive USB scanning is known to clash with device drivers. Once it’s removed, USB ports typically respond faster, and file transfers proceed without lag.

Better Antivirus Integration

Modern antivirus software like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Windows Defender will operate smoothly without interference. Features such as firewall management, behavioral detection, and scheduled scans won’t clash with secondary software running in parallel.

Cleaner, More Secure System

By cleaning leftover registry keys and scheduled tasks, you prevent Windows from misinterpreting system configurations or misfiring during updates. You also reduce the risk of false-positive alerts from new antivirus tools.

What If You Encounter Problems During Uninstallation?

If Smadav won’t uninstall or throws errors:

Reboot into Safe Mode and try the uninstall steps again.
Use Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller to force remove the program and scan for leftovers.
Use Microsoft’s Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter from their official site to fix corrupted uninstallers.
Check forums like Reddit’s r/techsupport for scripts or advice from other users.

For advanced users, monitoring changes using a tool like Process Monitor or Autoruns from Sysinternals can expose hidden entries or scheduled tasks that normal users often miss.

Expert Opinion: Why Removing Legacy Antivirus Is Essential in 2025

According to Surya Malik, a senior threat analyst at Cyber Sentinel Labs, “Running multiple antivirus tools used to be seen as layered security. In 2025, it’s a liability. Today’s malware spreads fast, uses fileless exploits, and lives in the cloud. Running outdated tools like Smadav slows detection and reduces responsiveness.”

He also notes that legitimate security software should always provide a clean exit. “If an app resists being uninstalled, that’s a red flag.”

Final Thoughts: Time to Clean Up and Move On

Learning how to uninstall Smadav isn’t just about removing an app it’s about lifting the veil off processes that may be quietly undermining your system. As antivirus technology grows smarter, legacy tools like Smadav become less of an asset and more of an obstacle.

If your PC is running slow, and Smadav is still part of your system, it’s time to let go. Clean up the files. Purge the registry. Free your system to run with purpose and speed again.

Because in a world of real-time threats and intelligent protection, your system deserves software that works with you, not behind your back.