How to Deactivate Smadav for All Versions

June 18, 2025

Smadav Softrev - Want to know how to deactivate Smadav for all versions without compromising your system or disrupting your workflow? This article provides a definitive guide to disabling Smadav, covering all supported editions Free, Pro, legacy, and the latest builds on Windows 7 through Windows 11. Whether you’re a developer, IT admin, or simply a frustrated user trying to install trusted software, here’s how to do it safely and smartly.

A web developer based in Medan recently shared his ordeal on a local tech forum. He had spent days configuring a local testing environment using Laravel and Docker. But the moment he launched his container scripts, Smadav flagged and locked his working directory. After repeated clean-up attempts and reinstalls, the project refused to run. The reason? Smadav interpreted Docker’s port access and shell scripts as suspicious behavior.

This wasn’t the first case of software friction caused by Smadav. From digital creators to power users, stories of false positives and blocked installers are becoming increasingly common. Smadav, designed primarily to protect against USB-based threats, now often gets in the way of everyday tasks. Especially in systems already guarded by Windows Defender or premium antivirus suites.

That’s why knowing how to deactivate Smadav for all versions is not only useful it’s essential in 2025.

Smadav’s Legacy: From USB Guardian to Overzealous Watchdog

Smadav emerged in the early 2010s as a response to rampant flash-drive infections in Southeast Asia. Lightweight, easy to install, and focused specifically on autorun-based malware, it offered crucial protection in environments where USB devices were the primary vector of infection.

But the digital landscape has changed. USB attacks have declined significantly, replaced by phishing payloads, browser-based exploits, and fileless malware. Operating systems like Windows 11 now disable autorun.inf by default, and Microsoft Defender incorporates robust USB scanning out of the box.

As a result, Smadav’s once-unique features have become redundant in many contexts. Yet it remains pre-installed on thousands of machines in schools, government offices, and homes—often running silently in the background, scanning obsessively and interfering with otherwise harmless activity.

When and Why You Should Deactivate Smadav

Before deciding how to deactivate Smadav, it's worth understanding when it makes sense to do so.

You should consider disabling Smadav if:

You regularly work with development tools, scripts, or environments such as Git, Python, Node.js, or Docker.
Your system already uses a comprehensive antivirus platform, like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or even Microsoft Defender.
Smadav is generating frequent false positives during software installation or updates.
You are installing software from trusted publishers that Smadav blocks.
Your computer suffers performance issues during file transfers, especially from USB drives.
You're managing virtual machines or dual-boot configurations that Smadav fails to recognize properly.

In any of these cases, knowing how to deactivate Smadav for all versions gives you better control over your system without compromising security.

Method One: Disable Smadav Temporarily Using the System Tray

This method works across all versions of Smadav and is especially useful if you need a quick solution.

Look for the green Smadav icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar).
Right-click the icon to reveal options.
Click Disable Protection (Until Restart).

This action suspends Smadav’s real-time monitoring, autorun blocking, and USB scanning. As the description suggests, it will reactivate upon system reboot.

For one-time installations or script executions, this method offers a hassle-free workaround.

Method Two: Turn Off Real-Time Protection in the Smadav Interface

If you’re looking for a solution that persists across restarts, follow this path.

Launch Smadav via the Start Menu or desktop shortcut.
Navigate to the Settings tab or Pengaturan.
Locate and uncheck the box that reads Activate Real-time Protection.
Confirm and close the window.

This method is applicable to all Smadav versions, including Smadav Pro. It disables background scanning and USB monitoring, giving you room to operate freely.

Method Three: Remove Smadav from Startup Programs

If you don’t want Smadav launching automatically every time you boot, you can disable its autostart setting.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click the Startup tab.
Locate Smadav Antivirus in the list.
Right-click and select Disable.

This works universally across Smadav Free and Pro editions. You can still launch Smadav manually when needed.

How to Deactivate Smadav in Windows 7, 8.1, 10, and 11

The steps above apply across all major Windows versions, but some nuances exist:

Windows 7 and 8.1: Smadav may not appear in Task Manager’s Startup tab. Instead, use msconfig (Run > type msconfig) to disable Smadav from startup manually.
Windows 10: You can access similar startup controls via Settings > Apps > Startup.
Windows 11: Task Manager has an updated interface but identical functionality.

In all cases, Smadav settings themselves remain consistent. Regardless of your Windows version, the real-time protection toggle and system tray disable option work the same way.

Smadav Pro vs Free: Are There Functional Differences in Deactivation?

Smadav Pro offers more granular control, including password protection for settings and options to hide the tray icon. If your Smadav is password-locked, and you cannot access the settings, you’ll need administrative credentials to proceed with deactivation or uninstallation.

For locked configurations:

Try safe mode to disable the service manually.
Use the Services utility to stop the Smadav process if allowed.
Consider contacting Smadav support or reinstalling the program to overwrite settings.

In unlocked versions, both Free and Pro editions respond identically to deactivation commands.

When Whitelisting Is Not Enough

Smadav does support an Exception List. However, users report mixed results when trying to exclude dynamic folders such as project directories or build environments.

For instance, even after whitelisting C:\Users\Dev\Projects, Smadav may continue to scan temporary files created during builds. This behavior often breaks workflows involving tools like Webpack, npm, or Visual Studio Code.

In such cases, full deactivation is often more practical than relying on exceptions that may not be honored consistently.

After Deactivation: Is Your System Still Protected?

If Smadav is your only antivirus, disabling it leaves your system unguarded. In this scenario, immediately activate an alternative protection layer such as Microsoft Defender.

To check Defender’s status:

Start > Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection

Ensure that real-time protection is on, and that updates are current.

If you already run another third-party antivirus, Smadav’s absence will not diminish your system’s security. In fact, reducing overlapping security layers can improve performance and reduce conflicts.

Should You Uninstall Smadav Entirely?

Many users ask whether it’s better to deactivate or uninstall. The answer depends on your use case.

You should uninstall Smadav if:

It causes recurring compatibility issues.
You trust your primary antivirus for all types of protection.
You need cleaner system performance with fewer background processes.
You’re in a corporate environment where software must follow a single security standard.

To uninstall Smadav completely:

Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
Select Smadav Antivirus and click Uninstall.
Delete any remaining folders in C:\Program Files and %AppData%.
Optionally, use a third-party uninstaller like Revo to remove residual registry keys.

Alternatives That Respect Your Workflow

If you still want lightweight USB protection but without constant alerts or app interference, consider:

MCShield: USB-specific, simple, with minimal false positives.
Panda USB Vaccine: Prevents autorun malware with a set-and-forget approach.
Windows Defender: Already includes USB device control via Exploit Guard.

These alternatives work well alongside modern productivity and development stacks.

Cybersecurity Is About Control, Not Just Prevention

The rise of Smadav was a response to an era of rampant USB infections. But in today's hybrid work world, where speed and compatibility matter just as much as safety, it’s important to recalibrate your security stack.

Knowing how to deactivate Smadav for all versions puts that control in your hands. Whether you pause it briefly, stop it permanently, or uninstall it altogether, the decision should serve your workflow and your needs.

Security shouldn’t get in the way of progress. When it does, you now know exactly what to do.