A BIG thank you to Quietman7 for granting WTT permission to post his material. (Intro slightly edited to fit WTT requirements)

During the process of removing malware from a computer, there are times you may need to use specialized fix tools. Certain embedded files that are part of these specialized fix tools may at times be detected by the User's anti-virus or anti-malware scanner as a "RiskTool", "Hacking tool", "Potentially unwanted tool", a virus or a "Trojan" when that is not the case.

These tools have been carefully created and tested by security experts so if anti-virus or anti-malware programs flag them as malware, the detection is what's known as a "False Positive". Anti-virus scanners cannot distinguish between "good" and "malicious" use of such programs, therefore they may alert you or even automatically remove them. In these cases, the removal of these files can have "unpredictable results" and unintentional results.

To avoid any problems while using a specialized tool it is very important that the User temporarily disable their anti-virus and/or anti-malware programs before using them.

Quietman7 has compiled a list of common anti-virus programs and the relevant steps to disable their Real-time protection capabilities. After the system has been cleaned or when advised by the helper, it is important that the security programs be re-enabled to avoid re-infection. A special thanks also to Yourhighness for the diligent effort in compiling this list.

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How to Temporarily Disable your Anti-virus


AVAST
Right click on the avast! icon in system tray (looks like this: ) and choose (Stop On-Access Protection)




AVG
Please open the AVG Control Center program -> double-click on the "AVG Resident Shield" component (looks like this: ) -> deselect the "Turn on AVG Resident Shield" checkmark and save the setting.
When you need to enable the AVG Resident Shield, ( I will let you know when) just open the AVG Control Center program -> double-click on the "AVG Resident Shield" component -> select the "Turn on AVG Resident Shield" checkmark and save the setting.





AVG 8
Please open the AVG 8 Control Center, by right clicking on the AVG 8 icon on task bar.

Click on Tools.
Select Advanced Settings.
In the left hand pane, scroll down to "Resident Shield".
In the main pane, deselect the option to "Enable Resident Shield."
To re-enable AVG 8, please select "Enable Resident Shield" again.



AVIRA ANTIVIR
Please navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for an open white umbrella on red background (looks to this: )

• right click it-> untick the option AntiVir Guard enable.
• You should now see a closed, white umbrella on a red background (looks to this: )

You succesfully disabled the AntiVir Guard.





ESET NOD32 ANTIVIRUS
Please navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a sign.

• click it -> click on the button.
• a popup will warn that protection will now be disabled. Click on "Yes" to disable the Antivirus guard.

You succesfully disabled the NOD32 Guard.





F-SECURE ANTIVIRUS
Please navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a blue sign.

• right click it-> select Unload.
• The F-Secure sign should now be surrounded by a red striked through circle (looking like this: )

You succesfully disabled the F-Secure Guard.





KASPERSKY ANTIVIRUS
Please navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a sign.

• right click it-> select Pause Protection.
• click on -> By User Request
• a popup will claim that protection is now disabled and a sign like this: will now be shown.

You succesfully disabled the Kaspersky Antivirus Guard.





MCAFEE ANTIVIRUS
Please navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a sign.

• right-click it -> chose "Exit."
• a popup will warn that protection will now be disabled. Click on "Yes" to disable the Antivirus guard.

You succesfully disabled the McAfee Guard.





NORTON ANTIVIRUS
Please navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a sign.

• right-click it -> chose "Disable Auto-Protect."
• select a duration of 5 hours (this assures no interference with the cleanup of your pc)
• click "Ok."
• a popup will warn that protection will now be disabled and the sign will now look like this:

You succesfully disabled the Norton Antivirus Guard.





SYMANTEC ENDPOINT PROTECTION
Right click on the icon in the taskbar notification area & select "Disable Symantec EndPoint Protection".