Can I run Smadav and Avast without slowing down my computer?

Techno Arena - The quest to run Smadav and Avast together without slowing down your computer is a tightrope walk between security ambitions and system performance. While technically possible, achieving a fast, stable experience requires a strategic configuration, not a simultaneous one. This article explores the performance cost of running dual real-time scanners and outlines the definitive method to use both tools effectively without crippling your PC's speed.

There is a unique kind of digital agony that every computer user knows intimately. It is the slow, grinding halt of a machine that was once fast and responsive. It’s the extra seconds waiting for a browser to open, the stuttering cursor during a video call, the frustrating lag when you are just trying to save a document. In this state of perpetual waiting, our first suspect is often a virus. The logical next step? More security. This leads many down a path where they wonder, can I run Smadav and avast in tandem, hoping to create an impenetrable digital fortress.

The idea is seductive. Avast, a global cybersecurity giant, stands as a sentinel against worldwide threats. Smadav, a nimble specialist, is renowned for its prowess in neutralizing local malware and sanitizing USB drives, a notorious infection vector. On paper, it sounds like the ultimate security duo, a partnership of global intelligence and local expertise. But what happens when you put two hyper-vigilant guards in the same small room? More often than not, they spend more time fighting each other for control than they do watching the door, and the whole operation grinds to a halt. This is precisely the performance nightmare that unfolds within your system’s architecture.

A Battle for Resources: What Happens Inside Your System

To understand why running two antivirus programs simultaneously devastates your computer's speed, we need to look at how they work at a fundamental level. A primary antivirus like Avast integrates itself deeply into the operating system. It uses what are known as "file system filter drivers" to intercept every single file access in real time. When you open a document, launch an application, or download a file, Avast pauses the operation for a fraction of a second to scan it for threats.

This process is incredibly resource-intensive. Modern antivirus engines are optimized to perform these checks with minimal impact, but the overhead is always there. Now, introduce a second real-time scanner from Smadav, which also wants to perform the exact same check at the exact same moment. You have now created a digital bottleneck. Both programs are trying to be the first to scan the file, leading to a condition known as a "race condition."

This conflict forces the CPU to work twice as hard for a single operation. It also doubles the amount of RAM required to hold two separate databases of virus definitions and two active scanning engines. The result is not double the protection; it is a system-wide slowdown where every action is taxed by this redundant security process.

The Measurable Cost of Redundancy on PC Performance

The performance impact of antivirus software is not theoretical. Independent IT security institutes like AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST conduct rigorous performance tests every year. Their 2024 and early 2025 reports consistently show that even a single, top-tier antivirus suite can have a measurable impact on tasks like launching applications, installing software, and copying files, though the best products keep this impact below a perceptible threshold for most users.

Now, consider the effect of adding a second, uncoordinated scanner. While no lab formally tests dual-antivirus configurations because it is a universally discouraged practice, we can extrapolate from the data. If a single highly optimized antivirus can add, for instance, a 15% overhead to file copying times, adding a second one could easily push that overhead to 40% or even higher. Boot times can extend dramatically as both programs vie for priority during the system startup sequence. For gamers, streamers, or creative professionals, this level of performance degradation is simply unacceptable. It turns a capable machine into a sluggish and frustrating tool.

When Performance Issues Escalate into System Instability

The problems with this setup extend far beyond mere slowness. The constant conflict between Avast and Smadav can lead to a cascade of stability issues that are often more damaging than the performance hit.

One of the most common issues is the surge in "false positives." Antivirus programs are, by nature, suspicious. When Avast's heuristic engine detects another program (Smadav) hooking deep into the system and monitoring file activity, it may flag Smadav's core components as malware. Avast might then try to quarantine or delete critical Smadav files, effectively crippling it. The reverse is also true. Smadav could identify Avast's signature database or a behavioral blocker as a threat.

This digital friendly fire creates a state of constant conflict that can cause applications to crash, lead to the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), and prevent critical security updates from being installed. You might find yourself trapped in an endless loop of pop-up alerts, unable to tell a real threat from your security software's internal squabbles. Paradoxically, this state of chaos can make you less secure, as you might start ignoring all warnings, including legitimate ones.

The Strategic Compromise: How to Run Smadav and Avast The Right Way

So, is there a way to harness the unique strengths of both programs without them destroying your PC’s performance and stability? The answer is yes, but it requires a fundamental shift in strategy. You cannot run them as equals. One must be the master, and the other must be the on-demand servant.

This is the only viable method if you truly feel you need both. It directly answers the question, "Can I run Smadav and Avast without the slowdown?" by establishing a clear hierarchy.

1. Establish Your Primary Defender: Designate Avast as your sole real-time protection suite. Its comprehensive, always-on shields for files, web, and email are designed to be your first and primary line of defense. Do not disable any of its core protective features.

2. Configure Smadav as a Secondary Tool: Install Smadav, but immediately go into its settings and disable all real-time scanning or active protection features. Look for settings like "Protect/Smad-Lock (Anti-Ransomware)" and turn them off. The goal is to prevent Smadav from automatically scanning files in the background.

3. Use Smadav for On-Demand Scans: With its real-time engine disabled, Smadav becomes a lightweight, powerful specialized tool. Its true value lies in its use as a manual, second-opinion scanner. When a friend hands you a USB drive, or you download a file from a less-than-reputable source, you can right-click on that specific drive or file and choose "Scan with Smadav." This gives you the benefit of its targeted cleaning capabilities without it ever conflicting with Avast's ongoing operations.

This approach gives you the best of both worlds. You have Avast’s robust, always-on global protection, and you have Smadav’s specialized cleaning power held in reserve for specific situations, all without the performance-killing conflicts.

Is a Dual Antivirus Setup Even Necessary in 2025?

The final question worth asking is whether this entire exercise is still necessary today. A decade ago, when primary antivirus programs were less sophisticated, using a secondary scanner for specific threats made more sense. However, the cybersecurity landscape has evolved dramatically.

A single, high-quality antivirus suite in 2025 is a multi-layered security platform. Avast, for example, already includes advanced behavioral blockers, anti-ransomware technology, and web shields that cover many of the threats Smadav traditionally targeted. Furthermore, the built-in Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 and 11 has become a top-tier competitor, earning high marks for protection and performance from independent labs. For many users, Microsoft Defender, combined with safe browsing habits, is more than sufficient.

The modern approach to layered security is not about redundant antivirus engines. It is about combining different types of tools: a single, excellent antivirus; a robust firewall; a reputable VPN for network privacy; and a good password manager. Above all, the strongest layer of security is an educated user who knows how to spot phishing attempts and avoid risky downloads.

Ultimately, while you can configure your system to run both Smadav and Avast without a catastrophic slowdown, the pressing need to do so has largely faded. The performance cost and complexity of managing a dual-scanner setup are significant, while the added security benefits in the modern era are marginal at best. By adopting a smarter, hierarchical approach, or by simply trusting a single, powerful security suite, you can achieve a state of digital Zen: a computer that is both exceptionally secure and delightfully fast.