When I enable hardened mode, pups is also enabled without me doing so.
I have Hardened Mode (Aggressive) and my PUPs settings have remained as before - AvastUI > Settings > Active Protection > File System Shield > Actions > PUP (1. Ask; 2 No Action).
I’m assuming the above area is where you have seen this changed ?
I should have been clearer. It’s where you enable global pups under general settings. I attached an image.
No PUPs still off on my system.