Avast and slow time to start programs (Returned again after Feb Update)

system · 2017-02-06T14:03:24.000Z

Hi Avast users and devs,

I have used Avast for many years, but currently the time to start applications seems to be worse than before (8 to 10 secs for example CCleaner).
Does anyone else notice this? When I turn off my shields I can start programs immediately.
Is it a goal to reclaim the reputation of a security program with a low impact on PC performance?
Looking forward to your replies.

Edit: Since this does not happen on another PC (no SSD even), I am also wondering whether this might be an isolated cause that can be resolved.

Edit2: I resolved the issue. A clean reinstall of Avast was required.
Info on my PC and software in a post below.

Edit3: My latest post: the problem has returned. Therefore I am able to analyze it. The specific shield, unsurprisingly, is the File System Shield, either disabling it (or the setting Scan Programs When Executing) or excluding the location of the .exe you want to open resolves the issue.

Edit4: Testing Avast 17.1.2286. OK so far.

Edit5: Problem is back, I have swapped to Avira.

Asyn · 2017-02-06T14:30:02.000Z

Which Avast…? (Free/Pro/IS/Premier)
Which version…?
OS…? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP/Build…?)
Other security related software installed…?
Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?

Eddy · 2017-02-06T14:33:54.000Z

What specific shield is causing the slowdown ?

DavidR · 2017-02-06T15:02:37.000Z

CCleaner has got progressively slower on this XP system, but that isn’t necessarily down to just avast. As you system gets older it gets bogged down with more programs (running in the background) which also get updated and may require more resources.

On my win10 laptop, it is very fast, but the two systems have the same basic programs installed.
Acer Aspire F15 F5-573, Intel Core i5-7200U @2.50GHz to 3.1GHz, 8GB DDR4 RAM, GeForce GTX 950M 4GB DDR5, 256GB SSD primary drive 1TB HDD secondary drive.

It takes less than 3 seconds for the UI to open and the Analyse button is active virtually as soon at the program is open.

Whilst on this XP system ccleaner opens in the same sort of time 3 seconds, but it takes an eternity (30 seconds or more) for the Analyse button to be active.

system · 2017-02-06T15:34:13.000Z

Which Avast…?: Free
Which version: Current release
OS…? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP/Build…?) W10 64-Bit Anniversary Update
Other security related software installed…?: Non active, whole security stack: Avast Free (Files, Web, Mail, Home Network), Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (program not active, anti-rootkit enabled), R-Kill has been used to check for hindering software.
Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?: Avast from the start, maybe Avira 10 years ago in other PC.
Other specs: Intel Core i7 4720HQ @ 2.60GHz, 8.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz, 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M, SSD.

CCleaner was just an example, Chrome and iTunes also showed slow startup times, did not test other programs after the issue dawned on me.

Fix: I have uninstalled, rebooted, re-installed, then couldn’t start anything, rebooted again and now the issue seems to be resolved.

I did not check which shield was causing the problem, that would indeed be interesting.
TL;DR Clean re-install of Avast to solve slow program startup.

Asyn · 2017-02-06T17:27:33.000Z

Koen13 post:5:

Fix: I have uninstalled, rebooted, re-installed, then couldn’t start anything, rebooted again and now the issue seems to be resolved.

Thanks for the feedback.

system · 2017-02-06T21:13:32.000Z

The problem has returned. Therefore I am able to analyze it. The specific shield, unsurprisingly, is the File System Shield, either disabling it (or the setting Scan Programs When Executing) or excluding the location of the .exe you want to open resolves the issue. No one else has had issues lately?

Eddy · 2017-02-07T03:17:42.000Z

Lately ?
I never had it except when avast 2015 was introduced and I had it running on a Athlon XP 2000+ system with 2Gb ram and 512Mb video ram.

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