Avast blocks windows API: folder browsing, launching ie, chrome, etc...

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I am at a loss. Avast is preventin XP from running normally. It is blocking browsing folders in explorer. Blocks chrome and ie – process is launched but no window. Prevents accessing properties on My Computer. Prevents displaying programs in Add/Remove. During shutdown all programs running time out on shutting themselves down … Including explorer.exe.

Only way to regain normality is to disable avast service from running (while in safe mode).

I checked the system with malware bytes, hijack this, tsskiller, and combo fix nothing bad or suspicious found. System runs smoothly without avast.

Anythoughts?
Thanks
Rob

2
  • Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS)
  • Which version…??
  • OS…?? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP…?)
  • Other security related software installed…??
3

Sorry, XP pro sp3. Avast free (7.0.1456.148). Malwarebytes Currently installed (but I tried it without it installed).

R

4
  1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
  2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.
5

Would you be able to create and upload a full memory dump (description how to do that is here: https://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=71 - a PS/2 keyboard is required though, doesn’t work with USB), taken at the moment the problem is manifested - i.e. when you launched a process, but its window is not appearing?
Thanks!