I’m writing this because I wish someone had warned me earlier. For days I was stuck with the ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DENIED error in Google Play Games. I wasted hours reinstalling software, checking services, deleting folders… it was incredibly frustrating and emotionally draining.
The culprit was Avast. It silently blocked internal emulator components and left behind network filters even after uninstalling it. It cost me time, energy, and a lot of unnecessary stress. And the worst part is that Windows 11 does NOT need Avast. Microsoft Defender already provides full protection without breaking legitimate apps.
It’s unacceptable for an antivirus to cause this kind of silent damage. If you use emulators or software that relies on internal networking, Avast can ruin your experience without warning. I hope this review saves someone else from the same frustration.