Before Proceeding
Chances are nothing will go wrong with a clean un-re-install but if something does you want a backup…thus,
I’d highly recommended to do a offline (eg. USB HDD) image of your PC prior to the below process.
A lot of imaging software out there to choose from…I personally use Macrium Reflect Free.…but this is of course your choice.
example links: Macrium FREE or Windows Imaging
Avast Un-Re-Install Steps
Download Avast Uninstall Utility to your Desktop.
Download the correct version of Avast to your Desktop. Avast Free Avast Pro Avast Internet Security Avast Premier
Disconnect from the Internet (the above installer links are for offline use).
Uninstall Avast via Control Panel .
Run Avast Uninstall Utility, accept reboot to safe mode, follow the instructions and you’ll ultimately come back to Windows Normal Mode.
Next,
Go to Device Manager (Control Panel>System).
UnHide any hidden devices by selecting pull-down menu Device Manager>View>Show Hidden Devices.
If there is anything related to Avast with a yellow triangle then uninstall or delete it (highlight, right click).
Once complete reboot your system.
Reinstall Avast (select CUSTOM in installer and only items you want) Custom Install How-To Video
Avast’s “Custom Install” allows you to check and uncheck (ie, to remove bloat-ware) the extras you want or don’t want (eg. in Tools Menu section). This is all individual preference on what you do and don’t want…I am not promoting or ridiculing any of the “extras” just outlining the install option. An example of this is not installing GrimeFighter during the Custom Install…a link that shows the example: http://techdows.com/2013/12/uninstall-avast-grimefighter.html
There are some items to disable based on known bugs/issues…one is Avast AOS…aka Online Security.
You can disable the add-in once installed in your browser or during the Custom Install uncheck Browser Protection in the Tools section. Additionally, you may want to research NG in Tools and decide if you really want this installed, while IMHO it is a great concept it consumes huge amount of PC resources. Here is post on description: What is NG ?
Also, note that Chrome or Dropbox or other “push-ware” is sometimes auto-checked in some of the Avast installer versions…so be sure not to get click happy and not read each page…in other words uncheck if you don’t want it. I think people just click thru screens without reading and more-and-more packages are having the defaults for these sneak-ware installs as default check box ON.
Since this is a proposed discussion on the sequence published above, there’s something I’d like to bring up…
Have you personally taken apart (or seen the source for) and vetted that 3rd party cleaner tool (“Rejzors Uninstall Utility”) you’re recommending?
Do you know for a fact that Avast’s own uninstaller doesn’t remove everything necessary to effect a full reinstallation? What, EXACTLY, does Rejzors Uninstall Utility remove that Avast’s own cleaner tool does not?
From what I gather, Rejzors Uninstall Utility was written by a well-meaning member here, and in all likelihood is benign and helpful, but I can’t KNOW that without doing more work - and I suspect you can’t either. I mean no disrespect, but I should think anyone who’s concerned about security should ALWAYS question the advice to run a 3rd party utility from another web site.
Simple question that examines the motivation of the author: If it’s legit, why not post a list of things Avast missed to help the user clean up himself, and to help Avast improve their own cleaner tool - instead of publishing an extra “cleaner” tool?
Before anyone flames me for questioning something that’s “unquestionable”, I’d like to mention that I’m against running ANY kind of “cleaner” tool. I’m of the opinions that it’s all too easy to dig a hole in one’s security deeper, and if the Avast folks don’t think it needs to be removed, then maybe they know what they’re doing and there’s no reason to remove it.
FYI, I’ve been through an uninstall / reinstall recently (yesterday), and the problem I was having where settings would not stick was solved by doing so - all without running Rejzors Uninstall Utility.
Can’t say I have not had same thought so guess folks could use that part as “optional”.
Another suggestion from “me” (as opposed to the cut-n-paste I did above) is to use CCleaner after the uninstall.
I personally have used this for many-many-many years and is the only cleaner I’d trust.
I am like most folks and never think using a reg cleaner or file cleaner is good…causes more problems than fixes.
However, I’ve found this a very reliable tool and with a lot of pedigree.
After install I’d open and run the “Windows”, “Application” tab analyze, then run cleaner.
I’d then selection the Registry item to left and run the Scan for Issues & Fix Selected Issues.
Note, it allows you to backup the registry items it is cleaning…always a good thing to do. http://www.piriform.com/
For me my AV/Malware protection strategy on my personal PCs is:
Avast Free
MalwareBytes {Yes, I run the active shield and daily scan, does not conflict with Avast)
CCleaner {I right click daily on Recycle Bin & Hit run…cleans all those nasty temp files, etc…virus haven}
CryptoPrevent (Ran this util once to change Group Policy to help with CryptoLock}
As far as commenting on the 2nd uninstaller…I won’t blast you for your opinion but many very senior folks have use it in this forum and by the nature of this forum there has to be a level of trust. For me, I’m still on Avast V8…tried V9 on one PC and rolled back to V8 because clearly wasn’t ready for prime time. I’ve found that major code rewrites of complex programs take 6-9 months to get stable. While there are a lot of great people on the forum (and in BETA) that have time to do the testing I do not…don’t want to be on bleeding edge…I rely on using my PCs daily and their downtime would kill me. Anyway, I digress. My point is the nature of how invasive the suggestions in this forum can be (great example is the virus removal tools) that there has to be some level of trust. With that said, I do agree that a “member’s” code should really be questioned…more so, why Avast Team doesn’t quickly incorporate (if truly needed) into their avastclear. All I can say it that if you truly need a “totally” clean install this is one more tool in the war chest.
Do you have another link to this version? I removed Avast 2014 from my Windows 7 64-bit machine and tried installing this version (twice), but it keeps installing 2014.9.0.2011. I’m having trouble with 2014 and would like to roll back if possible. Thanks.
I do not…perhaps others do. My guess is that there is such an intense push to move everyone to Avast 9 that the last legacy links for download of Avast 8 are being asked to change. I can tell you the Avast 8 installer/download is 128MB…which the FileHippo shows but as you said when you download the file is ~85MB…which is Avast 9.
Whilst it doesn’t explicitly state XP, I think it may be that RejZoR didn’t test it on XP. It may work. But if it doesn’t since you would be running this last (after normal uninstall, plus avast uninstall utility) it wouldn’t hurt to try.
I did try it. Seemed to execute with no problems at all.
The author of part of it is actually Mark Russinovich, and I believe he does know what he’s doing.
Maybe it is overkill too, but I have my reasons…
New install hung my system up at the ‘quick scan will now launch’ point. Could be other cause for that… No internet connection, perhaps?
Powered off and restart, no problem. Sure is a clean install!
Well the on-demand scans don’t require an Internet connection as far as I’m aware, or where would those off-line systems be if the wanted to do a Quick Scan.
Is there an option in the Free to not install GrimeFighter ?
This how-to link does not show GrimeFighter under Tools (look in Custom section): http://www.avast.com/en-in/faq.php?article=AVKB3#artTitle
…but the pick from other thread showing in someone’s “Change” in Windows Program Features shows it.
I’m just wondering if the Avast link is dated or if some versions have and some don’t…or it is forced installed and you have to uninstall after ?
Bump to the top of the Forum since I keep updating the first post with other updates/thoughts from other folks in other threads.
Is there is something useful I am missing…and/or something wrong in first post…let me know and I’ll update/edit the post.
