I use Avast Free for several years (currently 8.0.1483 on XP SP3 32 bit). Since the program update to Avast 8 a problem occurs whenever I use Windows Restore (i.e. restoring Win to a few hours earlier state, not going back as far as any Avast program update). After restore and reboot the Avast switches to Pro version and shows 29 days trial. I have never downloaded or licensed a Pro version. The “Subscription” menu item is available but there are no settings or buttons to revert it back to Avast Free. The only way I was able to get it back to Avast Free was to recover the whole Windows partition. I’m guessing removing and reinstalling Avast Free would probably work too. Avast 7 was working fine after Windows Restore.
Why using Windows restore in the first place? It is crap.
It looks like Windows is restoring to a point before you have entered the free license key. You did do that right?
Just because you don’t use Windows Restore and cannot find good purpose for it does not mean no one else shouldn’t use it. It works great for quick and clean restore to a previous state, for example when one installs, tests, and then removes a software and wants to be absolutely sure there will be no leftovers in the registry and the system folders (some sw don’t work well on VM where I usually test).
My license # entry was months ago and the last program update was days ago. I was only restoring to a restoring point that was only hours earlier. So, the answer is; I’m absolutely sure I was not restoring to a non-licensed or a corrupt program version (e.g. discrepancy between registry and last program update). The only discrepancy was between the registry and the virus definition file, which caused no issues in the past (with Avast 7).
Btw. for test purposes, I tried the same thing a day later (received couple of virus definition files in the meantime) restoring to two different restoring points and the result was always the same. I’m quite sure anyone with Avast Free 8 and using Windows restore to i.e. previous day can replicate the problem.
This just happened to me as well. I run avast free on XP sp3. Had to do a system restore to try and avert some negative side effects of running Advanced System Care. Did the system restore yesterday. It was fine that day. On starting the computer this morning, I got this alert from avast that I hadn’t initiated the trial of Pro. The screen indicate that I’m running Pro, but the the task bar icon doesn’t indicate pro when I mouse over it. I don’t think it downloaded virus definitions today either.
Very strange. Just want to revert to free please…
This is my situation also. I want the free version back! I run win 7 32 bit do I use windows restore? I don’t understand all the partition stuff.
Hi Guys
Sorry, cant help with the free → Pro thing, but i can tell you a much better option that using system restore.
For Windows XP or Vista use “Windows Steady State.” Steady State is FREE. We use it on about 800 computers and it ROCKS ! Never mind “restore”, If you want to dump every change you jsut made, just turn the computer off and back on and it is reset to your last state when you set it. Viruses, malware, pop ups, tool bars, etc… POOF* Gone ! You can also tell Steady State to automatically run updates once a day (week, etc) and also give it a custom script to update other software on your computer too.
For Windows 7 or 8, use Faronics “Deep Freeze” It will work on everything actually, but it is $35. You can get bulk pricing and it there is a network administrator version to push updates. but will not auto update on its own like Steady State.
With both of these it is best to repartition the hard drive, setting up a seperate partition for data files and re-pointing all of your “my documents, music, pictures, etc” over to the new partition. This way you can lock down the OS partition and still manipulate all of your data files.
Known crap issue,
- Download aswclear.exe to desktop, run in safe mode & re install avast free. This is a ongoing issue if you use avast version 8 Free!!!. With xp system restore
I have reversed back to Version 7 aslong as you have the virus definitions up to date it will protect you.
Just to share a good news here. I’ve tested Avast Free BETA 8.0.1484 and looks like the System Restore problem has been fixed.