Avast Free using >1GB memory

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Avast Free 19.8.2393 (build 19.8.4793.545), UI version 1.0.437, on 64-bit Win 7 Ultimate is sucking up memory - routinely AvastSvc.exe is running over 1GB of memory (Private Working Set) even immediately following a reboot. It occasionally dips briefly to 300-400MB, but usually up around 1,020,000k and sometimes up to 1,070,000k. This is making my system sluggish at best, and at times CPU utilization spikes up to 100% as well and I have to reboot.

I’ve tried rebooting - no help. Tried turning off web shield - no help. Tried using the Repair button under Troubleshooting - no help.

What can I do about this?

Thanks,

Rebeccah

2
  • Other security related software installed…?
  • Which AV(s) did you use before Avast…?
3

I’ve been using Avast Free forever.
It’s been a long time since I’ve used anything else. I had Malware bytes installed before, but it should be disabled - I use it on demand. Long time ago I have ZoneAlarm, but it seriously impacted my system performance and I uninstalled it. That was years ago.

I think that’s it, but I’ll double check and get back to you.

4

First, be sure to get rid of all remnants of any prior installed AV(s)…!!
→ https://support.avast.com/article/11/

Then:

  1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
  2. Follow instructions: https://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.

PS: Regarding Avast & Malwarebytes, see: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/200324-exclusions-for-avast-users/

5

Yeah, only Malwarebytes free, so no real-time protection. Last scan 162 days ago.

Rebeccah

6

Thanks, Asyn, I’ll start with that.

Rebeccah

7

No problem, report back…