My needs have changed and and I want to reverse my removal of AVAST from the context menu, but need an effective method. Not even uninstalling and re-installing Avast achieves that !
A screenshot and/or more details of exactly what you are looking for
and what you currently see in the context menu might help.
More info needs to be provided definitely but my guess is that, as often is the case, an uninstall of a program, even using a provided tool leaves behind remnants.
I’m guessing that you have a AVAST registry key somewhere that was created when you disabled it originally to remove the right mouse context menu option. The original default key adding/disabling it in the context menu has not been over-written by a new one during the re-installation of AVAST and so it is still set to off.
However finding the key in question and altering the value to re-enable it is beyond my knowledge so I can not advise.
There are several locations in the registry for AVAST ‘shell’ and ‘shellex’ ContextMenuHandlers entries. Tools like ShellExView and ShellMenuView might help you find the one concerned. But whatever you do do not go fiddling around with the registry, particularly changing key values unless) i). you’ve backed it up first* and ii). you know what you’re doing.
So wait for other help here as there may be an easier solution but it wouldn’t hurt to check using those tools mentioned and see if any AVAST context menu entry is shown as disabled.
- even if you’re only just going into the registry I’d create a restore point before doing that and back up the registry as the first task before browsing through it.
You’ll find an excellent tutorial on how to Add, Remove, or Edit
the Context Menu here:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/remove-click-context-menu-items-editors
I had not been notified of a reply - that probably explains why I posted the question second time.
Bob - The recommended link https://www.thewindowsclub.com/remove-click-context-menu-items-editors is all about removing items; I am quite experienced with those techniques - I specifically want to UNDO one of my successful removals; if there is advice about that in the quoted link, then it evaded my noticing.
As you your first post Bob - I think I remember seeing a ‘scan with Avast’ entry in Context Menu - someone else has vouched for it being
there. It seems to me pointless to send a screen shot of an ABSENCE !
A clean install of Avast should put that function back into the context menu.
Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
If you need additional help with the Clean Install, watch this:
https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A
My first post said “Not even uninstalling and re-installing Avast achieves that !”
A clean install isn’t the same as uninstall and re-install.
So what IS a clean install ?
Total removals and a new installation.
What version of Windows are you using?
Win10V21H1 - Winv21H2 fails to install.
OK. I asked because there’s a difference if you’re using Windows 11.
Sorry to butt in here again but I still have to ask joephil42 if he did try either of those two programs I suggested to see if this problem is simply a matter of a left-over registry key from the previous uninstall(s) set to disable the AVAST context menu option?
ShellExView, a standalone portable tool ie. no installation required, seems to be the one to try and note the how to use section specifically mentions its use in enabling/disabling context menu items.
I’ve looked at my own installation using NirSoft’s ShellExView and there is a clear entry for AVAST marked as ‘Context Menu’. In my case it is shown as ‘On’.
If you can find this entry for your own installation using this tool and it is set to ‘Disabled’ then rather than faff around uninstalling and reinstalling AVAST it has to be worth the risk changing it to ‘On’ just to see if it fixes the problem.
As I said before: create a restore point before making any changes so you can go back if necessary.
“Total removals and a new installation.” I used IObit to remove Avast, and then re-installed it. It did NOT restore Avast to the Context menu.
‘either of those two programs I suggested’ I have not - partly because it’s not clear to me which TWO programs you suggested.
‘scan selected item for viruses’ - now appeared in the File Context Menu after toggling the ‘no’ in ShellExView for Avast : Context menu. Problem solved; thank you VERY much.
IObit is a generic removal tool. All AV’s have their own removal tool.
That’s good news.
Glad my suggestion worked.
However as bob3160 said the problem was probably caused because you didn’t use the AVAST Uninstaller utility. IObit and even Revo Uninstaller run the Windows uninstaller for the program first. That always leaves behind leftovers.
Both those programs will run additional cleanups which should remove post uninstall redundant registry keys but they can still leave behind things too. So, with AVAST, its always recommended to use their purpose designed uninstaller in the way specified.