These scare tactics are so lame.
Isn’t Avast worried about it’s credibility and reputation?
Along with several other users I can confirm that if you go back to change install settings by doing a “Change” from Add/Remove Programs, Grime Fighter is checked as “Installed” even if one has not purchased the actual program. It’s true, when the popup is clicked it takes you to a purchase page, but that page is to activate the program, not to install it … so the user above who arrogantly dissed the other posters is in fact wrong.
I suspect that un-activated GrimeFighter is a nagware/bloatware utility and leads to the popups that have been irritating us all. Having just uninstalled it I won’t know for a day or two …
Avast should be careful … installing bloatware and using it to convince us that by buying it they’ll reduce bloatware is highly-questionable behavior, and if they keep it up it’s going to ruin their good name. I, too, have recommended the program to many users; installed it on quite a few friends’ and family’s PCs myself … some have bought the paid version too. If this stuff continues my recommendations will have to change.
Avast, is it going the way of ZoneAlarm???
I started using ZA, in the early 2000’s, it was a sweet program, easy, fast, and simple to use, and.was for years, Then Checkpoint got a hold of it…bloat, bloatier, now BLOATIEST!!!
I recommended ZA to untold thousands, with many doing the paid version. Now I will not use it, it thinks it knows better than me.
I do not like being burnt, even years later…
I likewise have recommended Avast to many, many users.
It appears perhaps…someone at Avast has got it in their head that they know better than me about my PC. A slippery slope, however, low info users will probably welcome it, just like how they click on other PC “clean tool” popups…and what a payload they get!
Back to Avast, and ZA…with Avast 9, the aswrvrt.sys reared its ugly head on my desktop, and now it is a brick…when I get to it I will have to reinstall Windows.
I almost made the same mistake with my laptop…and as soon as the aswrvrt.sys hang appeared I removed ZA, and did a registry restore. This saved my laptop from becoming a Frisbee!
Whether it is Avast’s fault or ZA’s, it is unimportant for now. But if Avast goes bloatier, I may place the blame on Avast, and post “THAT” far and wide.
AVAST, provide a lean version,
by staying lean and mean
staking out that position,
savvy users will flock to you,
and recommend it to others
Of which many will buy the full version.
On the web since the early '90’s. BB user since the '80’s
I get exactly the same results from Add/Remove/Change in my free version. Obviously there’s considerable difference of opinion (and maybe even a touch of dishonesty) as to whether or not grimefighter is actually installed. I’m inclined to agree with whoever suggested that it’s probably always installed but requires paid registration to become activated.
Sorry, but I must join in with everyone else in saying that you are are the one who is mistaken.
If it was not installed, it would not be able to scan your system and determine what problems it can fix and what tweaks it can make. What you are being extorted into paying for is NOT the GrimeFighter application, but to unlock it’s repair functionality. A LOT programs play this dirty trick, and it’s really sad and pathetic to see Avast doing it.
As far as your claim that running the uninstaller does nothing. If by nothing you mean it stops the GrimeFighter pop ups and removes it from the GUI, then yes, I guess it does ‘do nothing’. FYI, reinstalling it returns it to the same operation as before uninstalling in as much as you start getting annoying pop-ups again and have GUI references to it.
Ignoring this garbage of having to uninstall a trial version of something I didn’t even want, other issues remain, like the fact scans seem to take even longer now than ever before.
My support and recommendations of Avast may very well be coming to an end. Between their mobile app being updated 2-3 times a month every month, and the PC app getting more fluffy and bloated (4.7 was the last truly decent version). Everything I liked about the program that made me want to use it and recommend it are quickly going away. Makes me want to go back to Microsoft Security Essentials.
To be fair AVG has its own “tune up” utility and has also advertised it within their own product…
I installed it - it wouldn’t work - call support - they tried to sell me a $119 or $179 service - I have submitted a refund request for Grime Fighter. Also for purchased AVAST Antivirus - Have removed Avast antivirus and installed another antivirus product. when I boot a screen appears with run Grime Fighter or return to Window - very annoying - HOW DO I UNINSTALL GRIME FIGHTER? Thanks, Denny
control panel > software > avast > add/remove > change
And next time, please use the search option on this webboard as this has been explained in other threads already.
And do not " hijack" thread, but start your own.
The question remains, is there a way to get rid of these pathetic scare pop ups?
Follow Eddy’s suggestion and get rid of GrimeFighter.
It was also installed on my computer without my knowledge.
I had to uninstall it as well with a paid Avast Pro version installed on Windows 8
Using the custom install instead of the default, gives you the opportunity to uncheck those items
you prefer not to install. Using the default installation, installs what the manufacturer decided
was best for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUDTLn6dMKk
No it doesn’t, or it didn’t when I installed the program.
As several people have confirmed here earlier, despite evangelists insisting it was a choice.
Are you saying you did not get a box to deselect unwanted items, or you deselected them but they installed
anyway?
In my own experience, doing a clean, custom install always gives you the chance to opt-out, and my choices have always
been honored.
Did you look at the video ??? It shows it quite clearly. 
Your experience is not my experience.
Believe what you like.
It’s not a question of believing what I like. What I did say was my findings were based on my own experience.
I’m perfectly open to accepting somebody else saw something different.
Did you look at Bob’s video? Where did your experience differ?
I saw no mention of “Grime” until it started popping up trying to entice me into using (and it seems, buying) it.
The point is that at least some people found this installed without warning or permission.
It is a premium product. It can scan your system for free (See system requirements.) but, you need to purchase the product in order to apply any
“fixes” or eliminations of “Grime”. http://www.avast.com/en-us/grimefighter
Unless you use the custom install, it will windup on your computer if your computer meets the requirements needed for the product.
(My system doesn’t meet those requirements since GrimeFighter doesn’t work on Windows 8.)
I always do custom installs for everything, precisely to avoid such crap.
It installed itself without any warning or consent, presumably in an “update”.