Avast won't update

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I have the free version on Vista. The virus definition or program won’t update. When I try manually it just sits at the initializing part. When it’s supposed to automatically update I get a pop up that says it failed to connect. I tried to uninstall and reinstall but it won’t unistall. I can’t even delete the folder from the hard drive. Short of reformating, what do I do?

2

Set avast! to: Direct Connection (No Proxy)

3

I tried the different setting and it still doesn’t work. Thanks for the reply.

4
  • Which version of avast! free…??
  • OS…?? (32/64 Bit…? - which SP…?)
  • Other security related software installed…??
  • Which AV did you use before avast!..??
5

I’m using Avast Free.
Vista 32 bit SP2.
I have Ad-Aware (I’m not using the AV from Ad-Aware) and Spybot along with what comes with Vista.
I have always used Avast.

Thanks for the help.

6
  1. Get rid of SpyBot S&D as it’s a waste of time and HDD space.
  2. Use MalwareBytes Free or Pro (Pro has a one time cost of $25 for real-time protection) http://filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/
  3. Disable Windows Defender.
7

First, I’d drop SB, like suggested by Para-Noid.

Then:

  1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
  2. Follow instructions: http://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.
8

Thanks Asyn, that did the trick. Got rid of SB too.

9

You’re welcome.