AvastSvc.exe taking up 50% of CPU. Can't stop it.

AvastSvc.exe is using 50% of my CPU time. I still run Windows XP. I saw previous discussion about this but no one suggested how to stop it. Is there a way? Windows Task Manager will not give me access to that process to end it. Do I have to take Avast off my computer altogether? It took 5 minutes to type t his message because the computer is so slow with AvastSvc.exe running.

You could try a clean install.

Uninstaller - Avast AV for XP / Vista
https://install.avcdn.net/iavs9x-xp/avastclear.exe

Installers working on XP/Vista:
https://install.avcdn.net/av/avast/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_online.exe
https://install.avcdn.net/av/avast/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup_online.exe
https://install.avcdn.net/av/avast/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_online.exe

https://install.avcdn.net/iavs9x-xp/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
https://install.avcdn.net/iavs9x-xp/avast_internet_security_setup_offline.exe
https://install.avcdn.net/iavs9x-xp/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_offline.exe