I need to burn a new BIOS. The BIOS update application says that I should stop my AV application (which I think seems a reasonable request). However, there is no option to stop Avast.
I’m not a great fan of software that thinks it is wiser than I am.
Dan
It is the first thing malware would try to do…so it should not be easy
if you right click avast tray icon, you can stop all shields
Thank you for your reply, but I am uncertain how that make things more secure than simply allowing me to exit the application?
Surely any malware clever enough to make it past the shield (and therefore able to “click” on a File|Exit menu) would have the ability to stop the Avast service via the Service Manager UI? If it really is a possibility, why not add a captcha or equivalent trap?
Avast is easily the best AV product, though. This is the first time that it has got in my way; I just wondered why. 
Dan
There is no “file|exit”, and the defense module won’t let you stop the service.
For the BIOS update, read the instructions and comfirm if you can do it under Windows Safe Mode. If you can (which is probably correct and recommended, but you should review this with your BIOS / mainboard manufacturer), you can start Windows in Safe Mode and run the BIOS update under those conditions.
Alternatively, there are other methods to update your BIOS, not under Windows.
Alternatively, there are other methods to update your BIOS, not under Windows.One reason all my PCs always have a floppy disk drive. The other reason is to install vendor SATA drivers at OS installation time.
That’s odd. I eventually found that I can stop the Avast Service via Control Panel. I get the usual swap-to-admin dialog but other than that, it’s a five-second operation.
I do not have nor want a floppy drive on this PC; Gigabyte allow you to update the BIOS for their motherboards from within Windows. The Dual-BIOS feature that they have is really nice.
What exactly is odd?
I do not have nor want a floppy drive on this PC; Gigabyte allow you to update the BIOS for their motherboards from within Windows. The Dual-BIOS feature that they have is really nice.
My comment was not related to a device, but to the OS. AFAIK, you can update your BIOS using UFD and the built in update method in the BIOS itself, so no OS is needed (and no floppy either).
In any case, you already have your answer, including several alternative methods to perform this operation next time.