So I recently just reinstalled Avast onto my laptop, and I’ve noticed that the Avast scan is no longer on the right click menu when selecting something to scan. How do I put it back on to the menu?
Repair Avast:
- Control Panel → Add/Remove programs → Avast
- Click on ‘Repair’.
- Follow instructions.
- Reboot.
Didn’t work.
If the repair doesn’t work, the clean install is the only option.
You need to perform a clean install:
Note: It’s important you used the stub online installer from the one I linked… NOT the offline one.
Note: You need to be ONLINE during this install (online installer works in all cases whereas offline sometimes doesn’t)
1.Download your version of avast! and the avastclear tool:
Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Pro Antivirus
Avast Internet Security
Avast Premier
Download Avast Clear Tool
- Uninstall Avast by control panel [If you don’t have Avast in control Panel go to #3]
- Uninstall in safe mode using Avastclear. [Running Avastclear is normal mode will give a prompt to go into Safe Mode]
Check : Once uninstalled check in device manager>view>show hidden devices if there is anything related to avast with a yellow triangle… if so, uninstall it and reboot. - Install the version you downloaded.
- Reboot.
Free: If you have the Free version, register the product for free for a year from the avast! UI.
Paid: If you have a paid license, insert the license key/activation code after the reboot at stage 6.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. It’s better to ask than make a mistake and start over again with the process.
That still didn’t work.
Odd. Did you import any avast config after the install?
Not that I know of. I followed your instructions to the word.
I don’t think you imported any custom settings then since it wasn’t mentioned above.
avast! UI > Settings > General > Special Scans
Is Explorer scan listed there?
Click settings and ensure scan all files is checked?
When you posted quote: “I’ve noticed that the Avast scan is no longer on the right click menu when selecting something to scan”, what you’re right/clicking on to get the context menu for either files or folders would apply to your respective “File Manager” function for your OS.
In the case of Windows it is either “Windows Explorer” unless your OS is WIN8 in which case it is called “File Explorer”, in any case whatever the “File Manager” is called this is what your using to right/click on either the files and or folders listed in the “File Manager”, RIGHT?
Because outside of the OS’s “File Manager” there are some places the right/click context menu does not apply to the Avast scanner.
It is checked. So what’s the problem?
That is correct. Also the files I’m trying to scan are in either the “Downloads” folder or the “Documents” folder.
Jamie, I’m going to get some attention to your thread from a malware analyst.
They can dig deeper than me as I don’t see any issues.
It can’t be Malware so soon though because I have Malwarebytes installed and it was only yesterday that I did a factory reset on my computer.
Well, he’ll analyse the system if there are any conflicts with avast etc. Doesn’t need to be an issue with malware. He’ll reply to the thread when he’s online.
How will he analyse my computer? Will he connect to it via online connection?
He’ll request logs from software. It’s up to you if you want to do it or not. There won’t be any private information in logs etc.
And you are selecting one file at a time? (because selecting too many files can change the context menu as well)
Addendum: Btw, did you reboot after following the install steps provided by Alikhan?
Just checking 
Well if it’s only log files, then that won’t be a problem.
Yeah I rebooted the computer. I had to anyway to get out of safe mode.
Wait a second, did you install avast in safe mode? He’s asking did you reboot after the install?
You should definitely wait for the “malware analyst” to get in touch with you that Alikhan has arranged. Doing so will eliminate any possible issues that may exist that is causing the missing Avast context menu scanner.
That said FYI, (to do this is for EXPERIENCED users ONLY) there is a way to Add Any Application Shortcut to Windows Explorer’s Context Menu
Again, this is really intended for information purposes ONLY and clearly must be done by an experienced person. But I thought I’d just put this out there so that you know that this can be done and if by chance this issue is not ultimately resolved then perhaps you would know someone familiar with making changes to the computer registry. It is a simple tweak, but you should know that making changes to the registry can also cause a lot of damage if it’s not done correctly to the point the computer will not even work properly if a mistake is made. (of course the registry should always be backed up prior to making changes as well, which an experience person would know about as well, just in case a problem arises as a result of the change to the registry).
I’ll wait to do anything. It’s better to do it with an experts assistance. Thank you all for your help though.