how to scan a single file?

Viruses and worms
1

I sometimes download files. When I do I want to scan them to make sure they’re safe.

My practice is to right-click the file, choose Scan selected files for viruses. That option has the Avast icon.

I used to get a response a few seconds later saying it’s scanned and all good. For the last few months that hasn’t been happening. I never get any kind of notification that tells me if a file it safe or dangerous.

How do I fix this?

2

Files are scanned in realtime when downloaded

you can test with eicar test file https://www.eicar.org/download-anti-malware-testfile/

a better way to test files is to upload en test them with 70+ scan engines at www.virustotal.com
you can also check URLs for blacklisting at VT

3

As pondus said, you shouldn’t need to do this - on what is an on-access antivirus scanner, so the web shield and or the file system shield should have scanned your download.

I have just opened Windows Explorer and selected a file right click to start the scan on the file, the scan completed relatively quickly (small file) and a popup windows bottom right of the screen opens to confirm the scan and result. There is also a More Details option which opens the main UI window.

You don’t say how big this file or file type it was, compressed file/archive could take a little while.

You don’t say what Avast Program and version number that you are running (and ideally this topic should have been posted in that sub-forum) ?

4

That’s good to know. But then why does this option even exist? And it used to notify me when done.

I have just opened Windows Explorer and selected a file right click to start the scan on the file, the scan completed relatively quickly (small file) and a popup windows bottom right of the screen opens to confirm the scan and result. There is also a More Details option which opens the main UI window.

I’m not getting that option. Not sure why. That’s kind of the problem.

You don't say how big this file or file type it was, compressed file/archive could take a little while.

Various sizes, but let’s say a gig. Like downloading a movie.

You don't say what Avast Program and version number that you are running (and ideally this topic should have been posted in that sub-forum) ?

My apologies, first time posting, this seemed to be the best place. I’m using Avast One Essential, version 23.76

5

We, who have responded are Avast Users, so some things we just can’t answer why some decisions are made.

I’m a little confused as I believe it was working for you to initiate the scan.

My practice is to right-click the file, choose Scan selected files for viruses. That option has the Avast icon.
Various sizes, but let's say a gig. Like downloading a movie.
A movie is going to be rather large and depending on its format, scanning it could take some time, but you should still get the window bottom right. Try it on a smaller file to check if the function is actually working.

I have just done that again but on a 650MB executable file (an Avast off-line installation file) and that threw up the window Explorer Scan completed in a couple of seconds or so.

My apologies, first time posting, this seemed to be the best place. I'm using Avast One Essential, version 23.76
Now this is why it is best to have asked about this in the Avast One for Windows sub forum. I have never used Avast One Essential and all of my answers related to the Avast Antivirus (Free) product and the User Interfaces are different (but I would have though this right click scan to check an individual file).

Reference you other topic, we will leave that there for now, once you have three posts you no longer have to decipher the word, etc. if the other one was removed now you would only have two posts.

6

No it doesnt.

Now this is why it is best to have asked about this in the Avast One for Windows sub forum. I have never used Avast One Essential and all of my answers related to the Avast Antivirus (Free) product and the User Interfaces are different (but I would have though this right click scan to check an individual file).

Actually I thought this was a virus scanner. If not then what is it? Maybe I downloaded a virus scanner once upon a time and it got upgraded at some point? Not sure. I wonder if that’s when this right-click option stopped working as well.

Reference you other topic, we will leave that there for now, once you have three posts you no longer have to decipher the word, etc. if the other one was removed now you would only have two posts.

Sorry I didnt understand what that meant.

7
[b]Actually I thought this was a virus scanner. If not then what is it?[/b] Maybe I downloaded a virus scanner once upon a time and it got upgraded at some point? Not sure. I wonder if that's when this right-click option stopped working as well.

The virus and worms sub forum is essentially for dealing with virus and worms. Your problem is program function related not that you have a virus as such.
I can’t respond to this ‘maybe situation’ other than this would be unlikely to present in ‘only this way’.

Reference you other topic, we will leave that there for now, once you have three posts you no longer have to decipher the word, etc. if the other one was removed now you would only have two posts.
Sorry I didnt understand what that meant.

When you log on to the forum as a new member you should have had a check that you were human rather than a bot on your first 3 posts.
This time being your 4th post, it shouldn’t have happened, I was simply trying to avoid your having to do that. Now you have crossed that hurdle it can be removed.

Note: I don’t work for Avast, I’m an Avast user just like you (and using a different Avast Product), so some questions I simply can’t answer.