Quote: I’m wondering if the following windows update is what’s causing your problem
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2823324
I’ve checked through the list of updates very carefully and don’t think I’ve got that one installed, so that can’t be the cause. At the moment I’ve got both windows adn Reader updates due to be installed, but because I can’t re-boot without a load of problems I don’t dare install them.
When looking at the updates that you have installed it should have a date of around 4/10/13 (at least that is when I installed it on my pc)
I did read the information at that link and I can see where that may be causing the issue for some of us but why not everyone who is running windows? I checked and I installed that update on 4/10/13 and I did not have my problem until 4/13/13. At least MS has removed the download links for that update while investigating and it does state to uninstall that update if it has been installed (maybe I should uninstall that update - just to be on the safe side — so that the problem does not start up again on me too).
If you don’t have that update installed on your pc maybe you could try following the steps for the complete uninstall in safe mode and then try installing version 7 which can be found at http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/13608/ (unless of course you can’t even restart in safe mode without all sorts of problems).
I don’t have that update, because I haven’t been able to install the latest Windows updates. Can download them, but then have to re-boot to complete the installation and that’s impossible to do in the normal way.
Can start in safe mode and have uninstalled and re-installed Avast numerous times, but with all the problems that come with the re-boot (black screen with cursor) version 8 and the pro warnings are back again when I finally manage to start.
These problems began in March when I changed from Avast free 7 to Avast free 8.
Used the link to Avast V7 that you gave, but despite what I mark only V8 downloads!
I HATE COMPUTERS…
Unlike most of the posters here, I’m not an avast “FAN”, just a user for the past three years.
I too have had this problem and done everything mentioned above, as in ‘FULL uninstall’ etc., then fresh install from scratch to get back to the free version. It worked…
…for ten days, then just like the rest of those above, back came the ‘upgraded to pro/trial/expired’ message and all that junk.
BUT, being just a user, not a ‘fan’ I’m not going to fiddle-faddle about every few days or whenever avast feels like making me a pro, I’m just going to go back to AVG which I used for years till it got too slow.
But the point of this post and what worries me most, is that avast themselves MUST be aware of the problem. So either they won’t admit to there being a problem, which does not inspire confidence, or it’s a deliberate ploy to fool some free users into going pro, which is totally unprofessional. Meaning that I’ve lost trust with the company as a whole and won’t be trying to fix it - and having lost confidence I’m also going to remove it from my Android because I’ve lost trust altogether.
Nice one avast - I’ll get my coat and close the door as I leave. What a shame: it was so good until a few weeks ago… 
:-\
EDIT: I’ve just remembered that the first time it happened was immediately after I downloaded a program via CNET: despite my using 'custom install and refusing all the toolbars, extra programs etc., I got infected with surplus programs, avast did the above AND malwarebytes got disabled. Took over two hours to restore all to normal: The program was ‘miditzer’, available only from CNET and the developers are trusted and do not add malware or additional stuff to their own program.
I thought it was just coincidence (and still do…) but if anyone else has had the ‘pro’ message after using CNET it may just be an answer and something avast can investigate…
I am having the same problem as well. I have had to uninstall Avast four times in the last three weeks. My paid version expired last month, then i went back to the free version. But the problem is, it keeps going back to the expired version. When it does, I uninstall completely and install the free version. I even went so far as making a new account.
No matter what i do, it goes back to the expired paid version. I have been a fan and user of Avast for the past three years. Considered it the best. But this issue is getting on my nerves, and I’m looking at other programs for the first time in three years.
This is ridiculous.
This Bug should be resolved with the latest version 8.0.1488 (released yesterday): http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=122948.0
DJBone
Exactly the same problem here, but only on my desktop pc and not on my netbook, both of which have Avast Free installed, which I update regularly.
What no-one else has mentioned, unless I have missed it, is that if you open the Avast interface, only the Scan can be used. If you click on any of the other features, Software Updater, Safezone, Browser Cleanup and Firewall, a popup says “This component is not available”.
So, I am assuming the antivirus part of the software is still protecting my machine as it should, and I’m going to sit back and wait for Avast to sort it out in due course. I’m certainly not going to start fiddling about uninstalling and reinstalling the program, it’s not my problem!