As a reformed luddite I am most confused. I have had Avast Free for several years and am still using version 7.0.1474 since all the problems with the updated version last year. Now my Avast has come up with a new fun game. This evening it has decided that I am in 30day trial mode for Avast Pro anti-virus. I have not asked for this, I am happy with the free version of Avast. All I know is that Avast did not update automatically when I booted up so I tried to get Avast to open up. It took a while and when it did it told me I was in 30 day trial mode and need to obtain a licence. When I try I do not get the option to register for Avast free, only to pay for Avast pro.
After last years debacle and now this. Any one recommend an alternative free security package to Avast, or does anyone know how to solve this latest lovely mess from Avast?
For a real clean install of avast I recommend this:
Go to the windows update website. ( http://update.microsoft.com ) and install all updates available for your system.
You may have to visit that website/reboot multiple times before everything is installed.
Check device manager and make sure there are no errors there at all.
No red cross(es), no exclamation mark(s).
If any is there, solve that first by installing the latest correct drivers for the device.
Next:
First make sure there are no remnants of a previously install av other than avast.
http://www.ache.nl > malware > remove (old) av
- Download Avastclear, Rejzors uninstall tool and the appropriate Avast program edition.
Here are the installer links. Note: You need to be ONLINE during this install.
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup_online.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_online.exe
Avastclear : http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe
Rejzors Uninstall tool: http://rejzor.wordpress.com/avast-cleanup-tool/
- Uninstall Avast by control panel [If you don’t have Avast in control Panel go to #4]
- Uninstall in Safe Mode using Avastclear.
http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility - Run Rejzors Uninstall Utility in Normal Mode (removes traces avastclear doesn’t) - reboot.
http://rejzor.wordpress.com/avast-cleanup-tool/ - Be Sure Too Check Once Uninstall is Complete:Device Manager>View>Show Hidden Devices
If there is anything related to Avast with a yellow triangle then uninstall it (highlight, right click) and reboot. - Install the version you downloaded.
- Reboot.
offline installers:
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup.exe
Did you recently run a system restore?
Thanks Eddy, I understand part of what you’re suggesting, but probably not enough to actually successfully achieve it. Avast was suggested to me because of the simplicity of using it for a partially reformed luddite like me and because it’s supposed to be the best free antivirus programme. It certainly isn’t proving simple at the moment and I am beginning to wish I’d stuck with AVG. I think I need to take a pace back and maybe chat to one of the friends who suggested Avast in the first place. I’ve got 29days to do it! 
No Alikan I havn’t done a system restore recently. I could do with my faith in Avast restoring at the moment though.
I would follow Eddy’s advice and that should work for you. The only thing I can think of is you might have inadvertently triggered the Avast Pro trial during the registration process. I remember distinctly you have a choice (during the registration process) to either “stay with standard protection” or “upgrade your protection.” I’m guessing if one makes the wrong choice, then they could end up where you are now. I apologize if this is no help.
Good luck to you.
It is not really hard to “trigger” pro trial, it is a kind of weasel design; especially old people often get trial version unintentionally, with “features” that sometimes block their internet access. They, so it seems, don’t expect such tricks from security software.
Ok, so you have/had avg on that system.
First thing to do is to remove it completely.
Select the appropriate util for it from here:
http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities
And don’worry about the “29 days”.