A “repair install” in W7 leaves all your old data AND previously installed programs.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/243190/how_to_repair_a_corrupt_windows_7_installation.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html
Windows 8 Refresh does not keep your previously installed programs like W7 repair install does…MS’s theory on why…
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/04/refresh-and-reset-your-pc.aspx
However, here is way…
How to Create a Custom Recovery Image to Use to Refresh Windows 8 and 8.1
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/3610-refresh-windows-8-create-use-custom-recovery-image.html
However, for “Avast” I’d still do what Tech suggested.