I have an old computer (See my signature) with avast! Internet Security latest version installed. When I click on or execute larger exe files avast seems take more time than before to scan in realtime which makes me to hold until it finishes in background.
Do you have any tips I can follow to improve performance on avast while having current specifications, by either changing settings or disabling/removing real time shields? Or else changing Windows configuration such as disabling Windows firewall?
I’ve already disabled cloud services as it improves performance and auto-sandbox too. Else no changes have been made to the program.
To be honest, you’ll experience that with any antivirus. I could tell you more if you tell us the PC specs, but from what i can see your computer is just too old.
And to be honest, i don’t think that disabling cloud features and Auto Sandbox will improve anything.
Instead, make sure that you have done at least 1 full scan with avast! so it caches clean files, that will speed things up considerably. You cannot avoid longer scan times on new files though. They’ll be scanned faster all the next times except for the very first time obviously.
Disabling the windows firewall would be a good start, adding an extra 1Gb of ram would do wonders if you have an extra slot ( if not stick a 2Gb in the single slot )
Hopefully you have left the default File system scan settings in place as that provides the best performance.
You can also see if there are any un-needed processes running which could be disabled via msconfig or the startup tool in CCleaner.
Missed the part about the specs. I’ve installed it on a similar specced system and it works sort of ok, the biggest issue is very slow HDD really.
I’m using AMD E-450 based system and overall i think it’s about the same as yours. Dual core or not. But i do have 4GB of RAM and have added SSD drive. And even with modern HDD it wasn’t that laggy. So, adding more RAM will certainly help A LOT. Shouldn’t cost you much, you might only have problems finding such old RAM though…
RejZoR: Thanks mate Yeah, the antivirus is just fine and work as it claims. I did try avast FREE antivirus and MSE too and performance was better. But avast IS is my favorite as it offer better protection, features and saved me a lot of times. And I don’t trust XP Firewall either. Just thought whether I can improve performance 'cause when I use 6.xx versions my PC was much faster when accessing larger files. Ah… Cloud features improved performance for me, may be it’s hard disk performance I guess. Turned off auto-sandbox, 'cause pop up windows are very buggy there. And TRUE, so hard to find SDRAM nowadays I forgot about transient cahe, I’ll do a full scan too
craigb: Thanks mate I had both firewalls ON, so I’ll turn it off and see. I’ve disabled unnecessary processes and check for 'em regularly when I install new softwares too. I’m perfectly alright with avast but only thing is that accessing larger files (450MB or so). Not critical, but slow Do you think if I reinstall avast! IS without unwanted features like Mail Shield, Network Shield etc. that will change something?
I doubt you would find any improvement in performance by removing shields, if there not being used then there dormant and not using any resources, definitely don’t remove the Network shield :o that does not affect your system file scanning performance anyway.
Alright craib If they are dormant no point of removing then. Disabled Firewall and see improvement in web browsing though. Thanks for that. Doing Full scan and hope transient cache will help out for some extent.
Just to add a small note, I’ve used AIS on my XP with only 1GB of Ram on the Dell and was unable to increase.
By looking at the OP’s signature (Security profile wise) 1 GB Ram is plenty. Now what other things he has that could consume Ram I don’t know but I did not experience any RAM difficulties or issues with the Security profile on my XP. 8)
Chris Thomas: Thanks for your helpful tips mate Really appreciate it. I have indexing service disabled already. I’ll try others on my PC. So far I’ve been playing games (Doom3, Riddick, Carbon etc.) in this system and were smoother. But when avast! scanning the larger files, it reminds me the age of my PC
schmidthouse: I’ve been on this PC for 11 years with upgrades and finally upgraded to 1 GB RAM as there were no more to find. I’m alright with games and all other operations here. No slowdown there but actually larger exe sort of files takes time. Gladly transient cache helping after full scan
Yes, I remember it well. When I use my xp which I’ve had since 2001, it’s all about RAM management and monitoring.
Since I have got another computer(LT) and installed Windows 8 it’s hard going back now to xp.
I just find Windows8 on this HP OS runs sooooooo smooth and like lightening ;D
8)
I’m still monitoring and cut down excess. Windows 8 is so smooth and efficient.