Latest Avast update has messed up Windows Installer (win 7 64 bit)

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hey, hoping someone can help, long time user first time issue. I’ve got no viruses, even did scan from a ubuntu live cd. When Avast got me to do the latest update, during reboot windows appeared stuck on one of the shutdown screens. So I had to do a hard power down. Since then, I can no longer uninstall / reinstall any programs, windows updates get stuck, and every shutdown freezes on a shutdown screen, often on “configuring windows updates”. Appears something is corrupted with the windows installer.

Any suggestions? I really don’t want to have to do a fresh install of Windows 7, and even my free update of Windows 10 crashes now if I try to run it.

Thanks, Sam

2

Forgot to mention that scannow /sfc cannot run now as well

3

Run a in-place reepair of Windows.

4

I had a similar problem caused by Avast 2225 last October. Several programs ceased to work and my non-Administration limited user account was corrupted. It was a pain for about 2 months until I came across the Windows Repair all-in-one from Tweaking.com:

http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/windows_repair_all_in_one.html

It’s a free program. It doesn’t have spyware or other rubbish and it isn’t hard to remove, (should you want to remove it).

I had to install it in safe mode and you might have to do the same. If you can install it make sure you follow the back-up and power downinstructions before you attempt to repair Windows. It took about 40 minutes to correct all the errors on my old pc but it did a really nice job. Good luck.

5

Yep nice bit of kit

Download Windows All In One Repair from Tweaking.com to your desktop
Install the programme

Reboot to safe mode with networking
Run Windows All In One
Select Step 2
Select open Pre-repairs scan then click scan
Let that complete
Save the results to a text file on your desktop

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/waioprescan.JPG

Next select Step 5 and back up the registry

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/waioregback.JPG

Open the Repairs tab

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/waioopenrep.JPG

Select the following repair numbers :

21

Set the system to reboot on completion
The press Start Repairs

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/waiorepair.JPG

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Thanks all I should have a chance in a few days to try a repair job, will let you know

7

Thanks again everyone, just wanted to let you know my laptop seems mostly working again. The tweaking.com tool helped I think, though also ran it a second time with some of the other options such as 17 repair windows update selected. I also ran the MS fixit tool

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058/en-us

Which didn’t entirely fix it lol but I think might have helped, and tired to google any errors that popped up along the way. Anyway not sure if we are back to 100% functionality - seem to have to delete my MS Outlook 2016 data files on each reboot (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2016-outlook/outlook-2016-stuck-on-init-screen-processing/88655789-663f-438e-8928-161c5137a4b6/) however I can do my work so fantastic thanks again for the advice, and I was able to avoid a repair in place or fresh install of windows and the potential havoc / software re-installs that may have entailed.

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With a in-place-repair there would have been no need to reinstall applications and dat would have been preserved.

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Thanks Eddy was apprehensive doing the full repair in place, in case any mishaps in the process, but if any additional problems that is my next step.

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In W7 the in-place upgrade (ie. repair function) does not effect data or programs.
Unlike W10 that you will need to re-install all non-MS store programs in W7 as long as you can boot into Windows you can perform this…I’ve done before and no problem.
Here is good link on how to perform…shows prep & cleanup tips too: http://www.pcworld.com/article/243190/how_to_repair_a_corrupt_windows_7_installation.html
Always backup your data and even image your drive as precaution before proceeding…just good practice.
Also, if you don’t have a W7 O/S disk you can no longer get thru Digital River but can thru MS with valid key: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7