After Latest Pro Update - AutoCad 2008 Open Icon, File_Open dropdown, and File_Save As dropdown all freeze Autocad. Uninstalled Avast and these functions have returned to normal. Runnig without antivirus until fix is out.
I’m Also Having this Problem.
Sorry or Posting here - But I tried sending a message and I think it was deleted.
I had to uninstall avast -
I also had to repair AutoCAD from the add-remove Programs in the Control Panel.
and now AutoCAD 2007 is working Again !
I have another computer running AutoCAD 2013 and have the same Issue !
I cannot access the FILE pull down menu in AutoCAD - AutoCAD Freezes - all work is lost !!
I’m running Windows XP SP 2 on both laptops .
Something similar happened before !
Is this of any help:
https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB268#idt_500
If that’s your problem, contact Avast support via:
http://support.avast.com/support/home
or
http://support.avast.com/support/tickets/new
Request a refund: https://support.avast.com/support/tickets/new?form=11
The problem is that Peter is running XP SP2.
avast doesn’t even work on it.
There are 2 users in this thread. 
That’s the reason I rolled back to the previous version. As I had the same issue with AutoCAD Mechanical 2010 64bit, too.
If one wants to play around that support tool and ticket, fine, but one has to have the uptodate Avast version installed, so there is one thing one can do with AutoCAD and the current Avast version:
In AutoCAD go to options and the tab where you choose default directories for templates. Clicking “browse” once there makes the open and save dialog work again (until AutoCAD is restarted) [don’t browse for the template file but only for the template directory else it will still freeze]. Avast seems to have messed around with the explorer in some way.
Thanks Eddy -
Your about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike ! -
If you can add anything constructive, to solve the problem - keep your mouth Shut !
Where did you hear that Avast doesn’t work on XP ??
Anyway I solved the Problem - I uninstalled AVAST -
Its a simple as that !!
Maybe when Avast get there finger out - I might re load it
In the mean time I will be looking to get reimbursed.
Where did you hear that Avast doesn't work on XP ??https://www.avast.com/en-eu/windows Scroll down to >> Compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, [b]XP SP3[/b]
also see avast FAQ >> https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB44#idt_100
I'm running Windows [b]XP SP 2[/b] on both laptops .
Peter,
it is very clearly mentioned on the avast website as well as in many posts (several from avast members).
The minimum for avast is XP + SP3 installed + CPU that supports the SSE2 instruction set.
And even with SP3 installed certain things are not working like SSL scanning as XP doesn’t support anything newer than SHA1.
Ok Eddie … fair enough - I made a mistake !! ( Oh… fancy that !) I actually have SP 3 - ! typo ! OK
But that still doesn’t explain why Avast and AutoCAD were both working OK Yesterday !
Can Mugenix please explain a little bit better their solution - I might have a go at it !
Thanks All for the help so far .
Peter
Peter, please take a look at the attachment, I hope it helps.
You have to go into AutoCAD options (either right click on blank space in a [new] file or via command “_options”), then it should be the first tab (files [hopefully, I don’t work with the english version]).
I think you could browse through the tree and mark any directory path and click “browse” on the right side so that you get a dialog that opens a tree view (not the windows explorer dialog for files, but only for directories).
Or you can follow the exact way I highlighted in the picture (though it’s originally in german language).
However if you browse a file dialog before the directory dialog (like browsing for the new file template instead of browsing the template directory) AutoCAD will freeze.
One thing is interesting and maybe a useful information for Avast:
On my home PC I have AutoCAD 2015 64bit - Windows 7 x64 Home Premium and there this issue does not appear.
(For reference [as written in the other thread]: At work [where I have this issue] is AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2010 64 bit. As it’s a complete suite Inventor 2010 is running, too but that does not get affected.)
Thank you …Mugenix… for taking the Time to help me .
I will try in Now …
…
.
BINGO !!
THANKS …
Look like your solution Worked …
Thank Again …
OK. Is Avast working on a fix for this problem?
Hello. I have same problem. (Win XP SP3, autocad 2008 x32). I updated version of Avast, it installed some win fixes, updated net (probably), and i have same problem with browse window in autocad. Till i found solution here, had to reainstall all net frameworks, resetted profile in autocad… I Lost half of day. Fix please this issue.a
Does it work when the behavior shield is off ?
It doesnt work, when i turn off all components.
Second update of new version didnt fix problem with autocad browser window in windows xp, to save work time will change antivirus.
Yes. I have the same problem. I disabled Avast services and self-protect mode. No change–AutoCAD still locked-up.
Only after I completely uninstalled Avast did AutoCAD return to normal operation.
I installed the free version of the AVG anti-virus, and AutoCAD worked normally.
Unless Avast fixes this problem soon, I’m switching to AVG.
Problem due to Avast Shell Extension
Reg file for disable it:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked]
"{472083B0-C522-11CF-8763-00608CC02F24}"=""
I have the same problem with AutoCAD 2011 hanging after updating Avast Online Security plus I do not have a registry line as described by @sergey.bashmanov. Unistalling Avast has been the only fix so far and that’s after restoring/repairing and reinstalling all programs on my computer… Any real remedies or a correction from Avast would be greatly appreciated…??
This reg file block Avast Shell Extension for using as shell extension in explorer.
This line should not be in your registry, you must create it.