Need help on The stub cannot run installer/updater executable (code 0x3)

Viruses and worms
1

I noticed Avast keeping asking me to restart PC to complete upgrade but it never ends after I restarted many times. I went ahead and tried to uninstall using normal Add/Remove Program, got error The stub cannot run installer/updater executable ‘C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\setup\Sfx\avast.setup’(code 0x3)

I went ahead and tried using Avastclear in safemode, still got the same error message.

My PC running win7 with avast free virus, no other antivirus software installed.

Someone please help me to uninstall the Avast, really appreciate.

2

What previous antivirus did you have prior to using Avast? Every laptop and computer comes with a trail antivirus software.
What is your Windows Operating System? Service Pack?

3

No other antivirus installed prior to Avast, system is win 7 ultimate original. Thanks!

4

Windows 7 comes with the av from MS.
It can’t be removed, but it can be disabled.
So yes, there is besides avast a other av on the system.

  • Remove all folders/files from avast manually
  • Remove all entries pointing to avast from the registry
  • Reboot
  • Run CCleaner and/or the Glary utilities to cleanup disk and registry
  • Reboot
  • Install the latest version of avast (2016)
5

Thanks for the help, this is what I did: Remove the Avast folder in safe mode, delete the avast registry entry, then used avast clear utility to remove the avast in safemode. Hope this can help others with similar problem

6

You’re welcome.
Good to hear it is solved.

as extra information…
avast is using multiple folders.

  • under program files
  • in the document & settings folder or user folder (depending on the used OS)

In case you need to remove the registry entries again one day… ;D
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/regscanner.html

  • Download/install the tool
  • Run the tool
  • Use avast as searchterm
  • When it is finished scanning, press ctrl+A to select all entries it has found
  • In the menu > File > Delete selected keys/values

Ofcourse it is smart to create a backup first.