I just bought avast! Internet Security yesterday, downloaded it, and tried to install it in 64-bit Windows 7 Professional.

First, I uninstalled Microsoft Security Essentials.
I then ran the .exe file and it asked me for the license file which I then provided. It seemed to install.

I then tried to run it and it put up a window with some options, one of which would be to scan. It said the program was not running, so I clicked to start it. Nothing seemed to happen. I could not make it do anything, so I closed the window. I tried again with similar results.

So I then tried to uninstall Avast and that did not work either.
I tried to run Firefox to get help, and it did not start, though it tried to.
So I shutdown Windows 7 and restarted it. When it got to my logging in, it asked for my password, but I could not type into that field. I gave up and tried to shut down Windows, but it would not shut down. So I powered the machine off and on and it complained as it came up that I shut it down incorrectly. I told it to try again and I still could not enter my password.

Fortunately, I do full backups, so I restored the whole thing and then it Windows 7 worked again, but that took almost an hour.

Any suggestions? If I just install it again, I would like it to work and not have to restore the whole thing again.

I suggest an installation from scratch:

  1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility and save it.
  2. Download the latest avast! version and save it.
  3. (Optional) If you want, save your avast! settings for later restoration (Settings > Maintenance > Back up).
  4. Uninstall avast! from Control Panel (if possible) and reboot.
  5. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1 in and follow the instructions. Reboot in Normal mode after that.
  6. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Register your free copy or add the license key for the paid versions. Boot.
  7. Check and post the results.

Please, be patient, boot when it’s said to boot…