New version 25.9

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hello,

Please welcome the version 25.9 of Avast AV released on September 16th 2025

Major public announcement:

  • New Firewall support for Thunderbolt networks.
    Firewall now supports ultra-fast Thunderbolt (USB-C) connections for secure networking.

  • Enhanced WebShield for encrypted browsing
    WebShield now provides stronger scanning on websites that use the latest privacy and encryption technologies.

  • :hammer::beetle:fixes to increase product stability and product performance in various components

How to install:

  • Update from your existing Avast version via Settings → Update → Update program

  • Or you can download and install files:

Online installers (recommended):

Offline installers:

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Any news on the issue with renewing the registration on Avast Antivirus Free that is plaguing the Community Forum recently ?

It really would be great if more details were given about the product stability and fixes ?

I have been hanging back because of issues found in 5.6.xxxx, 25.7.xxxx and reporting in the Community Forum for me 25.5.xxxx is stable and have no desire to change that stability.

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As there has been little response by Avast staff on this issue, I am beginning to think the problem of annual renewing registration of Avast Free AV may be intentional, so that users of Free may no longer enjoy the free product for more than 1 year.
Maybe Avast staff can prove me wrong on this.

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4

Updated, thanks.

auto update still not working but no biggy as i check daily anyway.

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Hi @rocksteady and @DavidR , I’m sorry for the lack of updates on this topic. As of today, we are still trying to fix this issue. It turned out to be more challenging than anticipated due to ongoing changes in our licensing systems.

This is certainly not an intentional experience. Users should be able to extend their free license just fine (in fact, that part is already fixed, but the messaging is still a challenge).

We apologize for the delay in solving the free license registrations. We will keep you posted.

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Hopefully before February 2026 when my registration needs to be updated :smiley:

There are a lot who are hoping that it’s sooner rather than later as many are looking at other options.
As a former system analyst programmer (COBOL and Oracle Forms 3-4GL), I would have hoped this would have been picked up in Alpha testing.

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Thanks for the new release :slight_smile:

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I downloaded the Free version offline installer ( “https://bits.avcdn.net/productfamily_ANTIVIRUS/insttype_FREE/platform_WIN/installertype_FULL/build_RELEASE” ), and the one from the “Avast Offline Installation Files | Avast page. The COMP command says the two files are not the same length, which bothers me. It would be better if the two files matched. LIke DavidR I’m also still back on 5.5 not comfortable the later releases.

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Would you say there’s anything we users can do at this moment to solve or tackle the issue? I am currently still facing it and nothing i tried worked, even including community suggestions on your forum. Being unable to contact support directly about it doesn’t help me much either, so if you had any updates i’d be delighted to hear about them

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GUI bug reported:

https://community.avast.com/t/25-9-bug-report-setting-ransomware-shiled-file-types-manually-file-types-display-missing-after-25-4-or-25-5/894847/

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Hi all, a new fix for the free license activation has been released. It is a backend fix, meaning you don’t need to update the app to apply it.

If you still see the notification suggesting that you activate your free license, you should be able to finish the activation flow.

If you cannot finish the activation flow, please restart your computer and recheck the status.

We apologize for the delay in solving this problem and for any inconvenience it might have caused.

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Hey so what about the Google/Chrome/Youtube/Gmail/whatever issue? Is that still a problem?

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A link might have been helpful as you give no information on what that problem was.

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I think Dinobot2 is referring to this topic: Anyone noticed Chrome slowdown/lag sice Avast 25.5? - #18 by Dinobot2

I now replied in that separate thread.

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As I have mentioned in another thread, in this version the ability to shred items in the Recycle Bin is gone as the option does not occur in the context menu. (I hear that this has been fixed in a newer beta version.)

Also, in the next update, could you please make the Data Shredder available in the context menu of items in File Explorer? Right now only the “Scan selection items for viruses” in in the context menu on right clicking an icon or set of icons. Being able to shred an item, or items, selected in a folder is the most natural action and it would be nice to have it.

I have also found (and posted) that when items in the Recycle Bin are shredded using Avast, quite a bit of information seems to be left behind. I run Ccleaner before I shut down and while it clears out the Recycle Bin, it lists some of the files that have been previously shredded by Avast. This is a security bug and needs to be fixed.

Thanks.

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I found Avast icon on desktop yesterday, after BSOD and slow internet. Evidence of an unexpected update, whether emergency update or streaming update.
I was correct. About shows different 25.9 build and different UI version.

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