New version of Avast turnes-off Windows Defender in W7 ?

Hello, i am using W7-prof with Avast Internet Security.

Until about a week ago i received te regullary updates for the (build in) Windows Defender W7
but now i see Windows Defender is switched-off in control pannel
( if i want to activate Defender a popup-box says: “this program is blocked by group policy” )

Wondering if this is set by avast latest version, otherwise there might be a problem elsewhere.
I know running Avast+Windows defender is not a good idea, but just want to what’s happened with Windefender.

Thans in advance for any reply.

Please (re)search before posting.
This has already been explained several times.

Windows 10 automatically disables Defender when a av is installed.
avast does it on Windows versions prior to Windows 10.

Thank you, Eddy !

In Windows 10, Defender is an on demand Antivirus Program and therefore needs to be turned off.
In Windows 7 and earlier, Defender is similar to Malwarebytes. Avast turns it off because it duplicates functions already performed by Avast.