Okay, how the balls do I disable "Internet Security 2014"'s Shields?

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Shit, this is frustrating.

AVAST just updated itself to the so-called “2014”-version. Shortly thereafter, I had some trouble updating a couple of programs on my PC, with the well-founded suspicion that AVAST does it utmost to prevent it, as it usually does. >:(

My regular solution is just to go in and disable those damn “Shields”, only to find that in the GUI, there is no easily recognizable button with which to disable them, any more. Because we can’t have that, y’know.

So I’ve been looking through the God-damn GUI for ten straight minutes, now, trying to find some button that really should have been immediately visible to begin with. It’s especially infuriating to be greeted with the green, flashy text going “YOU ARE PROTECTED” with no immediate button nearby to make AVAST bloody stop “protecting” me.

Please help. I’m getting increasingly violent, here.

2

Normally there is a reason why avast is blocking things.
What programs are you trying to update and how/from where?

It is real easy to disable avast protection (temporarily).
Right click the avast icon near the clock > avast shields control

3

Settings-Active Protection and you can turn on/off shields.

4
Right click the avast icon near the clock > avast shields control

That was my first impulse, but nothing happens. If I right-click, (or left-click, or double-click, or any other click, for that matter.), there is no reaction.

Settings-Active Protection and you can turn on/off shields.

Where do I find the “Settings”-tab?

5

Settings tab is on the left hand side of the UI but if you cant disable via the avast ball as Eddy explained then you might be better to perform a repair of avast first as the ball route should work ( have you done the three reboots after the install of 2014 ? )

6
If I right-click, (or left-click, or double-click, or any other click, for that matter.), there is no reaction.
What os/service pack are you using?