Hi I’m Ngoc, and I’ve been using avast faithfully for the last year or so without any major problems. But yesterday, avast found three viruses/threats, after which it recommended that I run a boot-time scan. I did so and set it to move everything into the chest. It seemed pretty normal, but after windows started up again, I noticed that the avast icon was missing from the task bar. I tried opening the user interface to view the virus chest, but it wouldn’t let me. I also tried using system restore to restore settings from last week, but that didn’t help either. I wasn’t able to uninstall it from the add or remove programs list either since this message kept appearing:
I’m currently running Windows 7 64-bit with avast version 6.0.1289 (the latest version I think), and Norton did come preinstalled as a trial, but I’ve never used it/activated it.
I’ve read about similar problems, but I’m not sure what I should do at this point, so any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!
I had the exact same description as above - this morning. Said it found 3 threats, recommended a boot time scan. After completion, cannot run any programs from desktop. Most services are not started, cannot even run Malwarebytes from safe mode. Programs and files seem like they are present on drive, but most will not run at all.
Does anyone know how to fix? Is a restore point from a few days ago an option?
Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can’t run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can’t run it, try booting in Safe Mode and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you’ve run it.
Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro. Or even upgrade your key from old versions.
Check and post the results. If, for any reason, you did not solve, try doing the step 3 in Safe Mode anyway.
I updated yesterday and did a scan. 3 things were found. I was able to move 2 of them to the “chest”. After this avast recommended a boot time scan. After this I cannot start internet explorer or avast from the desktop icon.
I have also tried both programs from the start menu, and they still will not open. I tried avast in safe mode also. Also tried going directly to the shortcut target location and double clicking the avastui.exe. Still nothing happens.
I was going to remove the program and reinstall but was not sure this was a good idea or not?
Any ideas on what is causing this and how to fix? I have seen posts addressing the issue with avast not running correctly but what about My other application not running now? Specifically Internet Explorer.
Thankyou for the reply Tech! I tried what you suggested, but unfortunately the utility didn’t load, even in safe mode. I think I’m having the same problem as matt1274, programs which are not pinned to my taskbar don’t load, even though the program files are still there.
Similar issues - even in safe mode, cannot run the applications that are downloaded.
When not in safe mode, I am able to run windows explorer, then by double clicking on Internet Explorer, it will run (it is very slow, does show as “Not responding” for about 30 seconds each time you open a new tab). That (and some utilities like Calculator or games) is about all I can get to run. Office will not start via any method (start menu, quick start, desktop icon).
Is it possible that the properties of the files were modified by the Avast boot-time scan and they need to be reset?
Also curious to know if doing a “restore” to a few days ago would fix this - that System Restore utility was able to start from the START menu - did not proceed with it, but wanted to get opinion on whether there is any benefit to trying.