I would so appreciate it if you would do that. I have Googled myself silly on this but I don’t understand so much I found. In Windows Seven forum I did find an actual registry key file that was included for someone. I downloaded it but didn’t use it. It is RunAsAdmin_add.reg
I’ll wait to hear from you.
I have done as you instructed. Right now I am running AIS 6.0.1367 in trial mode. I have done absolutely nothing within the program as yet. It made no difference. The option to scan with avast is there, but for the most part it’s dead and produces no results unless it is used via a folder. I will wait to hear from you before setting up my scan schedules, inserting license or anything.
essexboy: Since this process of uninstalling and reinstalling Avast did not work to remedy the “Scan with avast” problem, I am assuming that this and “Run as administrator” missing command are all a part of the same. I think a strong indicator of a registry problem is the fact that the “Scan with avast” command does show up, and it does work if I place files first inside a folder. I can scan the files through selecting a folder, but not by selecting the actual file.
If there is something wrong in the registry, can you help me fix these problems, or do you know a good place to go to get help.
I have used a Registry Cleaner, but it’s one I trust and have not had problems with. I guess there is always a first time.
There was also something I added to the context menu very recently and I recall downloading a little file that I had to click on and select to “merge” something. I just can’t remember what it was that I added. Whatever it was, it worked, but maybe it messed something else up???
I’ll leave you in the hands of essexboy now. Just a comment about the “.reg” files. Sometimes the content of a reg file is compatible for both Vista (your OS) and for Seven. Sometimes it is compatible with all editions of Vista. But this is not always the case. So, whatever you downloaded for Seven, you should be sure it is compatible and useful for your particular edition of Vista. Otherwise it may be more of a problem than a solution.
In any case, before applying reg files, I would suggest a backup your registry.
Will do. Thanks for your help! 
OK I have extracted the relevant reg entries from my windows 7 - can you confirm that is what you have
Open a notepad file and copy the following to the file, you must include
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\avast]
@=“{472083B0-C522-11CF-8763-00608CC02F24}”[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\avast]
@=“{472083B0-C522-11CF-8763-00608CC02F24}”
From the file menu select Save as…
In the file type select all files
Save as Avast.reg to your desktop
Right click the reg file and select Merge
Accept all warnings and then retry the right click
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[/b]
That is incorrect.
It should be:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
Before I go forth, you do notice that I have Vista Home Premium SP2???
Yep fixed now as the bb code went wrong somehow, I got bored of waiting for the preview to check it out
Yep will work for Vista
When I right click there is no “merge” on the context menu.
If I left click I get the window shown in screenshot, but I did not select “Yes” yet. Please advise.
It sounds as though the programme you used to change your context menu has messed it up as a reg file should automatically provide that option
Yes accept the changes
Yes, I can remember having been told in the past to right click on something and select “merge” and it was there.
Anyway, I’m showing 2 screenshots. Everything should have worked, but I still can’t right click on files the way I always have and scan them.
So it looks like my scan with avast is not very functional, I have no “merge” and I have no "run as administrator.
Keep in mind tho, I can right click and scan with Malwarebytes and it works.
What about that RunAs file I mentioned previously that I downloaded from a Windows Seven post?
I made a full registry back up on 11/16. I wonder if I could help matters by importing that. I’ve never imported a registry backup before. Is it as simple as it seems? Just open registry editor, File/Import, browse to where it is saved and go ahead?
It just dawned on me, tho, that if I would do something like that I will lose registry entries for programs I may have installed, or changes that may have been made, including the new Avast install I just did.
I don’t like it at all, but I guess I could live with having to scan with avast through a folder; and use the properties menu to “run as administrator.”
What programme did you use to change the right click menu ? If it was a good programme there should be a restore function to allow you to reset the system
I don’t think it was a program. It was just some little file I ran to make the change. I wish I could remember what I added but I just don’t.
I’ve been doing some more reading. I’m still wondering about that RunAs file I mentioned. But also I’m wondering if I can help matters any by that ShellMenuView. I have downloaded it from Cnet but have been busy with other things and haven’t opened it. It’s not a program that has to be installed. Just a file.
Just downloading to have a play
Sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean.
I guess I don’t understand enough to know what to do with these Shell programs.
I have just had a look at the programme on my system and it will not achieve what you wish to do. Do you have a restore point prior to the problem happening ?
No, another foolish thing I did and have now remedied. I reduced the amount of space for SR so it was only keeping a few restore points. In almost all cases I would say, for me, this is sufficient. But in this case I wish I could have gone way back, like I used to.
I don’t do a lot of intense work on my computer. I shop, pay bills, do email and even that is mostly newsletters and such that I get on various things, like health, etc.
I do belong to Shockwave Unlimited, but even that is mostly for when my grandson comes. I mostly play Hoyle cards.
Occasionally I scan pictures. I just wish I could again scan files with avast without first putting them into a folder — and I wish I had my “run as administrator” command back on my context menu.
Could you confirm that UAC is switched on