I am using the free version of Avast and am unable to remember my password to enter the Protected Area of my account.
How can I retrieve it?
Uninstall / reinstall >> https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB10#artTitle
Thank you for your reply and instructions. I downloaded the Avast Uninstall Utility (non-SSE2) and when I clicked to run it I got a warning message that said “The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?”.
The file Name was: avastclear 10r4.exe and the Publisher said: Unknown
Is this still safe to run?
If you got it from the avast website, it is safe.
Allow it to run.
Thank you for your reply. I will try that now.
I just tried that and got a message that said: “The installer cannot open the SFX archive (code 0x3ee). It’s probably caused by corrupted Avast installer thus please try to download the installer again”.
I did it again and still get the same message. What do I do now?
Is that when you try to run avastclear ?
avastclear 10r4.exe isn’t the correct file. It should be avastclear.exe
Download it from:
https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
avastclear10r4.exe is the non SSE-2 version.
sorry but I’ve not used outdated an old OS for some time.
Thank you both for your replies.
How can I tell if I have SSE2 support? After reading this information I just presumed I wouldn’t have it as my computer is 10 years old and still using Windows XP SP3: For computers based on old processors without SSE2 support, download this file:
Avast Uninstall Utility (non-SSE2)
Should I use the avastclear.exe file instead?
Can anyone answer my above question regarding which avastclear file I should use?
Just run the one you downloaded.
If it is the SSE-2 version and your system doesn’t support it, it will tell you.
Thanks again Eddy, I really appreciate your help.
Okay, I downloaded the avastclear.exe file but could not run the uninstaller as it said I needed to have Administrator privileges. I have always been the only one to use this computer and was set up as the Administrator. I checked under User Accounts and I am STILL showing as the Administrator so why would this happen?
This is getting so frustrating - why does Avast have to make everything so difficult??? It would be really simple to just include an uninstaller with their software. Or else make it capable to for people to uninstall it using Add/Remove.
avast isn’t making it difficult.
It is like with cars.
Who is it so hard to drive a car with flat tires and with the breaks on ?
The tires should not be flat and the breaks should be off.
The car manufacturer build a working car but things can break down 
Run Farbar and attach FRST.txt to your next post.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/
Since I am not experienced with advanced issues I did a google search and found a couple of articles that said the same thing …
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Security-Related/Farbar-Recovery-Scan-Tool.shtml
To begin with, it should be noted that the program is mainly intended for more advanced individuals, as it requires a thorough understanding and usage of command line arguments [.....]To sum it up, Farbar Recovery Scan Tool is a practical and efficient utility whose main purpose resides in helping you locate and remove malware problems from your PC, in normal or safe mode. However, novices may have trouble getting the hang of it from the very start, so it might be advisable that you only use it if you have experience with similar software.
Therefore, I would not be comfortable using that scan tool. I have been really happy with Avast up until now. It has now expired but I still can not uninstall it. Do you know if I can download another AV program with the expired Avast still on my system?
You can only run one resident AV. You’ll need to totally remove what you currently have before you can install a replacement.
The easiest thing to do is to do a clean install of Avast:
Repair Avast:
Control Panel> Program and Features (Add/remove program)>Select Avast> Select Repair. Reboot when completed
https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB204
If Repair doesn’t fix the problem, try the following:
Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
Thank you for your reply, Bob.
Doesn’t the Repair option just reset things to original and fix anything that may have become corrupted?
Also, as I stated above since my Avast protection has now expired so would it even do anything at all?
ETA: I have tried to uninstall/reinstall but am unable to as for some reason I do not have Administrator authority even though I was set up as Administrator and the only user on this computer and I am still showing as such under User Accounts. Someone told me that they thought Microsoft changed something when they stopped supporting Windows XP SP3.
Run Farbar and attach the log to your next post.
Did you read my Reply from yesterday?