I have Win XP SP3 x86 updated, 2 GB ram. Since the last avast’s update to version 5.1 (now I’m running 5.1.889), I keep noticing an instant slowdown when avast! is scanning a folder containing an exe file (most of the times an installer package). The window is blocked, the system tray is blocked, and I have to wait until the end of the scan. If the exe is large (I mean +100 MB), it can take up to 1 minute or so to complete the scan. And if I temporary disable the various shields, this issue doesn’t occur. Is this a known issue, or is it only related to me? And what could I do, please, to solve this problem?
Well, did you change the File Shield settings?
You can add the file to the Exclusion lists (on File Shield settings and on main settings). Oh, I suppose it’s a clean file.
Uh… I haven’t explained the issue well, sorry. That problem occurs with any exe file, not with one in particular. And the sensitivity of the scanner is set to “Normal”…
What scan exactly are we talking about? An on-demand scan you started manually from the GUI, or resident shields? I suppose the later…
In that case, it shouldn’t really scan “a folder” - so what triggers the scan? You entering the folder in some file manager? Which one - Explorer?
Yes, I browse normally through my folders, and when I open a folder with an executable inside (any folder) the resident shield start analysing (I notice the icon rounding), but suddenly it freezes for a while (and the folder too, I can’t move it nor select a file), until the avast icon ends his round and all is normal again.
If I temporary disable the protection shields this doesn’t happens, so it must be avast. What could it be?