Whenever I do a scan with Avast 4.8 Home Edition I get a message at the end saying “unable to scan” and a list of superantispyware files which say password protected. I have the free version of superantispyware installed on my Windows XP computer. What can I do to allow Avast to scan these superantispyware files?
avast can’t scan files that are password protected, it doesn’t know the password.
There are many legitimate reasons why a file was password protected. For instance, the ones you’re talking about. Superantispyware stores its data in a password-protected ZIP archives (to prevent other similar tools from messing up with them). It’s really nothing to worry about - it’s normal.
After a reasonable time your system has suffered no adverse effects, you can get rid of the older recovery/backup points.
This should reduce the number of protected files.
I have the paid option of SAS and I don’t get any files that can’t be scanned by avast.
Do you have any items in the SAS quarantine ?
What are some of the file names and locations that can’t be scanned ?
Yes I too had that problem…open SAS…click manage quarantine…delete entries…in my case they were all just cookies anyway…VOILA…problem gone 
Liz
Yes it is just SAS protecting the quarantine area, as it should.
Hi Liz
I checked in quarantine and they were all cookies so I deleted them and did another scan and there was no list of files “unable to scan” so I think that has solved my problem. Thanks for your help.
Simon
You’re welcome 
happy to help… glad to hear you got it all sorted out
Liz