The stub cannot run installer/updater executable (code 0x3)

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hello,

I’m having some problems updating Avast. I tried to do it from the program but it gets stuck and nothing happens. So I decided to uninstall and install the newest version but I got the following message:

“The stub cannot run installer/updater executable c:\program files\avast software\avast\setup\sfx\avast.setup (code 0x3)”

I also tried to use avastclear.exe (in safe mode) and same message was shown.

What can I do to solve the issue?

Thanks!

2

What avast version are you trying to install ?

Personally I would go for the full off-line installation file rather than the stub, on-line installer.

Download location for full off-line installation files:
Free AV: - http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
Pro AV: - http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
AIS: - http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
Premier: - http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup.exe

3

Thanks.

I have downloaded the full installation file (free version) and the same message is shown.

The installed version on my laptop is 8.0.1501

4

You need to do a clean install.

The latest version is 10.0.2214

You need to perform a clean install:

Note: It’s important you used the stub online installer from the one I linked… NOT the offline one.

Note: You need to be ONLINE during this install (online installer works in all cases whereas offline sometimes doesn’t)

1.Download your version of avast! and the avastclear tool:

Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Pro Antivirus
Avast Internet Security
Avast Premier

Download Avast Clear Tool

  1. Uninstall Avast by control panel [If you don’t have Avast in control Panel go to #3]
  2. Uninstall in safe mode using Avastclear. [Running Avastclear is normal mode will give a prompt to go into Safe Mode]
    Check : Once uninstalled check in device manager>view>show hidden devices if there is anything related to avast with a yellow triangle… if so, uninstall it and reboot.
  3. Install the version you downloaded.
  4. Reboot.

Free: If you have the Free version, register the product for free for a year from the avast! UI.
Paid: If you have a paid license, insert the license key/activation code after the reboot at stage 6.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. It’s better to ask than make a mistake and start over again with the process.

5

Thanks again.

I have followed every step and everything still the same.
First of all, I tried to uninstall Avast by control panel but after waiting a while nothing happened. So I have went into safe mode, run Avastclear and, as I said, same error is there.

6

Hi lets see if I can reset it for you manually

You must disable Avast’s self protection

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your Desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system. If you are not sure which version applies to your system download both of them and try to run them. Only one of them will run on your system, that will be the right version.

[*]Right click to run as administrator (XP users click run after receipt of Windows Security Warning - Open File). When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
[*]Select additions at the bottom
[*]Press Scan button.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/frst.JPG

[*]It will produce a log called FRST.txt in the same directory the tool is run from.
[*]Please attach both logs generated.

7

Hi,
log files are attached.

8

OK the problem is McAfee, it is still installed and running

Download to your desktop the McAfee removal tool

If you have not alleady done so then download to your desktop the correct version of Avast and the uninstall utility

Download Avast Uninstall Utility to your Desktop.
Download the correct version of Avast
Avast Free
Avast Pro
Avast Internet Security
Avast Premier

Run the McAfee removal tool and reboot on completion
Open the Avast GUI and go to settings > troubleshooting > disable self protection
Then run the fix below

CAUTION : This fix is only valid for this specific machine, using it on another may break your computer

Open notepad and copy/paste the text in the quotebox below into it:

CreateRestorePoint: HKLM-x32\...\Run: [avast] => C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe [4858968 2013-08-30] (AVAST Software) BHO: avast! Online Security -> {318A227B-5E9F-45bd-8999-7F8F10CA4CF5} -> C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE64.dll [2013-08-30] (AVAST Software) BHO-x32: avast! Online Security -> {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} -> C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll [2013-08-30] (AVAST Software) Toolbar: HKLM - avast! Online Security - {318A227B-5E9F-45bd-8999-7F8F10CA4CF5} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE64.dll [2013-08-30] (AVAST Software) Toolbar: HKLM-x32 - avast! Online Security - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll [2013-08-30] (AVAST Software) FF Extension: avast! Online Security - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\WebRep\FF [2013-09-07] R2 avast! Antivirus; C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe [46808 2013-08-30] (AVAST Software) R2 aswFsBlk; C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\aswFsBlk.sys [33400 2013-10-31] (AVAST Software) R1 aswKbd; C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\aswKbd.sys [22600 2013-08-30] (AVAST Software) R2 aswMonFlt; C:\Windows\system32\drivers\aswMonFlt.sys [80816 2013-10-31] (AVAST Software) R1 aswRdr; C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\aswrdr2.sys [72016 2013-10-31] (AVAST Software) R0 aswRvrt; C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\aswRvrt.sys [65336 2013-10-31] () R1 aswSnx; C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\aswSnx.sys [1030952 2013-10-31] (AVAST Software) R1 aswSP; C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\aswSP.sys [378944 2013-10-31] (AVAST Software) R1 aswTdi; C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\aswTdi.sys [64288 2013-10-31] (AVAST Software) R0 aswVmm; C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\aswVmm.sys [189936 2013-10-31] () S3 PSKMAD; C:\Windows\System32\DRIVERS\PSKMAD.sys [47632 2013-04-29] (Panda Security, S.L.) Task: {8FFD517C-33F3-47F7-8231-EF389F6B3132} - System32\Tasks\avast! Emergency Update => C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastEmUpdate.exe [2013-08-30] (AVAST Software) HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\mcpltsvc => ""="" HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\mcpltsvc => ""="" HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\mfefire => ""="Driver" HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\mfefirek => ""="Driver" HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\mfefirek.sys => ""="Driver" HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\mfehidk => ""="Driver" HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\mfehidk.sys => ""="Driver" HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network\mfevtp => ""="Driver" C:\Program Files\AVAST Software Reg: reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\IPSec\Policy\Local /f Reg: reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\IPSec\Policy\Local /f CMD: netsh advfirewall reset CMD: netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state ON CMD: ipconfig /flushdns CMD: netsh winsock reset catalog CMD: netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt CMD: ipconfig /release CMD: ipconfig /renew CMD: netsh int ipv4 reset CMD: netsh int ipv6 reset RemoveProxy: EmptyTemp: CMD: bitsadmin /reset /allusers

Save this as fixlist.txt, in the same location as FRST.exe

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/FRSTfix.JPG

Run FRST and press Fix
On completion a log will be generated please post that

On completion of this now run the Avast uninstall utility accepting the boot to safe mode
When it reboots to normal mode then try and install Avast

9

Thank you very much!!!
It worked and finally I have the last version of Avast installed.

I had many problems until I got to uninstall McAfee (it was preinstalled on my laptop) and it seems that not only I didn’t do it properly but also almost kill Avast…
Anyway, now McAfee is gone for good and Avast is working so once again, thanks!!!

(Log file is attached)

10

Could you run one more FRST scan please so that I can ensure McAfee is well and truly dead :slight_smile:

11

Yes, of course!
There you have :slight_smile:

12

All gone… Enjoy :slight_smile:

Download and run Delfix
Select the options as shown

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73555776/delfix.JPG

13

hello,
Could you please write me fixlist for me too. I cannot install the Avast. I had before Kaspersky. I deleted it but still the same error.
Thank you.

14

Please start your own topic and attach the requested logs. :slight_smile:

15

Yo lo solucioné descargando los instaladores desde un navegador diferente a Internet Explorer. Use Mozilla Firefox y listo. 8) :o

16

English please or find your language here,
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=21.0

17

Also very old topic: 07June2015!