Hi! I have avast free version 5. In previous versions (where, um, the icon was blue) there were various settings I could tweak that Would allow avast to use less of my RAM. However, since the update to version 5 (where the icon is orange) when I open windows task manager it always says there are processes “avastsvc.exe” and “avastUI.exe” which are using quite a lot of memory. Nothing I disable on Avast seems to be able to get rid of these processes and task manager won’t let me end them. This is ridiculous, I don’t want to uninstall avast but playing games has become impossible with the memory it is taking up.
Are you running 5.0.594? What is your OS and RAM?
Under the Avast 5.0 GUI Summary/Main page toward the bottom center, there is an orange symbol and next to it says:
“[b]Silent/Gaming Mode: OFF /b [button] TURN ON”
If playing games is your concern, have you considered turning the gaming button on while you are playing the games? Remember to turn it back off when you are done. This should help you while playing games.
You have to disable self-protection.
Settings>Troubleshooting>Uncheck “Enable avast! self-defense module.”
Then disable the avast! services by running services.msc.
Double click an avast! entry>Under “Service status” select Stop. To turn it back on select Start.
Be sure to turn the self-defense module back on after you turn the services back on. I think the Silent/Gaming Mode only changes the way messages are displayed. I don’t believe it actually turns any services on or off.
Why would you totally turn off your protection of an antivirus program? It defeats the purpose of what an AV program is supposed to do. It would make better sense to disable, at least temporarily while gaming, the Shields that the OP does not need or use.
Perhaps this thread might give you some insight re: gaming and shields: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=62429.0 from one of our Avast Team members.
Even if you disable some of the shields, the services are still running in the background using RAM, which is what the original poster was talking about.
Every time the subject of turning avast! off comes up, someone chimes in with the objection that protection will be lost. Of course you’ll loose protection but there are times when you might want or need to turn it off. I don’t think it does any good to tell people they shouldn’t turn it off cause they’ll find a way to do it anyway. It’s better to educate them in the right way to do it rather than have them screw everything up. ;D
Would you advise people who are here on an antivirus forum to turn off their antivirus protection? As I mentioned, there are other ways to do it without turning off your protection.
Perhaps an Avast Team member or dev. wishes to suggest something re: this issue.
The services, even when running including the shields running also, RAM use is really minimal.
So if RAM is such a critical issue that gaining even this small amount is important, then there is more needed that trying to completely disable avast, increase RAM, kill non-essential applications that are using much more RAM and retain protection.
Unfortunately the OP provided little information (qty. of RAM used by avast, what they are doing and the other questions asked), so far hasn’t responded in just over 3 days, so I guess we will have to wait until they do.
mr-internet. What are you system specifications and what OS are you running?
Most nowadays games need a good video card, system memory and cpu are less important nowadays.
There are a couple legitimate programs I’ve encountered that it does cause problems when installing. One is when installing Tools In VMware Workstation guest. A simple turn off would be handy when looking for a program conflict also.
Joe
@ Joe S,
.
Your issue is slightly different from the OP’s. Can you please start your own thread so that we can help you:
Go to this link, http://forum.avast.com/index.php, scroll down to the Avast Free/Pro/Suite forum and click it, click the New Topic button at the top of the list and post there.
Please include in your next post your Signature:
Go to PROFILE on the top of the main forum page > Modify Profile > Forum Profile Information > Signature. Enter information about your system like the Operating System (OS), RAM, browser, security software, what version of Avast and firewall you use, and any add-on’s or other items you wish to mention. See my signature or others as an example. The purpose of this is so that we can offer pertinent advice. Thank you.