This is a reply to all of the above.

I originally used v7. This is where the problem started. I have tried to use v8 but it does not fix the problem. In fact, with v8 installed my email program still cannot receive mail - I have to reinstallv7 to get it.

Yes, I have used the uninstall utility, as I mentioned in my original post.

Yes, I am aware of the ports and the SSL settings thing - I have permutated all combinations.

I am using emClient for my mail client.

When I uninstall Avast v7, I do a search of the registry and there are still several entries left behind, 4 of which I am unable, as Administrator, to delete because it has its permissions locked.

As far as my trading program goes, I did not say it blocks it - I said it destroys it. It literally removes components and I have to reinstall it but I cannot recover my charts that now have parts missing.

I appreciate that things can be nominated to Avast to tell it to leave it alone but you only find out which ones they are by having them destroyed. I am not a novice to computers - I have been using them for over 35 years and I have been using the Internet for over 20 years.

I am not interested in programs that cause this much trouble and do not uninstall properly. I just want out.

Can anyone tell me how to remove registry entries where the permission has been blocked?

This is a nasty program although I am sure that is not intentional. I dumped Norton many years ago for the same reason. These programs try too hard and end up making the computer unusable.

Just let me out.

cheers
Michael