windows 10+Avast = unpleasant user experience

lukor · 2015-11-01T19:39:17.000Z

Hello Guys,
we are monitoring this issue (“Cortana or start menu not working”) and are talking with Microsoft about this. Currently we all believe it is a problem (or several issues) in Windows and Microsoft is trying to fix this.

One of the attempts to fix this can be in the following update: KB3105210
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3105210

The list of changes mentions start menu and cortana reliability fixes.

Another attempt to fix this can be expected from the upcoming TH2 release of Windows 10. Please try the latest build from the Windows 10 Insider Program. If anyone is experiencing the same issue with the latest Insider build, please let us know (e.g. post here or write to me directly). We would like to escalate the issue again, if it is not fixed in TH2 Windows 10 Release.

Thanks a lot.

What we’ve also seen is that a restart or a few restarts resolves the issue with startmenu not opening. (restarting is also part of the Avast uninstallation, but you can restart without uninstalling as well).

Lukas.

system · 2015-11-02T11:07:29.000Z

bob3160 post:18:

How did you remove Avast ???

No, reboot into safe mode when uninstaling isn’t the only thing that makes PCs without Avast to run without issues. Tested. Maybe it’s Microsoft’s fault, but some AVs like Avira free seems to be able to “fix” it…

Dijenga · 2015-11-22T16:28:23.000Z

bob3160 post:10:

You didn’t speak to Avast but to a “tech” at a third party support group that didn’t know anything except what’s written in his cheat book.

So, are you telling me that they were lying when they said there isn’t a problem, or was Avast lying when they gave me a number to call their tech support?

Regardless, I’ve been lied to. Continuing to use this defective product violates two very important principles:

[ol]- Never Lie To Someone Who Trusts You.

Never Trust Someone Who Has Lied To You.[/ol]

bob3160 post:10:

The problem happens on computers that have never had Avast installed on their systems. It’s a Windows 10 Problem.

I was an early adopter of windows 8. First thing I did was install Avast. Never a hiccup. In fact, I’ve run it on Windows 7, Vi$ta, XP, 2000 and an old windows 98 computer without problems. Avast was installed on this computer BEFORE I did the Windows 10 upgrade. Never before had a problem.

bob3160 post:10:

I’ve not had the problem again in the current Preview Builds. (I’m currently using 10576)

Good for you. However, it does not address the lies of Avast or the lack of a solution.

bob3160 post:10:

Using the Avast removal tool (aswclear) reboots your system into Safe Mode (with networking) and therefore utilizes the recommended Microsoft
fix for the Start Menu and Cortana problem.

That is, at best, a temporary fix. I have done it multiple times … occasionally twice in the same day. I tried a reinstall of Avast, and this morning was unable to even access the start menu by right clicking. Had to use the control panel shortcut I put on my desktop. It is sub par performance.

bob3160 post:10:

No one lied to you.

YES THEY HAVE AS YOU ARE NOW! BY YOUR ACCUSING ME OF LYING - YOU ARE CONTINUING THEIR LIE.

pcguy · 2015-12-01T19:40:49.000Z

lukor post:22:

Another attempt to fix this can be expected from the upcoming TH2 release of Windows 10. Please try the latest build from the Windows 10 Insider Program. If anyone is experiencing the same issue with the latest Insider build, please let us know (e.g. post here or write to me directly). We would like to escalate the issue again, if it is not fixed in TH2 Windows 10 Release.

Thanks a lot.

What we’ve also seen is that a restart or a few restarts resolves the issue with startmenu not opening. (restarting is also part of the Avast uninstallation, but you can restart without uninstalling as well).

Lukas.

Well according to this thread

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1278123-windows-10-critical-error-start-menu-and-cortana-aren-t-working and the post from Dec 1st by garyleung that even a clean install of 1511 did not fix the issue.

bob3160 · 2015-12-01T21:38:33.000Z

pcguy post:25:

lukor post:22:

Another attempt to fix this can be expected from the upcoming TH2 release of Windows 10. Please try the latest build from the Windows 10 Insider Program. If anyone is experiencing the same issue with the latest Insider build, please let us know (e.g. post here or write to me directly). We would like to escalate the issue again, if it is not fixed in TH2 Windows 10 Release.

Thanks a lot.

What we’ve also seen is that a restart or a few restarts resolves the issue with startmenu not opening. (restarting is also part of the Avast uninstallation, but you can restart without uninstalling as well).

Lukas.

Well according to this thread

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1278123-windows-10-critical-error-start-menu-and-cortana-aren-t-working and the post from Dec 1st by garyleung that even a clean install of 1511 did not fix the issue.

You mean according to one post within that thread… I’ve never had it happen since installing or updating to version 1576

@Dijeng,
I never called you a liar. I simply stated facts.

pcguy · 2015-12-01T21:45:22.000Z

The thing is this particular problem one can not be 100% positive its been fixed. I have seen several posts saying that they thought they have fixed the issue only to have it show up weeks later. TH2 has been out for 2 weeks now so its hard to say whether infact it has been fixed.

The computer here is someone else’s had an issue with the start menu disappearing aka not showing up when clicking on Start button, none of the fixes 10 days ago worked. I wound up creating a new account via command line and that worked for about a week and now this Cortana issue has reared its head. I am leaning to doing a clean install of Windows 8.1 on it and making sure that Windows10 upgrade does not happen again on it.

bob3160 · 2015-12-01T21:56:49.000Z

pcguy post:27:

The thing is this particular problem one can not be 100% positive its been fixed. I have seen several posts saying that they thought they have fixed the issue only to have it show up weeks later. TH2 has been out for 2 weeks now so its hard to say whether infact it has been fixed.

The computer here is someone else’s had an issue with the start menu disappearing aka not showing up when clicking on Start button, none of the fixes 10 days ago worked. I wound up creating a new account via command line and that worked for about a week and now this Cortana issue has reared its head. I am leaning to doing a clean install of Windows 8.1 on it and making sure that Windows10 upgrade does not happen again on it.

See my reply in your other topic:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=174748.msg1272648#msg1272648

system · 2015-12-29T18:02:05.000Z

Adding a new experience to this topic.

Using an HP laptop, nearly no custom software, Win7 + Avast was working fine. Upgraded to Windows10 and start menu and every win10 app would not open. I tried the restart to safe mode, verify files with sfc and powershell methods, nothing fixed it permanently (it would work for a day and stop again). Uninstalling Avast fixed it for good. Re-installing Avast the problem came back. So, sorry, but this anti-virus is getting removed permanently.

system · 2016-01-22T17:16:01.000Z

lukor post:22:

Hello Guys,
we are monitoring this issue (“Cortana or start menu not working”) and are talking with Microsoft about this. Currently we all believe it is a problem (or several issues) in Windows and Microsoft is trying to fix this.

One of the attempts to fix this can be in the following update: KB3105210
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3105210

The list of changes mentions start menu and cortana reliability fixes.

Another attempt to fix this can be expected from the upcoming TH2 release of Windows 10. Please try the latest build from the Windows 10 Insider Program. If anyone is experiencing the same issue with the latest Insider build, please let us know (e.g. post here or write to me directly). We would like to escalate the issue again, if it is not fixed in TH2 Windows 10 Release.

Thanks a lot.

What we’ve also seen is that a restart or a few restarts resolves the issue with startmenu not opening. (restarting is also part of the Avast uninstallation, but you can restart without uninstalling as well).

Lukas.

So I have the latest version of Windows 10 (1115), and I have the updated version of Avast, and I am still having problems with my start menu and cortana not working. I just paid for Avast Pro, and I’m not impressed at all, that this isn’t fixed by now (both Microsoft and Avast). I’m running a fix to reinstall my Windows apps, and I’m hoping that works, but I’m still seeing a ton of people posting about this. I haven’t tried booting into Safe mode yet (waiting for this other thing to finish first). Just wanted to let you know, that this isn’t fixed with the latest upgrades.

Thank you!

DavidR · 2016-01-22T19:02:02.000Z

And there is no doubt a ton of people posting about this that don’t have avast installed as has been mentioned in other topics.

I would certainly have tried the boot into safe mode first, given that would be less hassle than reinstall of windows apps.

schmidthouse · 2016-01-22T19:08:05.000Z

I also read a post I believe by Bob that said booting into Safemode “with Networking”. Not sure what difference if any that would make. :-\

system · 2016-01-22T19:53:26.000Z

From my experience, this “safe mode trick” helps for about 1 day, it depends on how often you reboot/shutdown/hibernate your pc.

Patrick2 · 2016-01-22T20:56:56.000Z

If it Matters I upgraded to Windows 10 from 8.1 on my Old PC, and my Newer one, and didn’t experience any problems with it, though I let Windows Defender run during upgrade install, then did a clean install following the upgrade, did all the WIndows 10 updates, then configured Avast Free again, no issues with Start menu, Cortana at all, been running this System almost a month now, Sleep and Restarted off and on.

refreshed my old system and gave it to Mom, again no issues experienced with Windows 10 or Avast once I got Avast installed

My Theory is could be a conflict with someones start up item, a setting, or something

bob3160 · 2016-01-22T21:08:25.000Z

schmidthouse post:32:

I also read a post I believe by Bob that said booting into Safemode “with Networking”. Not sure what difference if any that would make. :-\

Those instruction come directly from the Windows 10 support site.
On the computers that I’ve had to use this on, have never had the problem again.
It is certainly more than a one day fix.

system · 2016-01-22T22:25:10.000Z

Certainly NOT for all…

bob3160 · 2016-01-22T22:30:51.000Z

malone.m post:36:

Certainly NOT for all…

I suggest you have someone thoroughly check your computer for possible conflicts.

system · 2016-01-22T22:44:20.000Z

Dear Bob, I am perfectionistic and experienced enough to keep and eye myself on possible conflicts and prevent them

system · 2016-01-22T22:54:05.000Z

malone.m post:33:

From my experience, this “safe mode trick” helps for about 1 day, it depends on how often you reboot/shutdown/hibernate your pc.

For what it is worth…HIBERNATE…is the very first thing I disable within a new PC.
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2859-hibernate-enable-disable-windows-10-a.html
Hibernate is notorious for mucking things up and with new Windows fast boot you cannot really tell if a reboot is a true reboot from O/S or A/V perspective.
I’ve found SLEEP is just fine for power savings and so much cleaner on resume…and power downs, boots, etc. are so much better off without hibernate.
You can do a google and see the issue of this function overs the years and it is a “layer” that can cause issues that frankly just isn’t worth the marginal benefit.

system · 2016-01-23T00:48:26.000Z

thekochs post:39:

malone.m post:33:

From my experience, this “safe mode trick” helps for about 1 day, it depends on how often you reboot/shutdown/hibernate your pc.

For what it is worth…HIBERNATE…is the very first thing I disable within a new PC.
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2859-hibernate-enable-disable-windows-10-a.html
Hibernate is notorious for mucking things up and with new Windows fast boot you cannot really tell if a reboot is a true reboot from O/S or A/V perspective.
I’ve found SLEEP is just fine for power savings and so much cleaner on resume…and power downs, boots, etc. are so much better off without hibernate.
You can do a google and see the issue of this function overs the years and it is a “layer” that can cause issues that frankly just isn’t worth the marginal benefit.

Sorry, actually I meant regular “sleep mode” in my post above. I wasn´t thinking too much about the true meaning of the word, english is not my native language

system · 2016-01-26T16:17:04.000Z

The people saying Avast isn’t causing this is in denial. I work with computer repair and I’ve been noticing it happen ever since Windows 10 came out and sometimes the issue appears immediately after installing Avast or after rebooting it once Avast is installed. Uninstalling Avast fixes of the problem every single time.

Of course if you’ve been dealing with Windows 10 for long enough you know that there are a number of things that break the start menu and cause the desktop shell to stop responding (outdated shell extensions for example), but that doesn’t mean Avast isn’t causing it too.

Oh btw this is after performing a clean install of Windows 10 on many different systems.

Just today I experienced something similar after installing avast on a Windows XP machine. Right after installation and before the “Welcome to avast” audio was played the desktop shell stopped responding, I was still able to use the mouse and interact with open Windows’ but nothing else worked. I’ve seen this happen on Windows 7 as well, more than once, and although it only happened after finishing the installation and didn’t happen again after rebooting the computer (avast worked fine after reboot) it’s very similar to what happens on Windows 10 the only difference being that on Windows 10 it can happen at any time and not just when the setup completes and before the Avast UI is able to start.

Announcements