Just got a new laptop with a brand new copy of windows 7. I installed the latest version of avast however when I tried to do the ‘right click > scan’ function nothing happened.
Yes I do have the automatically open scan results button ticked, no i’m not in gaming mode (though that hasn’t been an issue before) and yes i’ve performed a program repair but with no change
Is there any pre-installed AV software like Norton or McAfee on this laptop?
i had a preinstalled norton (forced upon me) but i’ve removed it, however this was after i installed avast but before i did the program repair
If you didn’t run their removal tool, I would suggest you try that>>http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080710133834EN&ln=en_US, then try a repair again if the problem persists, and if that fails lastly try reinstalling Avast!.
still no luck
Ummm…maybe I am a doubter by nature, but I am having a hard time believing you did all I suggested in a mere 13 minutes tops. 
did you reboot after running the removal tool ?