Author Topic: trouble uninstalling avast  (Read 7319 times)

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bluefly

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trouble uninstalling avast
« on: April 24, 2009, 04:03:28 PM »
I'm having some trouble uninstalling Avast.  I used this tool:

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html

But, there is still an entry in my registry for Alwil Software.  I thought this tool was supposed to take care of that.  What should I do to completely uninstall?  I am always a little leery of doing anything with the registry on my own, so any help you could give me would be much appreciated.  I am using Windows Vista Home Premium.

Sincerely,

Bluefly

Offline DavidR

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2009, 04:11:36 PM »
Were are you using it from, e.g. from windows safe mode or normal mode ?
What errors are displayed ?

Did you first try to uninstall avast from add remove programs and if so again any errors, etc. ?
If you either didn't uninstall first or couldn't uninstall using ad remove programs then avast and its self-defence module would block the uninstall utility (unless used from safe mode as avast doesn't run in safe mode).

Why did you need to uninstall avast if you don't mind my asking ?
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bluefly

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2009, 04:21:45 PM »
I followed the directions on that webpage I linked to exactly (so I was in Safe Mode), so I didn't try Add/Remove programs.  I'm pretty sure I installed Avast in the default directory (but I'm not positive) -- if I search for alwil or avast on my system, nothing turns up.  I don't remember if any errors displayed.  I just noticed that there was still an entry in my registry.  Should I reinstall and try uninstalling again?

I uninstalled Avast because it caused Windows Explorer to freeze and crash every so often (maybe half the times I was using it).

Thanks.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2009, 04:24:13 PM by bluefly »

Offline DavidR

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2009, 04:55:56 PM »
If you find on avast folders then the uninstall tool appears to have done its job.

There may be a legacy key in the registry for avast as that is managed by windows and not actually avast, this should in due course be removed. You don't say what that registry key is (?) so this is speculation on my part.

Did you have another AV installed or previously installed ?
This could cause a clash as they fight for control as you access the folders and files low level drivers hook the file so it can be scanned before it is allowed to run, etc.
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bluefly

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2009, 05:01:26 PM »
I think this is the key name:
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1905172521-295694528-2001652869-1000\Software\ALWIL Software

One of the reasons I checked the registry is because I want to install another AV software, and I wanted to make sure there would be no conflicts with Avast! first.

Do you think it's now ok to install something else?

Offline DavidR

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2009, 05:13:01 PM »
Are there any contents in that key if it is empty it shouldn't be an issue, I also think this s-1-5-21 user is a back-up as opposed to the in use ones, s-1-5-19 and s-1-5-20.

This image is what I see in that key.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

bluefly

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2009, 05:22:25 PM »
Well, mine is definitely more empty than yours (I've tried to attach a screenshot), so I think I'll be ok.  Thanks so much for your help.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2009, 05:23:59 PM by bluefly »

Offline Lisandro

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2009, 05:24:03 PM »
I think that key won't generate any conflict.
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Offline DavidR

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2009, 06:33:07 PM »
I don't think there will be a problem either, as I can see from your image there is no sub-folders in the avast folder (no + plus sign).
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bluefly

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2009, 10:28:09 PM »
Thanks.

Offline DavidR

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2009, 11:37:26 PM »
You're welcome.
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Offline Lisandro

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Re: trouble uninstalling avast
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2009, 12:03:14 AM »
You're welcome. Feel free to come back any time you need help or just to change experiences 8)
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