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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Beta - Avast => Topic started by: MartinZ on August 04, 2016, 06:44:31 PM

Title: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: MartinZ on August 04, 2016, 06:44:31 PM
Hi all,

new beta version is live: 12.3.2277
This release is about passive mode which will make it easier to run Avast with another antivirus. To try it you can go to Settings and turn it on. It basically disables all realtime protection, but still receving virus definition updates and program updates so it's ready for on demand scans. Please try also to install this beta version on system, where is already another AV running, in that case the passive mode should be activated automatically. Please note that the other AV must be registered in WSC. This feature works on Windows 7 and higher.

Fixed:
+ BSOD for Skylake processor running  Windows 10 Anniversary Update(RS1)
+ Randomly opening Avast UI bug
+ SafePrice browser extension component is no longer installed during update when Browser extension was not installed in the previous version

Download links as usual or just update your current beta.

Enjoy,
AVAST Team
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: RejZoR on August 04, 2016, 07:34:04 PM
So, passive mode works the same as Redstone's Windows Defender, where it still runs, but only for periodic on-demand scans without real-time.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: Lord_Ami on August 04, 2016, 07:40:56 PM
Thanks for the update. Upgraded over previous beta without problems (custom - online install).

By the way. Passive mode is accessible via Settings - Troubleshooting.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: Gopher John on August 04, 2016, 08:18:19 PM
When Avast is in Passive mode, I would think that it wouldn't be registered in WSC.  Am I correct?
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: lukor on August 04, 2016, 09:59:58 PM
correct.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: signuprepli on August 05, 2016, 12:42:05 AM
Why would one want to run Avast in the passive mode? Is this to prevent interference with the new MS Defender in Win 10 Anniversary? If so, what real time protection would one have? Would it come from Defender? I just don't see the added value here for the average user. In summary, can the latest Avast provide real-time protection and co-exist peacefully with the new Defender in Anniversary v1607 14340.10?

http://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-windows-defender-windows-10-anniversary-update (http://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-windows-defender-windows-10-anniversary-update)
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: Gopher John on August 05, 2016, 01:22:39 AM
correct.

Thanks for reply.  This option must be to gain some exposure for Avast to users of other antivirus programs that aren't quite ready to make the change.  Smart move.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: SpeedyPC on August 05, 2016, 02:32:06 AM
I'm trying to understand is Why? what's the point of having this when most users like myself running MBAM Premium and MBAE Premium when we don't really need MS Defender.

If I'm not mistaken MS hasn't improved their Windows Defender or MS Defender for many years, and this can be a major worried to have this side by side with Avast is bloody strange ???
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: MartinZ on August 05, 2016, 11:16:04 AM
It's not only about Defender. We see in data that lot of users is running 2 or more AVs at the same time. That's why we are introducing this mode. Also we don't want to create hassle on your PC if you install Avast over your current AV to make it slow etc. With Passive mode you can use both in peace.
Other AVs are usually doing the opposite, they even won't install until you uninstall the current AV. We don't want to be that harsh and strict.

Yes we all here now that running one AV + MBAM is probably the best solution, but not all people are like us ;-) Some think that more AVs = more protection. Some don't know how to uninstall AV completely etc...
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: MartinZ on August 05, 2016, 11:18:13 AM
When Avast is in Passive mode, I would think that it wouldn't be registered in WSC.  Am I correct?

Not exactly. We are still registered in WSC but reported as OFF.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: Gopher John on August 05, 2016, 01:57:08 PM
When Avast is in Passive mode, I would think that it wouldn't be registered in WSC.  Am I correct?

Not exactly. We are still registered in WSC but reported as OFF.

If the primary antivirus is removed, will Avast automatically change from Passive mode to Active and report itself On in WSC.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: bob3160 on August 05, 2016, 03:11:38 PM
With Passive Mode, will Avast now not be the resident AV if installed on a Windows 10 System that
has Defender as it's resident AV ???
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: NON on August 05, 2016, 03:29:39 PM
Thanks for the beta :)
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: bob3160 on August 05, 2016, 04:16:00 PM
With Passive Mode, will Avast now not be the resident AV if installed on a Windows 10 System that
has Defender as it's resident AV ???
(http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1470406153862-36049.png)
Defender seems to be smart enough to disable itself when another AV is installed.
Why can't Avast be smart enough to disable other AV's when it gets installed ???
If that's not possible, why not give proper instructions as to how to remove the other AV ???

Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: DavidR on August 05, 2016, 04:43:53 PM
With Passive Mode, will Avast now not be the resident AV if installed on a Windows 10 System that
has Defender as it's resident AV ???

<snip image>
Defender seems to be smart enough to disable itself when another AV is installed.
Why can't Avast be smart enough to disable other AV's when it gets installed ???
If that's not possible, why not give proper instructions as to how to remove the other AV ???

I don't believe it is so much that Defender is smart enough to switch itself off, that was all down to the operating system (and Window Security Center 'WSC' presumably) to disable it when a 3rd party AV is installed.

The problem being, frequently the OS/WSC failed to do this, hence in the latest avast versions changed to disable windows defender itself rather than rely on the WSC to do it.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: bob3160 on August 05, 2016, 04:59:14 PM
With Passive Mode, will Avast now not be the resident AV if installed on a Windows 10 System that
has Defender as it's resident AV ???

<snip image>
Defender seems to be smart enough to disable itself when another AV is installed.
Why can't Avast be smart enough to disable other AV's when it gets installed ???
If that's not possible, why not give proper instructions as to how to remove the other AV ???

I don't believe it is so much that Defender is smart enough to switch itself off, that was all down to the operating system (and Window Security Center 'WSC' presumably) to disable it when a 3rd party AV is installed.

The problem being, frequently the OS/WSC failed to do this, hence in the latest avast versions changed to disable windows defender itself rather than rely on the WSC to do it.
So why doesn't avast also do that for other AV's installed ??? Why take a passive role ???
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: Avosec-UK on August 05, 2016, 05:43:28 PM
So why doesn't avast also do that for other AV's installed ??? Why take a passive role ???

I believe the reason is that other vendors have to implement an interface / way for Windows to disable their programs.

Avira does, if you enable WMI control, but others don't..
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: YLAP on August 07, 2016, 07:51:19 AM
Defender seems to be smart enough to disable itself when another AV is installed.

Yes, but I had to totally reinstall avast after Anniversary upgrade here. It went into conflict just after update and even repair option in avast was not working saying I have other AV on board. Had to remove it and install it freshly to get it registered correctly here. PS. Not talking about this BETA here.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: bob3160 on August 07, 2016, 03:21:14 PM
Defender seems to be smart enough to disable itself when another AV is installed.

Yes, but I had to totally reinstall avast after Anniversary upgrade here. It went into conflict just after update and even repair option in avast was not working saying I have other AV on board. Had to remove it and install it freshly to get it registered correctly here. PS. Not talking about this BETA here.
If you had a Skylake CPU, then your's was a totally different problem.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: MartinZ on August 08, 2016, 11:16:13 AM
When Avast is in Passive mode, I would think that it wouldn't be registered in WSC.  Am I correct?

Not exactly. We are still registered in WSC but reported as OFF.

If the primary antivirus is removed, will Avast automatically change from Passive mode to Active and report itself On in WSC.

Yes after PC restart after the other AV is uninstalled.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: MartinZ on August 08, 2016, 11:17:43 AM
With Passive Mode, will Avast now not be the resident AV if installed on a Windows 10 System that
has Defender as it's resident AV ???

Oh, I forgot to mention that we don't consider Defender as other AV ;-). As it's built in, it would mean we would be always in Passive mode after installation. But that's not that case. And yes Defender detects that we are installed and runing and disables itself.
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: RejZoR on August 08, 2016, 11:57:04 AM
So, if you switch avast! to Passive Mode, Windows Defender kicks in or not?
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: Asyn on August 08, 2016, 12:01:59 PM
So, if you switch avast! to Passive Mode, Windows Defender kicks in or not?
WD is blocked in the latest versions anyway. ;)
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: bob3160 on August 08, 2016, 02:53:25 PM
So, if you switch avast! to Passive Mode, Windows Defender kicks in or not?
WD is blocked in the latest versions anyway. ;)
It is however very easy to turn on the limited, on demand scanning:
(http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1470660723161-13944.png)
Title: Re: New Beta version is live - 12.3.2277
Post by: MartinZ on August 11, 2016, 04:22:21 PM
So, if you switch avast! to Passive Mode, Windows Defender kicks in or not?
If you do it as a user manually, then yes. WD turns on. But that's on WSC not on us.