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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: REDACTED on April 01, 2017, 12:46:32 PM

Title: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on April 01, 2017, 12:46:32 PM
Hi all,

today I installed Avast Free (german version 17.2.2288 (build 17.2.3419.0)) on my (always offline) Windows XP PC as replacement of Avira, which doesn't support XP anymore. Everything seemed to be fine, but I dont have the offline registration tab in the settings. As it is my very first Avast installation, it is still not registered with 30 days left for registration (but the progress bar is also not shown, just the four corner tiles).
How can I enter my license key Avast already sent me?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Pondus on April 01, 2017, 01:12:09 PM
Support and FAQ  >>>  https://support.avast.com/support/home

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=199715.0

Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Asyn on April 01, 2017, 02:57:51 PM
Licensing gets reworked, see: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=198923.0
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on April 01, 2017, 04:14:40 PM
I looked into the config.def-file and Alpha-licensing should be disabled (Enabled=0). Nevertheless how do I register the program offline? Offline-registration is missing, I don't have a license file, and the new licensing engine (with which I don't get the slightest idea, how offline licensing should work with this) shouldn't be active. I'm really confused...
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Asyn on April 01, 2017, 04:20:19 PM
I looked into the config.def-file and Alpha-licensing should be disabled (Enabled=0). Nevertheless how do I register the program offline? Offline-registration is missing, I don't have a license file, and the new licensing engine (with which I don't get the slightest idea, how offline licensing should work with this) shouldn't be active. I'm really confused...
I'd suggest to wait, if it doesn't auto-register after 30 days, let us know.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 01, 2017, 12:46:28 AM
Ok, Avast is still unregistered and the license runs out. Solution seems to be connecting to the internet, which won't happen with my WinXP. What's next?
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Asyn on May 01, 2017, 07:28:00 AM
Follow the link in Reply #2 and post/ask there.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 02, 2017, 09:57:17 PM
Ok, today I downloaded the current version and updated the program. Same problem, there is still no option to enter the offline registration code (see attached screenshot). Any help?
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Eddy on May 02, 2017, 10:16:51 PM
Why don't you simply connect the system to the Internet and click on register ?
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 02, 2017, 10:26:35 PM
Ok, today I downloaded the current version and updated the program. Same problem, there is still no option to enter the offline registration code (see attached screenshot). Any help?


Have you linked this installation to your my.avast.com account ?

Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 02, 2017, 10:38:32 PM
Why don't you simply connect the system to the Internet and click on register ?
Because it's a WinXP machine.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Eddy on May 02, 2017, 10:43:10 PM
Yes, and?
They can connect to the Internet.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 02, 2017, 10:43:36 PM
Ok, today I downloaded the current version and updated the program. Same problem, there is still no option to enter the offline registration code (see attached screenshot). Any help?


Have you linked this installation to your my.avast.com account ?
How to do that offline? As mentioned above, the PC gets access to quite a lot of USB-sticks, but I will not connect it to the internet. Never. So I need a solution for true (!!!) offline (!!!) use.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 02, 2017, 10:45:12 PM
Yes, and?
They can connect to the Internet.
But they shouldn't anymore...
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Eddy on May 02, 2017, 10:51:25 PM
I don't see why not.
If you are worried about security, nothing is and never will be 100% secure.
Next to that it takes less then 1 minute to register.
You can disconnect the system after the registration.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 02, 2017, 10:56:20 PM
Ok, then I don't understand, why Avast removes a 10kB-option in a 685MB program (size of Avast program folder), just to open a security risk...
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 02, 2017, 11:42:32 PM
Ok, today I downloaded the current version and updated the program. Same problem, there is still no option to enter the offline registration code (see attached screenshot). Any help?


Have you linked this installation to your my.avast.com account ?
How to do that offline? As mentioned above, the PC gets access to quite a lot of USB-sticks, but I will not connect it to the internet. Never. So I need a solution for true (!!!) offline (!!!) use.


Just have a look at my signature, XP Pro is still my main system and it is what I also use for beta testing. I also have a win7 netbook and this win10 laptop that I'm on at present.

If you are going to use XP to connect, it may be less secure because of no updates on Microsoft, but you still have avast and any other security based software, firewall, anti-malware, etc. But common sense also plays a part in avoiding infection, however it is best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Having a robust backup and recovery strategy is possibly the most important thing. For me that is having Hard disk imaging software is such a strategy to make it easy to set your system back to what it was before any issue should you experience a problem you can't live with.
-  I run a hard drive drive image weekly and keep copies of the last 6 drive images. The worst case scenario being I lose the last 6 days of changes. But some of the software allows for incremental updates so only new entries or modified elements which could be run daily. In this case you could be down to only losing changes within the last day.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Eddy on May 03, 2017, 12:42:26 AM
You are talking about usb devices.
A good start would be installing McShield if you don't have it already.

Quote
Ok, then I don't understand, why Avast removes a 10kB-option in a 685MB program (size of Avast program folder), just to open a security risk...
What has that got to do with registration ?
Ofcourse size changes as avast (as well as many other programs) are using temp files.
It has nothing to do with a security risk.

You have a system that is conencted to the Internet.
If you believe that system is properly protected, use ICS to connect the XP system to the Internet through that system.
The first system will "protect the XP system"

If you want more security, get and use a good hardware firewall and put a av on the router.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 03, 2017, 10:50:56 AM
You have a system that is conencted to the Internet.
That's wrong, my system is not and will never be connected to the internet. What's so hard to understand that? As Avira stopped its support for XP I was looking for another antivirus program and stopped by Avast, as it seemingly offered a solution for offline operation on a specific PC with full installer, activation code by email and downloadable update packages. So everything what you need. But unfortunately it doesn't work! So if you don't have a solution except "connect your PC running a completely outdated operating system with security holes the size of barn doors to the internet", please stop replying.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Eddy on May 03, 2017, 11:22:27 AM
And how do you post here ?

I've just tested it and it is working :
https://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php

Get it over and done with.

Forget about the security holes.
Every OS has them.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 03, 2017, 02:26:23 PM
And how do you post here ?
<snip>

That surely shouldn't be beyond your reasoning, by using another device.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Eddy on May 03, 2017, 03:52:18 PM
So he can get the registration code for the free version per email and print it/write it down or whatever he likes and use it on the XP system.

Problem solved, I would say.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 03, 2017, 04:07:25 PM
And how do you post here ?
<snip>

That surely shouldn't be beyond your reasoning, by using another device.
Right. Privately I use approx. 5 different PCs, one of them is the XP machine.

... and use it on the XP system.

Problem solved, I would say.
Errrr, no. Because there isn't any possibility to enter the license code. That is the problem.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 03, 2017, 04:34:00 PM
So he can get the registration code for the free version per email and print it/write it down or whatever he likes and use it on the XP system.

Problem solved, I would say.

Problem solved, NO. See the attached image in Reply #7.

Getting the registration email is only half of the issue, if you can't enter it then you're stuffed. There is no input option for the free registration number in the UI, only for the input of the paid activation code or the paid license.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Alikhan on May 03, 2017, 04:47:50 PM
Have you tried putting the free key in the paid activation code input?

Also, offline installation is officially no longer supported on Vista and XP because new CEF (only one boundled in offline installer because of size) is not supported there and the online installer will download the correct CEF version
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 03, 2017, 04:54:18 PM
Have you tried putting the free key in the paid activation code input?
<snip>

Unless avast have changed this recently, that just used to return an error, though nothing ventured nothing gained or confirmed.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 03, 2017, 05:41:14 PM
I tried it of course, but the number 1.) doesn't fit and 2.) isn't accepted.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 03, 2017, 06:10:50 PM
I tried it of course, but the number 1.) doesn't fit and 2.) isn't accepted.


Unfortunately I thought this was going to be the case.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Alikhan on May 03, 2017, 06:21:29 PM
I've got an update on this:

There is no need to register the free version via key anymore.

The offline will auto register automatically.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 03, 2017, 06:31:49 PM
Ok, how? Just wait another 30 days and see what happens? Autoregister sounds like an internet connection is required...
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Alikhan on May 03, 2017, 06:51:43 PM
Ok, how? Just wait another 30 days and see what happens? Autoregister sounds like an internet connection is required...

Just wait. It will auto register offline.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 03, 2017, 06:52:36 PM
I've got an update on this:

There is no need to register the free version via key anymore.

The offline will auto register automatically.

Well that is good news, the only problem being is they don't appear to have implemented this in the avast free UI.

Or why tell the user that he has 30 days to register (as in the image Reply #7) at all if there is no requirement.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: MartinZ on May 04, 2017, 10:11:17 AM
yes we will still need to do some changes in the UI but don't worry about the registration. the registration doesn't influence anything
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 04, 2017, 11:14:22 AM
yes we will still need to do some changes in the UI but don't worry about the registration. the registration doesn't influence anything

Thank you, hopefully this user confusion can be cleared up soon.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 26, 2017, 07:17:02 PM
Ok, to to get rid of this counter I wanted to install the most current version. As the installation failed I uninstalled the old version using the deinstaller from windows and the Avast cleaner tool. Unfortunately the installation of the current version failed again. Re-installation of the old version (17.3.2291, build 17.3.3443.0) worked, but with the registration countdown. I tried again to update to the new, current version, which failed again.
I attached the installation log file. Maybe it helps...
It seems to fail at sending anything to the internet... obviously, as it hasn't an internet connection. This shouldn't be a problem for an offline installation...
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Eddy on May 26, 2017, 07:22:46 PM
Use the off-line installer or change your DNS to the one(s) from Google and try again.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 26, 2017, 07:27:17 PM
I used the offline installer (at least some installer with 285MB, downloaded as offline installer). DNS shouldn't matter, as my machine won't get an internet connection under Win XP (already mentioned several times).
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 26, 2017, 08:41:11 PM
There has been something mentioned by one of the avast team about installing avast on XP it does need to have an internet connection, even if you are using the off-line installation setup file.

I can't recall exactly where this was mentioned, I have spent some time browsing the avast beta sub-forum (as that is I believe it was), but I have been unable to find it.

Can anyone remember this as I didn't save the topic URL.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: bob3160 on May 26, 2017, 10:28:39 PM
There has been something mentioned by one of the avast team about installing avast on XP it does need to have an internet connection, even if you are using the off-line installation setup file.

I can't recall exactly where this was mentioned, I have spent some time browsing the avast beta sub-forum (as that is I believe it was), but I have been unable to find it.

Can anyone remember this as I didn't save the topic URL.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=198923.msg1397144#msg1397144 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=198923.msg1397144#msg1397144)
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 26, 2017, 10:38:09 PM
There has been something mentioned by one of the avast team about installing avast on XP it does need to have an internet connection, even if you are using the off-line installation setup file.

I can't recall exactly where this was mentioned, I have spent some time browsing the avast beta sub-forum (as that is I believe it was), but I have been unable to find it.

Can anyone remember this as I didn't save the topic URL.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=198923.msg1397144#msg1397144 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=198923.msg1397144#msg1397144)

Thanks Bob, would you believe I actually did quickly browse that topic in my hunt :)
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: bob3160 on May 26, 2017, 10:41:42 PM
There has been something mentioned by one of the avast team about installing avast on XP it does need to have an internet connection, even if you are using the off-line installation setup file.

I can't recall exactly where this was mentioned, I have spent some time browsing the avast beta sub-forum (as that is I believe it was), but I have been unable to find it.

Can anyone remember this as I didn't save the topic URL.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=198923.msg1397144#msg1397144 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=198923.msg1397144#msg1397144)

Thanks Bob, would you believe I actually did quickly browse that topic in my hunt :)
I only found it because an other helper gave a vague answer and I started to look for the solution. :)
I hate it when incomplete help is offered. To me it's worse than no help but in this case it found the answer you needed. :)
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Asyn on May 27, 2017, 06:18:21 AM
There has been something mentioned by one of the avast team about installing avast on XP it does need to have an internet connection, even if you are using the off-line installation setup file.

I can't recall exactly where this was mentioned, I have spent some time browsing the avast beta sub-forum (as that is I believe it was), but I have been unable to find it.

Can anyone remember this as I didn't save the topic URL.
Hi Dave, I haven't the original link at hand but I reposted it in the German section.
-> https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=201769.msg1391479#msg1391479
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 27, 2017, 10:13:44 AM
There has been something mentioned by one of the avast team about installing avast on XP it does need to have an internet connection, even if you are using the off-line installation setup file.

I can't recall exactly where this was mentioned, I have spent some time browsing the avast beta sub-forum (as that is I believe it was), but I have been unable to find it.

Can anyone remember this as I didn't save the topic URL.
Hi Dave, I haven't the original link at hand but I reposted it in the German section.
-> https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=201769.msg1391479#msg1391479

Thank you, that will certainly do, as you have given the details/reason in English.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: Asyn on May 27, 2017, 10:16:08 AM
There has been something mentioned by one of the avast team about installing avast on XP it does need to have an internet connection, even if you are using the off-line installation setup file.

I can't recall exactly where this was mentioned, I have spent some time browsing the avast beta sub-forum (as that is I believe it was), but I have been unable to find it.

Can anyone remember this as I didn't save the topic URL.
Hi Dave, I haven't the original link at hand but I reposted it in the German section.
-> https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=201769.msg1391479#msg1391479
Thank you, that will certainly do, as you have given the details/reason in English.
No problem, have a good weekend. Cheers.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: REDACTED on May 28, 2017, 02:41:30 PM
So this means that there is no true offline installation anymore. Hmmm, too bad, what a pity.
A promising software broken down for... nothing?
Then I'll have to find another anti-virus solution for my XP-PC. No new user, as I'll stay with Avira for the other PCs.
Title: Re: Offline registration not available
Post by: DavidR on May 28, 2017, 03:36:40 PM
So this means that there is no true offline installation anymore. Hmmm, too bad, what a pity.
A promising software broken down for... nothing?
Then I'll have to find another anti-virus solution for my XP-PC. No new user, as I'll stay with Avira for the other PCs.


That is obviously your choice, but if you were prepared to allow the XP system to connect during the off-line install, then it should be able to download the required component and go back to being off-line for that system after the restart.