Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Ιωαννάκι on July 31, 2018, 10:43:10 PM
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Hey guys!
I want to update my Avast Antivirus to the latest version regarding a notification on my laptop about virus definitions. Wanting it or not, I then opened the antivirus app and clicked on Settings>Update>and then clicked Virus Definitions. For some reason the virus definitions couldn't update, so for my own safety I turned to updating the program itself. Started yesterday, but the bar is stuck and can't move. It's still stuck on Step 1.
This morning I tried to reinstall it but the setup took forever. Even tried to download the offline setup but took about 42 minutes and canceled the download. Then wanted to uninstall it but the setup was the reason why it couldn't uninstall. Waited and the bar does nothing. And still, the bar does nothing. Is it because of the Wi-Fi connection that's slow where I'm staying now?
Oh, and if you're interested, here are the specs of my laptop:
Windows 10 64-bit
8GB RAM
Intel Core i5-7200U CPU @ 2.50 GHz
1TB of HDD (only)
Thank you in advance, any help would be much appreciated.
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- Which version of Avast Free..?
- Other security related software installed..?
- Which AV(s) did you use before Avast..?
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1. 18.5.2342 (build 18.4.3895.327)
2. Nothing related to security only Avast antivirus
3. Only Avast is installed on my laptop
PS. Can't uninstall it again because setup has been running for 5 days already. Nor can I reinstall it. Setup takes forever, is it because of the Wi-Fi?
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1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions..!!)
3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.
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If I try uninstalling Avast Antivirus in Normal mode, is it the same as running avastclear.exe in safe mode?
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If I try uninstalling Avast Antivirus in Normal mode, is it the same as running avastclear.exe in safe mode?
No, avastclear is designed to remove avast if there are problems with a normal uninstall.
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Run avastclear.exe by double-clicking it in normal mode. It will ask you to run it in Safe Mode. Click yes and, assuming you didn't change the default install locations, run the executable as is in Safe Mode. If you changed the default install locations to somewhere else, you'll need to point the cleaner at those locations.
Be careful. Cleaner will completely erase folders and files it is pointed at.
Reboot.
Setup and Self-Defense will not run in Safe Mode, which is why this should work. You must run it in Safe Mode.
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Run avastclear.exe by double-clicking it in normal mode. It will ask you to run it in Safe Mode. Click yes and, assuming you didn't change the default install locations, run the executable as is in Safe Mode. If you changed the default install locations to somewhere else, you'll need to point the cleaner at those locations.
Be careful. Cleaner will completely erase folders and files it is pointed at.
Reboot.
Setup and Self-Defense will not run in Safe Mode, which is why this should work. You must run it in Safe Mode.
Do you mean folders related to Avast or other folders? Note that the Antivirus is installed on C:/ drive, not on an SSD, therefore my laptop has only one hard drive, C:/ (as an HDD).
Also, do you mean running Windows in Safe Mode or just the program?
Is it the same installing offline setup of the antivirus rather than the online setup? Just because I'll be absent for a couple days and I don't know about the Wi-Fi connection there, which is recommended for me to install?
I can't uninstall the program neither from Revo Uninstaller nor from Control Panel, all because of setup that's running. Still, no matter if the Wi-Fi connection is slow, the bar doesn't move.
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You've got a problem uninstalling Avast because setup is running when Windows (normal mode) is active.
Because Setup is running all the time, you cannot uninstall it in normal mode.
- Setup will not run in Windows Safe Mode. You need to run avastclear.exe in Safe Mode, else Setup will interfere with uninstallation.
- avastclear.exe is placed on your administrative desktop.
- You double-click avastclear.exe. It will ask permission to reboot into Windows Safe Mode.
- Reboot.
- Enter Windows Safe Mode via the same administrative account - use the same password or credentials you have used before.
- You should see 'Safe Mode' at each corner of your desktop (4). That is how you know you are in Safe Mode.
- Run avastclear.exe after changing antivirus to Avast Free from Avast Premier setting. Ensure avastclear.exe is pointed to clean AVAST folders only, which it is already set to do.
- Reboot.
You should find yourself back in Windows normal mode minus avast install. You should also see Windows Defender running in place of Avast.
If you are unsure about proceeding let us know.
Once Avast is off your system, report back and then we will proceed with the other issues you have.
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You've got a problem uninstalling Avast because setup is running when Windows (normal mode) is active.
Because Setup is running all the time, you cannot uninstall it in normal mode.
- Setup will not run in Windows Safe Mode. You need to run avastclear.exe in Safe Mode, else Setup will interfere with uninstallation.
- avastclear.exe is placed on your administrative desktop.
- You double-click avastclear.exe. It will ask permission to reboot into Windows Safe Mode.
- Reboot.
- Enter Windows Safe Mode via the same administrative account - use the same password or credentials you have used before.
- You should see 'Safe Mode' at each corner of your desktop (4). That is how you know you are in Safe Mode.
- Run avastclear.exe after changing antivirus to Avast Free from Avast Premier setting. Ensure avastclear.exe is pointed to clean AVAST folders only, which it is already set to do.
- Reboot.
You should find yourself back in Windows normal mode minus avast install. You should also see Windows Defender running in place of Avast.
If you are unsure about proceeding let us know.
Once Avast is off your system, report back and then we will proceed with the other issues you have.
I use Windows 10, how do I boot into safe mode?
PS. Can I uninstall the antivirus via control panel in safe mode only or via avastclean.exe?
Thanks in advance.
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Bump
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Bump
See Reply #3.
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After safe mode, will normal mode be back so that I can install the program from scratch or can I do the same in safe mode?
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After safe mode, will normal mode be back so that I can install the program from scratch or can I do the same in safe mode?
You run the avastclear tool which will automatically boot you into safe mode to remove Avast, once the tool has finished - reboot - and you'll be back in normal mode where you can reinstall Avast.
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What if after reboot Windows gets stuck in safe mode? Should I have to fix this?
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What if after reboot Windows gets stuck in safe mode? Should I have to fix this?
Unless this has happened, why are you asking about what if ???
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Maybe replies #2, #4, #7, #9, #10, #12 and #14 might be pertinent.
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Maybe replies #2, #4, #7, #9, #10, #12 and #14 might be pertinent.
Okay, I'm going to test it on my laptop. Same thing on my computer, but due to SSD, setup is complete and Antivirus is updated. The mistake I made was turning off the laptop to avoid waiting. Still, setup is running for like weeks, hopefully uninstalling it and re-installing it will help.
Can I install the program through safe mode?
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Just follow the instructions. It isn't hard.
Clean Install of Avast:
https://goo.gl/4Ptzkf
If you need additional help with the Clean Install, watch this:
https://youtu.be/p-h3myRD51A
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I'm currently downloading the avastclear.exe files and the setup to reinstall. Avast antivirus is installed on my program files drive, (not at x86) and just because I play video games and I have useful data on my documents, should I move the games folder on my desktop?
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Probably best to ask someone (family/friend/neighbor, etc.) to help you.
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Just follow the instructions:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=220940.msg1472339#msg1472339 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=220940.msg1472339#msg1472339)
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Probably best to ask someone (family/friend/neighbor, etc.) to help you.
Okay, since I feel safer, I have to move my video games' folders to the desktop because I'm afraid Safe Mode is going to somehow 'affect' the files or delete them themselves, so trying to ask an adult may be best.
One final question. Should I have to turn wi-fi off, on my laptop for the procedure to be performed, or is it best to leave it on?
Should safe mode boot in the msconfig window be checked or not? Then, if checked, should I have to uncheck it to get back to normal mode?
(Sent via smartphone)
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Probably best to ask someone (family/friend/neighbor, etc.) to help you.
Okay, since I feel safer, I have to move my video games' folders to the desktop because I'm afraid Safe Mode is going to somehow 'affect' the files or delete them themselves, so trying to ask an adult may be best.
One final question. Should I have to turn wi-fi off, on my laptop for the procedure to be performed, or is it best to leave it on?
Should safe mode boot in the msconfig window be checked or not? Then, if checked, should I have to uncheck it to get back to normal mode?
(Sent via smartphone)
Safe Mode moves nothing.
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Tried everything, attempted 4 times to install it and uninstalled it once because it didn't load.
Here's how it went.
First attempt. Tried to load safe mode to uninstall the program, forgot to run avastclear.exe as administrator. I used minimal safe mode. Folders were in desktop since I felt safer moving them.
Second attempt. Same as 1st, but with network mode on.
Third attempt. Same as first.
Fourth attempt. Started through normal mode the setup, booted to safe mode after being prompted to, and re-installed the program through normal mode. For some reason the UI had turned white, so I updated it and clicked Avast Antivirus again. Same thing.
Uninstalled the program, restarted and reinstalled successfully. For your information the program uninstalled successfully through avastclear.exe at fourth attempt, and ran the smart scan again.
Thank you so much!
(PS. In case the problem I had gets repeated, I should try these steps again)
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You're welcome.