Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Ttail on April 15, 2020, 11:39:46 PM
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Trying to update my Virus definitions. When I do I get the following
Virus definitions are up to date
Release date was invalid date
(Ver.200414-0)
So what is the significance of this ? how do I fix it ?
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What does it show in your C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\defs folders ?
Does you defs folder match what you have posted ?
If so try am manual Engines and Virus Definitions update (from the avast tray icon).
If it still reports you are up to date, try an Avast Repair.
Avast UI, Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting - Repair App. After the repair, restart your system and check again.
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I have just updated AVAST definitions. the version number has changed but the Invalid date message is still there it now reads:
Virus definitions are up to date
Release date was Invalid date
(ver.200415-0)
(https://i.postimg.cc/904trLXY/Avastdate.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
So what does the line Release date was invalid date mean.
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I think this could be a time zone bug (possibly), I think I have seen this before in the forums recently. What is your Time Zone?
You could try the Avast Repair I mentioned before.
If the defs sub-folder matches what it says in the interface I (personally) wouldn't be too concerned, so long as I'm getting the updates.
I don't see any streaming updates in your image. Are your virus updates set to Automatic and Streaming updates set to Enable ?
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There have been several reports of this problem since the last version update. Some of us have managed to get this normalised by doing a manual update of defs via the UI "Update". May need a PC "Restart" (not shut-down - startup) for good measure.
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I only have Automatic update enabled. Not Streaming. Will try streaming as well. Time Zone is UTC +10
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I only have Automatic update enabled. Not Streaming. Will try streaming as well. Time Zone is UTC +10
Streaming updates is meant to be a default action (only when virus updates are enabled), why yours is off I can't say (user adjusted perhaps) ?
I would say you should enable it as you get very frequent, small updates (3KB or so), this keeps ypu up to date virus database wise until you get the next Engines and Virus Definitions update.
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Same thing with Avast on my PC since two days.
I did several repairs and restarts and deinstallation and new installation of Avast Free Antivirus - always the same.
I think it's no problem with my computer since i have done nothing important when this problem arrived - must be up to Avast Free Antivirus.
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I don't see it here,
(https://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1587305337720-18044.png)
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I've now uninstalled Avast Free Antivirus for the 3rd time, this time in addition to the native uninstaller extra with avastclear.exe. And then after a new PC restart in save mode, I deleted all the folders created by Avast. After a new (conflicting) installation of Avast, the virus definitions are now correctly displayed as up to date.
What I still disapprove of very much is that Avast has taken control of Firefox's certificate management and that this cannot be stopped by switching off HTTPS + QUIC/HTTP3 scanning in the Avast settings under Web shield.
In addition, the attempt to install Avast this time with the offline installer did not work - only led to error messages when trying to call the installed Avast - it only worked then with the old online installer avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe with date August 19, 2016.
Postscript:
The reason for the whole mess with the notificatons about invalid date of the definitions was so far unclear to me. I hadn't made the slightest change to my computer and Windows configuration before and when it occurred.
I have now looked at the timeline again - it started pretty exactly with the update from Avast version 19 to version 20. The thing about the attack on Firefox started just before that with one of the last versions 19.
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Have you tried clicking [Check for updates]? as I mentioned in my earlier reply#4.
That seemed to get my automatoc def updates and dates working again. (unless it was a coincidence).
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Have you tried clicking [Check for updates]? ...
After a new (conflicting) installation of Avast, the virus definitions are now correctly displayed as up to date.
But even before this new installation I tried everything possible, even to click "[Check for updates]" several times - without success!
Only the 3rd un-installation and radical removal of Avast in the file system and the subsequent (conflict-ridden) re-installation brought success.
... Avast's stubbornness has wasted too much of my time and this has been the most blatant negative culmination of difficulties with Avast Free Antivirus for me so far... :o
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I will look for another antivirus program because Avast's stubbornness has wasted too much of my time and this has been the most blatant negative culmination of difficulties with Avast Free Antivirus for me so far.
What is this Avast stubbornness that you speak of ?
Those that have responded (promptly) in this topic are Avast users just like yourself.
Have you tried to contacted Avast by another method (support ticket, etc.) ?
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What is this Avast stubbornness that you speak of ?
I didn't want to annoy anyone with this criticism in this forum, sorry :-[
By stubbornness I meant, among other things, that all attempts to repair the invalid definitions date by clicking "check for updates" failed. That "repair app" in "setting"/"troubleshooting" was also unsuccessful. That normal un-installation and re-installation didn't change anything. At last the un-installation, then avastclear.exe, then the removal of all of Avast's folders and files and then the following re-installation was successful.
And even this new installation did not work with the offline-setup: trying to open the surface of the newly installed Avast only resulted in an error message. Only the online setup with "avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe" (file date 2016-08-19) then led to the goal.
And that Avast-FAV does not take over my saved settings even after several attempts - I have to enter it again manually.
I don't want to write about previous minor problems now, there were, but they could be solved more quickly.
All of this cost me several hours. The cause of these errors is not with me, because I had not changed the slightest thing about my computer constellation before the errors occurred, except for the automatic update from Avast 19 to 20
Isn't it understandable that I am angry that a piece of software caused me a lot of trouble? But it is of course in no way directed against the members of this forum.
Those that have responded (promptly) in this topic are Avast users just like yourself.
Have you tried to contacted Avast by another method (support ticket, etc.) ?
I know that this is a forum of Avast users - a good and helpful one. And I thank everyone who wanted to help me with their answers. I am sorry if in my annoyance I might have formulated the criticism of Avast Free Antivirus v20 in such a way that someone in the forum had to feel addressed. Sorry for that - it wasn't meant to be. It should only be a criticism of this antivirus software. But it is true, these passages in which I expressed my anger have do do nothing here, in a forum of users - so I will remove this from my posts.
I didn't contact Avast because I think a forum is faster.
Sorry again and meanwhile my Avast FAV is working so far.
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Side note, you can submit your feedback in "About Avast".
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Have you tried clicking [Check for updates]? ...
... Avast's stubbornness has wasted too much of my time ...
@Zitrus, No worries, I knew what you meant by "Avast's stubbornness".
I am glad your issue is now fixed and you can now chill :)
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@...I am glad your issue is now fixed and you can now chill :)
Thank you :)
Unfortunately I can't relax yet :(
The problem with the date of the virus definitions has been fixed, but the issue by Avast FAv persistent meddling with Firefox "The browser is managed by your organization" is still virulent.
It was gone after uninstalling Avast FAv. But after reinstalling of Avast FAv v20 this unsolicited impingement on Firefox was back, although I deactivated HTTPS + QUIC / HTTP3 in the Avast settings.
So far I haven't found a solution for this :-\
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Have you seen this re Firefox:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=233119.msg1543278#msg1543278
However, the browser issue differs from the prime subject of this thread. Maybe better you start a new thread than divert this one.
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The problem with the date of the virus definitions has been fixed, ...
How long does "fixed" last? My translator says:
One should not chickens before they hatch the day! ::)
Again! :o "Virus definitions are not up to date" - Oh dear! >:(
(time, date and time zone of my computer is perfect and time setttings are Windows default)
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@Zitrus,
That is weird as the version of your virus definitions is same as mine just now. Just time is different, but you are likely in different time zone.
Have you tried clicking [Update] again?
(saying is: "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched." your translator was not so bad).
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Have you tried clicking [Update] again?
Thanks for answering.
Sure I did that, several times. Manual offline updates too (defs from https://www.avast.com/de-de/download-update. No successes.
Time zone as in picture.
Well, I guess "Virus definitions are not up to date" is a false report and I hope my computer is protected by Avast FAv.
I am stumped at this bug and it's up to Avast now - I hope a new version will fix it. On my part there will be no time-wasting uninstall-reinstall ping-pong anymore.
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Does what is reported in your image of reply #18 above, match the defs sub folder ?
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Does what is reported in your image of reply #18 above, match the defs sub folder ?
Thanks for answering
There's a lot more in the folder. The newest and the ones from 8 days back. Does it have to be that way?
Strange thing: the date and the content of aswdefs.ini ???
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Does what is reported in your image of reply #18 above, match the defs sub folder ?
Thanks for answering
There's a lot more in the folder. The newest and the ones from 8 days back. Does it have to be that way?
Strange thing: the date and the content of aswdefs.ini ???
You're welcome.
The defs sub-folder should be periodically cleared (not necessarily immediately), as a new Virus Definitions Update (VPS update) comes in, it should clear the streaming updates associated with the previous VPS update.
If you are regularly restarting your system (not using the windows quick boot) that is normally when Avast housekeeping occurs.
Since your Updates are still reporting your VPS isn't up to date, even though it is and you have lots of these old VPS and streaming updates. I would suggest that you do a complete Windows shutdown and restart.
If that doesn't clear most of them then try an Avast Repair again and follow it up with a complete restart again.
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If you are regularly restarting your system (not using the windows quick boot) that is normally when Avast housekeeping occurs.
Thanks, to restart the PC was a good advice! :)
I did a restart into my administrator account - no improvement yet this time.
Then I changed my regular user account in a administrator one and made a restart again into this account - this second restart finally brought the desired success.
(I changed now back to Windows user account)
OK, it's fine now. But I think it shouldn't be that for Avast's housekeeping a restart is necessary every week.
With the previous version 19, I didn't have the slightest problem with the "up to dateness" of the definitions although I sometimes didn't restart my PC for several weeks. Only with the update to version 20 the problem did arise. I hope Avast will fix this sometime.
And thanks again for your help - I myself never thought that something as simple as restarting brings something in this case 8)
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You're welcome.
Ordinarily it shouldn't need a restart to trigger the housekeeping. I don't restart my win10 laptop system that frequently and my defs sub-folder is fairly clear most times that I check (in cases like this questions in the forum).
I don't know why you booted into your Administrator account, perhaps because your ordinary/regular user account didn't have administrator privileges. Now that you have given it Administrator privileges, Avast may be able to carry out this housekeeping. Just monitor it over a few days and see.
You would be surprised what a simple restart will resolve (and not just this) on your system.
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Now that you have given it Administrator privileges, Avast may be able to carry out this housekeeping. Just monitor it over a few days and see.
That's a misunderstanding. I wrote a tad unclear "(I changed now back to Windows user account)".
I changed the mentioned account back to an user account without administrator privileges. I think it's too risky to give a standard user account administrator privileges on the long run. Because malware may have sneaked in online, malicious files may be hidden in temporary folders or in browser caches - harmless, as long as you are only a standard user but just "waiting" for you to make a mistake. Risky especially when you are online as administrator. That is why I had deleted all caches and temporary folders prior to equipping my standard user account with administrator privileges. And I did an extra virus scan before.
And finally i changed it back to an standard user account - it's just safer. 8)
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OK, thanks for the clarification, if necessary a restart should trigger the housekeeping in the defs sub-folder.
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Hello.
I have the same problem with "Invalid date".
There are no visible problems in the defs folder.
Restarts, including those with administrative rights, did not help.
Repair didn't help either.
About 10 restarts were made.
This problem seems to have occurred since version 20. But I didn't pay attention to this before, because the antivirus works without problems. Updates are installed without problems. But recently, this "Invalid date" has become a nuisance. I found this topic. So I'm not the only one with this problem.
Most likely, the problem is really in the Avast antivirus.
And that makes me very upset. :(
A screenshot is attached.
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@SumpoZ
Have you tried clicking [Update] again?
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@SumpoZ
Have you tried clicking [Update] again?
Yep.
Screenshot:
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@ SumpoZ
To remove a duplicate image, click the Modify icon top right of your post.
When that opens go to the Attachments and other options again and uncheck the duplicated image.
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:) Am I in a land of miracles? ;)
Today, Avast FAV v20 updated aswdefs.ini the first time
without a restart or doing anything on my part 8)
Is it finally grown up? ;) Or was it a microupdate of Avast FAV? :-* Great again! ;) :D
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:) Am I in a land of miracles? ;)
Sadly, I am not in this land. :(
Screenshots:
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:) Am I in a land of miracles? ;)
Sadly, I am not in this land. :(
Screenshots:
Have you tried any of the previous suggestions.
Avast Repair, followed by a restart (full shutdown and restart) ?
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Have you tried any of the previous suggestions.
Avast Repair, followed by a restart (full shutdown and restart) ?
Yes. I wrote about this in a message (Reply #28) from may 7 here on page 2.
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Have you tried any of the previous suggestions.
Avast Repair, followed by a restart (full shutdown and restart) ?
Yes. I wrote about this in a message (Reply #28) from may 7 here on page 2.
Were those restarts full restart as in the image attached to my Reply #23 as windows 10 can do a quick shutdown and that isn't the same.
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Were those restarts full restart as in the image attached to my Reply #23 as windows 10 can do a quick shutdown and that isn't the same.
Yes. I knew about this on may 7.
But to make sure, I restarted the computer now again several times including restarts under a user with administrative rights.
In addition to restarts, I did shutdown with the Shift key pressed.
Executed commands in cmd:
shutdown /s /f /t 0
shutdown /r /f /t 0
Even disabled "Fast Startup" feature, then were restarts again.
Repair, then were reboots again.
I feel that maybe only a complete reinstall of Avast Antivirus will help. But this is again an additional waste of time. Moreover, it has already been written here that reinstalling did not even help, because Avast Antivirus leaves a lot of leftovers that are difficult to remove. So sad. :(
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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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Ooh...
Finally, after completely reinstalling Avast, the update date appeared.
First, the usual removal of Avast Antivirus via Windows Control Panel. Then restart.
Avastclear.exe (Uninstall Utility https://www.avast.com/en-us/uninstall-utility) utility was used in Windows safe mode for complete deletion Avast Free Antivirus 20.3.2405 (thanks to bob3160).
Then restart again.
But even after all this, there were still a lot of Avast folders and files in the file system (in folders "C:\ProgramData"; "C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local"; "C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming"; etc). All Avast folders and files were also deleted manually, thanks to "Everything" app with brilliant fast (in milliseconds) search feature. If someone in a similar situation is going to delete Avast folders and files, do it very carefully, you should know what you are doing.
Then the offline installer was used for installation Avast Free Antivirus 20.3.2405. During new installation, the PC was disconnected from the Internet. (And the disconnect from the Internet was performed at the first step, before deleting Avast Antivirus via Windows Control Panel.)
Before the Internet connection was established, the "Invalid date" label appeared again. And I then thought that all this time to reinstall was wasted. But after the definitions update, everything was fine. :D
I hope that in the future will be no problems with the update date again. And I hope that the next version of the Avast Antivirus will fix this to ensure that this problem does not occur.
Thanks to everyone who answered and helped here.
Screenshot (Russian language, but you can see that the date is all right; before reinstalling was English, to make it more understandable to the people of this forum):
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You're welcome.