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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: cookm1975 on June 05, 2021, 01:07:34 AM

Title: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
Post by: cookm1975 on June 05, 2021, 01:07:34 AM: Hi,
I have Avast free installed on my Win10 laptop.

One of the users was deleted leaving just the Admin user. I have been trying to delete the old user folders, and have been able to delete all except: C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Avast Software.

After giving Admin permissions, there is a message stating "You require permission from S-1-5-21-3237366608-2643675640-2977971756- 1036"

Can anyone help me to delete this folder?

Thanks
Title: Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
Post by: DavidR on June 05, 2021, 01:58:08 AM: I have never attempted to do this, however I believe you may still have to Disable the Avast Self Defence module to do this.
Title: Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
Post by: seb3343 on November 26, 2021, 07:38:59 PM: I have the exact same problem - was there a solution?
Title: Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
Post by: DavidR on November 26, 2021, 10:46:47 PM: Did you try disabling the Avast Self Defence module.

Given the OPs 'cookm1975' post I would say it would be strange having the same coincidence of another user removing it causing this error.
Can you give a more detailed description of what you did.

Are you getting the exact same registry error "You require permission from S-1-5-21-3237366608-2643675640-2977971756- 1036" mentioned by 'cookm1975' ?
Title: Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
Post by: ChrisBedford on August 19, 2022, 10:14:25 AM: Quote from: DavidR on June 05, 2021, 01:58:08 AM
I have never attempted to do this, however I believe you may still have to Disable the Avast Self Defence module to do this.

I'm not sure what exactly was meant by "Avast Sef Defence Module" (only have options to disable "Core Shields" which seems to encompass File, Behaviour, Web, and Mail Shields, but the menu structure of Avast is unbelievably complex) but this didn't work for me. Once you have logged on as a different user and deleted ("removed") the user in question, changing this option doesn't seem to affect files in the deleted user's profile. Not a big surprise there.

I uninstalled Avast and selected the option to remove all settings, then I was able to change security permissions in the affected user's folders and delete the entire user sub-folder from the C:\Users folder. Then reinstalled Avast again. PITA but then if you are using Avast you should be used to constant annoyances.
Title: Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
Post by: DavidR on August 19, 2022, 10:36:51 AM: Like any Self Defence, it is there to protect, in the case of an antivirus to protect itself from malicious removal or modification.

Since you don't go into details of exactly what you were doing I don't know if it was the self defence module or not. But its location is relatively easy to find (I think) - UI > Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting > Enable Self-Defence (uncheck this option and follow the prompt to acknowledge).