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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Peter52 on March 07, 2022, 06:47:54 PM

Title: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 07, 2022, 06:47:54 PM
Every day at more or less random times, aswToolsSvc.exe trashes one of my physical data drives at the rate of 100% disk utilization for a period of maybe 10 minutes. It sounds like a machine gun in a quiet room. I can stop it by ending the service but of course, I also lose the interface until I reboot. I do not schedule any scans, that is off, I run my scans manually when I wish to. This isn't right and it's going to kill my WD Black HDD if I can't make it stop.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 08, 2022, 09:06:21 AM
Dev-Info: aswToolsSvc hosts non-AV features such is Do Not Disturb Mode, Rescue Disk, Shredder, TuneUp SmartScan and some shared components.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 08, 2022, 01:44:23 PM
Dev-Info: aswToolsSvc hosts non-AV features such is Do Not Disturb Mode, Rescue Disk, Shredder, TuneUp SmartScan and some shared components.
This unfortunately doesn't answer the question as to how to stop it's accusive disc usage.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 08, 2022, 01:46:45 PM
Update to the latest version (22.2): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=318305.0
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 08, 2022, 01:59:21 PM
Update to the latest version (22.2): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=318305.0 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=318305.0)
I see nothing in the description that addresses the problem. Do you?
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 08, 2022, 02:06:03 PM
Update to the latest version (22.2): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=318305.0 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=318305.0)
I see nothing in the description that addresses the problem. Do you?
Unfortunately, the related info is only in the beta announcements.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 08, 2022, 02:10:28 PM
Update to the latest version (22.2): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=318305.0 (https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=318305.0)
I see nothing in the description that addresses the problem. Do you?
Unfortunately, the related info is only in the beta announcements.
Is this what you're referring to?
"What's fixedFixed crash in aswToolSvc"
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 08, 2022, 02:18:23 PM
This one and also other entries in earlier 22.2 betas.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 08, 2022, 02:23:50 PM
This one and also other entries in earlier 22.2 betas.
The the offending tool crashes, it reduces disc usage.
So I still see nothing that specifically addressed this problem.
Simply switching to a beta version isn't an answer or a cure.
Most people should never be using a beta version.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 08, 2022, 02:29:04 PM
Simply switching to a beta version isn't an answer or a cure.
Most people should never be using a beta version.
22.2 isn't in beta anymore, it has been officially released today. ;)
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 08, 2022, 02:35:51 PM
Simply switching to a beta version isn't an answer or a cure.
Most people should never be using a beta version.
22.2 isn't in beta anymore, it has been officially released today. ;)
I'm aware of that. This still doesn't answer the original question asked.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 08, 2022, 02:40:13 PM
Simply switching to a beta version isn't an answer or a cure.
Most people should never be using a beta version.
22.2 isn't in beta anymore, it has been officially released today. ;)
I'm aware of that. This still doesn't answer the original question asked.
I'd suggest we wait for the OP, if the latest version fixed his issue...
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 08, 2022, 03:07:02 PM
Simply switching to a beta version isn't an answer or a cure.
Most people should never be using a beta version.
22.2 isn't in beta anymore, it has been officially released today. ;)
I'm aware of that. This still doesn't answer the original question asked.
I'd suggest we wait for the OP, if the latest version fixed his issue...
It would also be nice if Avast acknowledged addressing the problem.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: rocksteady on March 08, 2022, 03:34:59 PM
It would be really nice if the Devs posted a proper changelog of what has been fixed in the new public version, instead of us guessing or trial and error. I totally agree with Bob's comments above.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 08, 2022, 05:34:37 PM
I'm using 22.1.2504 (build 22.1.6921.710)

I don't mind using a Beta but if aswToolsSvc.exe only hosts non-AV features why does it kill my gui?

*Just installed 22.2.6003 (build 22.2.7013.711), I'll let it run for today and report back. Thank you.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 08, 2022, 05:42:01 PM
I'm using 22.1.2504 (build 22.1.6921.710)
Update to the latest version (22.2): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=318305.0
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 08, 2022, 05:59:11 PM
Done. Will report back.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 10, 2022, 12:36:14 AM
Update, rebooted, the behavior continues as before. This is crazy, running a scan doesn't behave this way, why is it trashing the disk like this?
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 10, 2022, 08:25:58 AM
- Which Avast..? (Free/Premium/One)
- OS..? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP/Build..?)
- Other security related software installed..?
- Which AV(s) did you use before Avast..?
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 10, 2022, 03:14:24 PM
I've reported your concerns to Avast. Let's see if that helps.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: jaroslav.nix on March 10, 2022, 03:24:51 PM
Hello, thank you for reporting. Would it be please possible to provide us performance recording for such situation, so we can analyse which Avast component is responsible for this:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=237567.0
Thank you.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 12, 2022, 02:05:48 AM
- Which Avast..? (Free/Premium/One)  Premium Security Paid
- OS..? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP/Build..?)  Windows 10x64 LTSC
- Other security related software installed..? None
- Which AV(s) did you use before Avast..? Eset Suite on clean install then switched to Avast following the use of Eset Cleanup Tool.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 12, 2022, 02:08:34 AM
Hello, thank you for reporting. Would it be please possible to provide us performance recording for such situation, so we can analyse which Avast component is responsible for this:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=237567.0
Thank you.

Yes, I shall.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 14, 2022, 07:34:59 PM
Hello, thank you for reporting. Would it be please possible to provide us performance recording for such situation, so we can analyse which Avast component is responsible for this:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=237567.0
Thank you.

The avast-log.rar is uploading to your ftp now.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: jaroslav.nix on March 15, 2022, 04:35:21 PM
Thank you Peter52, are you sure the performance log is collected from the moment when you experienced the aswToolSvc issue, because I can see the only one process consuming almost 100% of the disk and its vmware-vmx.exe. You can have a look by opening the log in WPA (Windows Performance Analyser).
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 15, 2022, 04:58:53 PM
Not not the moment of, it happens randomly so it takes a minute or so before I catch it and start the logging. There's no way I can anticipate the start, is that what you require? Also, I wasn't running VMware at the time, I'll have a look at the log.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 15, 2022, 05:32:29 PM
Thank you Peter52, are you sure the performance log is collected from the moment when you experienced the aswToolSvc issue, because I can see the only one process consuming almost 100% of the disk and its vmware-vmx.exe. You can have a look by opening the log in WPA (Windows Performance Analyser).

Hmm, yes I see that. I guess I was running VMware but that was an unusual situation, I normally don't. I'll try again, I did an uninstall/reinstall yesterday as well so maybe that had some effect on it. Thanks Jaroslav, I'll report back.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 16, 2022, 05:32:24 PM
Thank you Peter52, are you sure the performance log is collected from the moment when you experienced the aswToolSvc issue, because I can see the only one process consuming almost 100% of the disk and its vmware-vmx.exe. You can have a look by opening the log in WPA (Windows Performance Analyser).

Jaroslav,

I'm uploading now a log file of the disk activity following a reboot. I ended the avasttools.exe during the logging so I would really appreciate it if you would have a look and let me know what you find. I did do an uninstall and reinstall a couple of days ago.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on March 16, 2022, 05:38:05 PM
Jaroslav, I'm uploading now a log file of the disk activity following a reboot...
Use/Pick a unique name (and post it here), so Jaroslav can find it. ;)
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 16, 2022, 05:57:36 PM
File name is: avast-log_Stopped_AvastTools.rar

Thanks
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 18, 2022, 01:34:59 AM
Any update? I'm not too versed in reading the log file but it certainly seems as though aswToolsSvc.exe is the process that's predominant here. I had to stop the service because of what it's doing so I'm feeling unprotected. I'd like to get this resolved.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: jaroslav.nix on March 18, 2022, 10:31:49 AM
I am sorry for my late reply, I haven't receive email notification from forum. Thanks Asyn for pinging me.
Thank you for the logs, it's very helpful. The issue is connected to TuneUp scan running on background. I will make sure the issue is reported to TuneUp team and fixed as soon as possible. One more thank you very much for your patience and help with analysis.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 18, 2022, 10:35:19 AM
I am sorry for my late reply, I haven't receive email notification from forum. Thanks Asyn for pinging me.
Thank you for the logs, it's very helpful. The issue is connected to TuneUp scan running on background. I will make sure the issue is reported to TuneUp team and fixed as soon as possible. One more thank you very much for your patience and help with analysis.
Does the TuneUp scan run on all systems even if you selected not to install the CleanUp module?
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Lubos-78 on March 18, 2022, 12:52:39 PM
Hi All. Thanks for report. We are looking at the issue and it seems that problem is that directory which is in our cleaning definitions has quite a lot of subdirectories and the scanning is taking quite a long time. We are working on solution and we will do our best to get it released as soon as possible. Bob regarding your question. Disk cleanup scanning module is part of AV smartscan which means that such scan can run even if cleanup is not installed.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 18, 2022, 12:55:56 PM
Hi All. Thanks for report. We are looking at the issue and it seems that problem is that directory which is in our cleaning definitions has quite a lot of subdirectories and the scanning is taking quite a long time. We are working on solution and we will do our best to get it released as soon as possible. Bob regarding your question. Disk cleanup scanning module is part of AV smartscan which means that such scan can run even if cleanup is not installed.
Thanks for the updated information Lubos-78.
Is there currently any way to stop this scanning process till a solution is found?
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Lubos-78 on March 18, 2022, 01:39:21 PM
Im not sure since this is question for AV development. I do not think that user can do it in UI. I will try to find solution with AV developers.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 18, 2022, 01:47:56 PM
Im not sure since this is question for AV development. I do not think that user can do it in UI. I will try to find solution with AV developers.
Thanks. :)
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: petr blatny on March 18, 2022, 02:15:43 PM
Any update? I'm not too versed in reading the log file but it certainly seems as though aswToolsSvc.exe is the process that's predominant here. I had to stop the service because of what it's doing so I'm feeling unprotected. I'd like to get this resolved.

Hello Peter52, removing cleanup component from AV setup tree should fix it. Open AV settings->Troubleshooting->ADD/MODIFY COMPONENTS->uncheck Cleanup and click on CHANGE button.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 18, 2022, 08:53:25 PM
Thank you Petr, I've removed the component. If there is any further problem I'll post back. I should mention that I run Avast on other systems as well and this is the only one exhibiting the behavior.

I think it would be helpful if component selection during setup were part of the installer as I would have saved myself many hours of effort had the option been known as I would not have installed the cleanup component initially.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: bob3160 on March 19, 2022, 12:23:30 AM
Thank you Petr, I've removed the component. If there is any further problem I'll post back. I should mention that I run Avast on other systems as well and this is the only one exhibiting the behavior.

I think it would be helpful if component selection during setup were part of the installer as I would have saved myself many hours of effort had the option been known as I would not have installed the cleanup component initially.
If you do a CUSTOM install, you get the option to choose what to install and what to omit.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on March 19, 2022, 05:32:00 PM
Thank you, I must have missed that, I always do custom installs.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Peter52 on April 21, 2022, 01:48:25 AM
Just a quick update to say that's been a while now and the excessive disk activity has ceased so stopping the cleanup utility did the trick. Thank you all very much.
Title: Re: Excessive Disk Activity Linked To aswToolsSvc.exe
Post by: Asyn on April 21, 2022, 09:08:03 AM
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.