Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: JohnnyBob on May 05, 2011, 07:58:47 AM
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It is apparently impossible to disable free avast completely. Some processes are still running even if all the shields are disabled. The only way seems to be to uninstall it. That's what I had to do when I wanted to install some sensitive software recently where I couldn't risk any interference. Then I reinstalled free avast, this time without the Web Shield which had been giving me problems.
I suggest that a "kill" button be made available to turn off avast completely, including all shields and all running processes.
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1. That's what I had to do when I wanted to install some sensitive software recently where I couldn't risk any interference.
2. I suggest that a "kill" button be made available to turn off avast completely, including all shields and all running processes.
1. You don't need to deactivate or uninstall avast to install new software..!
2. Bad idea, imo.
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Well, it's my opinion that counts when it comes to my computer.
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Well, it's my opinion that counts when it comes to my computer.
No problem with your opinion. ;)
Still, it's very unlikely that your wish will be fulfilled.
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My recommendation stands. :P It would be more user friendly to have a "kill" button. 8) I can uninstall/reinstall avast whenever I think necessary, such as when flashing firmware or installing sensitive low level software like a firewall, but it's significantly more time & trouble. >:(
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See Reply #1 (Point 1.) ;)
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I already did, but don't agree. There are certain special situations when I want the minimum number of running processes, giving the least risk of interference with an installation. The risk is possible damage to firmware or the op system, and I want that as near to 0% (zero) as possible.
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Have you actually tried to install the software with avast disabled as the scanners won't be scanning anything (you have them disabled), so they shouldn't get in the way. The avastSvc.exe is what controls all the shields so its process is needed to enable you to restart the avast shields without having to reboot.
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No. It would be too dangerous. I've crashed my op system in the past when trying to install/uninstall Zone Alarm (for example) and need all the edge I can get. As a matter of principle I want all unnecessary processes turned off, no exceptions. The same when I'm flashing firmware where any system slowdown or interruption could kill the device permanently. Before doing so I kill all unnecessary processes with task manager, disable them in services manager, remove them from msconfig so they won't restart when I reboot, remove them from various startup folders and registry run starts, etc. I can usually get it down to 10-15 running processes, just the barebones that windows needs to keep going. It irks me that the avast processes can't be killed, that I must uninstall it completely.
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I honestly can't see this danger that you talk of, I have never disabled avast to install a program or for windows updates and I have not experienced a problem. And I would say that there is even less risk with the shields disabled if I chose to go down that route.
As you say it is your system and your choice, but I rather doubt that avast will go down a single click option to unload everything.
So you would have to disable the self-defence module before being able to stop the task manager process and even then avast still has services/low level drivers loaded. This is the whole point of resident protection.
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Then I'll either have to continue uninstalling/reinstalling avast, or switch to a different free antivirus software. I haven't tried AVG in a long time and don't know how it's doing these days. Maybe that's my next try.
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I wish the programmers never listen the users when they ask bad things...
Please, no "kill" button.
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Then I'll either have to continue uninstalling/reinstalling avast, or switch to a different free antivirus software. I haven't tried AVG in a long time and don't know how it's doing these days. Maybe that's my next try.
Again that's your choice.
You could always boot into safe mode and install your program as avast doesn't start in safe mode (the point of safe mode, minimal running apps)
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Not good enough. Everything must be killed so it doesn't start automatically when windows is rebooted.
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The same when I'm flashing firmware where any system slowdown or interruption could kill the device permanently. Before doing so I kill all unnecessary processes with task manager, disable them in services manager, remove them from msconfig so they won't restart when I reboot, remove them from various startup folders and registry run starts, etc. I can usually get it down to 10-15 running processes, just the barebones that windows needs to keep going. It irks me that the avast processes can't be killed, that I must uninstall it completely.
First of all - if you disable avast! self-defense, you can kill the processes just fine.
Second, however - I'd say by doing those funny things you you describe, you actually increase the risk of something going wrong, not reduce. The thing is that low-level application, such as an antivirus or firewall, have their drivers loaded/installed in the system, no matter if you kill/disable their user mode processes or not - and by doing what you do, you bring the system to a unusual state, i.e. you make it more likely that the driver will cause a crash (bluescreen) because its controlling application is suddenly missing.
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I'd say by doing those funny things you you describe, you actually increase the risk of something going wrong, not reduce.
+100
you bring the system to a unusual state, i.e. you make it more likely that the driver will cause a crash (bluescreen) because its controlling application is suddenly missing.
+100
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Not good enough. Everything must be killed so it doesn't start automatically when windows is rebooted.
Why would it need to be blocked when windows is rebooted, boot into safe mode, install your program boot into normal mode you program has already been installed.
As has been confirmed by Igor, disabling the self-defence module allows you to end those processes. No need for safe mode or uninstall/reinstall.
From your signature, it seems to me what you want is an on-demand AV as you have already uninstall almost everything already.
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Also:
ZoneAlarm Free 9.2.106.000
Firefox 4.0.1
:)
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Well, a small correction - the service should be stopped in the ordinary way, not killed.
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Not good enough. Everything must be killed so it doesn't start automatically when windows is rebooted.
??? ::) ???
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I'm wondering how long this stupid topic will be discussed... ;D
In German, this would be called a "Schnappsidee"... right, Asyn? ;)
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In German, this would be called a "Schnappsidee"... right, Asyn? ;)
Right, Tex. ;D
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:)
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Thanks for the info and advice Igor. I tried it, and it works. AvastSvc.exe tries to persist for awhile but eventually dies. That's a lot easier than uninstalling/reinstalling avast, so now I have a choice. My computer, my risk...
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As I said, the service should be stopped in the usual way (from Administrative tools / Services), not killed from Task Manager.
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Also:
ZoneAlarm Free 9.2.106.000
Firefox 4.0.1
:)
FYI:
I recently tried the latest ZoneAlarm Free 9.2. It doesn't work right on my computer, and I don't have time for a research project to figure it out. Their forum wasn't much help, too much censorship. Almost everything interesting/challenging gets deleted/locked before a discussion can begin.
Firefox 4.0.1 was a stumbling block for me because of the changes in design & theme from 3.6. I couldn't stomach the changes. I finally talked someone into writing an add-on that fixes the main problem, so I've now updated to 4.0.1.
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As I said, the service should be stopped in the usual way (from Administrative tools / Services), not killed from Task Manager.
Thanks. I missed that. Will do...