I had the same problem when the Avast updated to the new "program" the computer literally dropped to 25% of it's normal speed. After days of dealing with this insanity, I removed avast then installed the previous Avast program and my computer is now running at normal speeds.
I have been told by a number of clients that Avast may be doing the same stupidity as AVG and seeking out so called pirated software. I have gotten many complaints that Avast attacked software it thought was pirated, or programs it thinks are used to steal software, or crack software. The biggest problem here is, professional programmers are now having Avast attack their work.
Last night another person who programs, called me with the same issue.
So here is the question... Is Avast concerning themselves with being hunters of suspected software, like AVG is?
Another complaint is all the bloated crap in Avast that no one asked for. I don't need my Anti Virus managing ME. All I asked for is it to fight infections, not manage my computers resources, and store my information on a cloud where my privacy become at risk. And before someone spouts off how it is impossible that information connected to the cloud is safe, the facts disprove this.
In the last several years I have turned about 20,000 clients on to Avast and now it seems I need to find another less invasive anti virus. This slow down problem is costing me money and I am not happy.
Is there a solution, or do I need to look elsewhere for my needs and the needs of my clients?
I am running several machines, but like this one most have 6 gigs of ram, Windows 7, and 4 core AMD or Intel all 64 bit processors.