[RESOLVED] Backing up Avast settings

[timo]

Does anyone else have problems backing up Avast settings in W7 x64?

On any other system (XP 32 bit, W7 32 bit, Vista 32 bit) it runs fine,
but with W7 x64 system I get an error message like this when I try to save settings.

It's in Finnish but it says "Error exporting settings. Access denied".

Target folder was writeable, that is certain.

Any clue?

[SafeSurf]

What version of Avast are you using?  The newest version has fixed many problems.  The newest version is 7.0.1456.

[timo]

I'm using the latest version.
This problem has existed in previous versions, too.

[SafeSurf]

Do you have this problem if you switch to the English language?

[timo]

I have not tested the English version, but since my all other working 32 bit systems are also Finnish language versions, I doubt that this is not the cause.
Anyway, I will test it later today.

[SafeSurf]

I was just curious regarding the different language and can pass this along to the Avast developers.  Thank you for testing if you can.

You may want to also try an Avast Repair:
XP Users:
- Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > Avast Antivirus.
- Scroll down and choose Repair function in the pop-up window.
- Reboot.

Vista & Win7 Users:
-   Control Panel
-   Programs & Features
-   Uninstall a Program > Select Avast Antivirus
-   Click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair
-   Click Next and follow.
-   Reboot.

Let us know if the Repair fixes your problem.  Thank you.

[timo]

First repaired Avast keeping the Finnisn language. No change.

Then changed installation to English language. Only difference is that this time error message is partly in English, saying "Error while exporting settings. Käyttö estetty." Last part of the message means "Access denied".

As the last part of message is still in Finnish, it indicates that it is due to Windows which is a Finnish language version.

[SafeSurf]

Could you please uninstall and do a clean install of Avast to see if this fixes your problem?  Do a System Restore first.  When you do your installation, do a CUSTOM install.  If you do not want Chrome as your browser, make sure you untick the install Chrome box in the left bottom window during installation, then make sure you reboot after installing it and before using Avast.  Here are the directions for the Uninstall / clean install:

1. Save a copy of Avast and save it to your HDD:       
Avast Free AV:                http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
Avast Pro AV :                 http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
Avast Internet Security:   http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
2. Download the Avast Uninstall Utility http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD. 
3. Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
4. Go into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool. Uninstall ALL previous versions and products of Avast you had on this machine and reboot in between each uninstall. 
6. Reboot.
7. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
8. Get Internet access and register your copy or add the license key for Free, Pro, or AIS online.
    Free – http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php
9. Update the Avast definitions.

Knowledge based article:
https://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=504#idt_0003

Let us know if this fixes your problem.  Thank you.

[timo]

With "Do a System Restore first" you mean this removal process you mentioned, or something else ?

[DavidR]

No that is Windows System Restore, but personally I don't have a lot of confidence in system restore, not to mention there was no advice to how far back to do a system restore (presumably to before the last avast program update). I would just go with the clean re-install of avast as outlined above less the SR.

[bob3160]

No that is Windows System Restore, but personally I don't have a lot of confidence in system restore, not to mention there was no advice to how far back to do a system restore (presumably to before the last avast program update). I would just go with the clean re-install of avast as outlined above less the SR.

There have also been many reports that using system restore to restore a previous version of avast! does not work.

[petr_matrix]

Hi timo,
what is your path for the exported file? Is it on the same volume?
Or just try another folder, e.g. your desktop folder or system root folder.

Thanks,
PM

[timo]

Could you please uninstall and do a clean install of Avast to see if this fixes your problem?  Do a System Restore first.  When you do your installation, do a CUSTOM install.  If you do not want Chrome as your browser, make sure you untick the install Chrome box in the left bottom window during installation, then make sure you reboot after installing it and before using Avast.  Here are the directions for the Uninstall / clean install:

1. Save a copy of Avast and save it to your HDD:       
Avast Free AV:                http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
Avast Pro AV :                 http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
Avast Internet Security:   http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
2. Download the Avast Uninstall Utility http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD. 
3. Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
4. Go into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool. Uninstall ALL previous versions and products of Avast you had on this machine and reboot in between each uninstall. 
6. Reboot.
7. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
8. Get Internet access and register your copy or add the license key for Free, Pro, or AIS online.
    Free – http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php
9. Update the Avast definitions.

Knowledge based article:
https://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=504#idt_0003

Let us know if this fixes your problem.  Thank you.

Did everything as described above except the system restore,
and between lines 6 and 7 I manually removed any leftovers in registry pointing to Avast.

And now Backing up Avast settins works !! Problem fixed. 

[SafeSurf]

Did everything as described above except the system restore,
and between lines 6 and 7 I manually removed any leftovers in registry pointing to Avast.
And now Backing up Avast settins works !! Problem fixed. 

Good news!    You also cleaned up your machine, so it looks like everything is working well for you.  Use your machine normally for the next day, and if all is going well and you have no problems, go back to the title of your first post and change the beginning of it and add [RESOLVED] in front of it so we know to close the tread.  Thank you for allowing me to assist you.