I had the problem that you are talking about. However, since updating to the latest version .1466, I no longer have this problem. I am also running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. I updated by going to Control Panel, Programs and Features, and clicked on uninstall Avast. I was then given a choice to either remove or update. I chose to update.
It worked. Now I don't have any problems, at least none that I have discovered since the update.
I did the same on another computer running Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit with the same results. No Problems.