Just like to confirm that the GUI update and freeze on reboot, no Start Menu, no working apps is also happening on
Win XP Home SP3 32-bit edition.
System is also running ZoneAlarm Free and Malwarebytes Free (which, if I understand correctly, does not have a real time component).
It is very disappointing that Avast has been aware of this problem for so many days, yet leaves the update out there to consume ("waste") so many people's valuable time. I personally find that appalling. It cost me over four hours on Friday afternoon. My jaw dropped when I came here and found out that the same problem has been posted by multitudes, yet it is still out there like a waiting trap for anyone to fall in. That is really callous.
Carol