Author Topic: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?  (Read 31115 times)

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MrLewk

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Hi, is anyone else having this issue? I had Avast free installed and working fine for a while (since the last time this happened!) and suddenly I noticed it is saying my licence has expired - which I then notice that my Avast is now the "pro" version and is asking me for a paid licence or to start a trial!
I clicked "renew now" without looking properly first, which then only gave me 12 days of trial period. I then tried to update the program as it was giving me an error about updating due to the license, and suddenly the trial period went to zero days and the renew button asks for payment to renew.

This happened recently already and I had to get the Avast safe mode uninstaller to clear it and get the free version back, and now it's happened again only a few weeks later! If it wasn't for the update failing (due to invalid license) I wouldn't have realised I was unprotected and who knows what virus' could have got on my computer in the mean time.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a fix?

Mellabella

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2013, 11:20:14 AM »
Can't help you with a fix. I'm desperately looking for one myself!
Exactly the same thing has happened to me.
Haven't been able to uninstall, note even with the Avast safe mode uninstaller, or re-install.
Have therefore no working antivirus cover as the Provirus I paid for on 22/3 isn't working either (it's impossible to insert the licence key).
CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE???? :'(

Offline Pondus

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2013, 12:06:48 PM »
Quote
Haven't been able to uninstall, note even with the Avast safe mode uninstaller, or re-install.
why.....what errors

Mellabella

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2013, 12:43:05 PM »
It's all in Swedish so there's probably no point in copying and pasting (get seveal different messages too), but when uninstalling on the Avast safe mode I get a confirmation that the programme has been removed, but after rebooting the Avast logo is still down near the clock and is crossed over.
Re-booting has to be done several times before it works, as it usually just leads to a completely black screen. Same thing happens after rebooting after running Windows Repair.
Have tried re-installing the Pro version, but when I try to complete with the licence key I get a message that the "file isn't found".
All this started on Friday 22/3 after I got a message saying that my subscription to Pro had expired and need to be updated, although in fact I had no Ori subscriotuion, having only run the free version very successfully for many years.
Sorry to be so completely untechnicalin explaining what's happening!

Offline Pondus

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2013, 02:07:15 PM »
Quote
It's all in Swedish so there's probably no point in copying and pasting
joho.....jeg er veldig flink og lese svensk.   ;)

Offline essexboy

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2013, 03:48:55 PM »
Re-run the uninstall process

Lets reinstall Avast

Download Uninstall Utility to your Desktop.
Download the correct version of Avast 
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
Disconnect from the net
Uninstall Avast via control panel

  • Boot to Safe Mode.
    • Restart the computer.
    • As soon as BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until the Advanced Options menu appears.
    • Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with Networking menu item
    • Press Enter.
  • Run aswClear
  • In the Select Product to Uninstall dropdown choose the version of Avast that is on your system.

  • Press Uninstall
  • Once complete reboot your system to Normal Mode
  • Reinstall Avast
----------

Mellabella

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2013, 05:19:32 PM »
Thank you Essexboy. It worked this time round.
Tried yesterday and tearlier today to do exactly the same without any success, but now it worked.
Must be your magic touch. Thanks.
Didn't risk trying the Pro version, as that was what seemed to start all this mess in the first place.
Thanks again.

Offline essexboy

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2013, 07:45:49 PM »
 ;D

MrLewk

  • Guest
Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2013, 01:58:24 PM »
Re-run the uninstall process

Lets reinstall Avast

Download Uninstall Utility to your Desktop.
Download the correct version of Avast 
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_pro_antivirus_setup.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_internet_security_setup.exe
Disconnect from the net
Uninstall Avast via control panel

  • Boot to Safe Mode.
    • Restart the computer.
    • As soon as BIOS is loaded begin tapping the F8 key until the Advanced Options menu appears.
    • Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with Networking menu item
    • Press Enter.
  • Run aswClear
  • In the Select Product to Uninstall dropdown choose the version of Avast that is on your system.

  • Press Uninstall
  • Once complete reboot your system to Normal Mode
  • Reinstall Avast
----------

I've done this twice before already, and yet Avast! keeps randomly going to Pro version despite the fact I have the *free* version installed! I will start the computer and get a red popup saying my pro version has expired and can't update, but I've never even installed the Pro!

I'll try this again though just so I can have some anti-virus protection, but it doesn't seem to be a long term fix.


(PS - is there a way to get notified of replies here? I couldn't seem to find an option)

Offline bob3160

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2013, 04:08:57 PM »

Hope that helps. :)
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

MrLewk

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Offline bob3160

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #11 on: April 05, 2013, 03:55:04 PM »
You're welcome. :)
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

lnjr

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2013, 08:12:44 PM »
I have a question - that I hope should be posted here and if not I do apologize.

I turned on my pc this afternoon and a box came up telling me that my trial period for the pro version has not been activated.  I do know that the free version stated that there was an update and that it was installed within the past day or two but I did not click to install the pro version at any time.  I went to the control panel and it states that the version installed was installed on 3/11/13 and it is version 7.0.1483 but if I click on the icon in my system tray it is stating that the version installed is 8.0.1483.

So I don't get it.  How is it that the icon for the anti-virus is stating that version 8.0.1483 (pro version) is installed but that is not what is showing up in the control panel of the computer. 

So what should I be doing - should I do a clean uninstall of the anti-virus program as you has suggested and then installed the current free version or is there something else I should do first?

Thanks So VERY Much

lnjr

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2013, 08:22:37 PM »
Okay that box popped up again and what it is actually saying is avast! Information  Your subscription for Avast Internet security has expired.  As a result, the program will not download any further updates and there is a renew now icon to click on

and if I click on the icon in the system tray and select subscription information I get a screen stating Avast Free Antivirus Trial Period not activated with an icon to activate trial period and under that it states Trial Period could not be activated - 10 days remaining.  I did click on the activate trial period and now it states that I can 30 days but I don't get it since I did not click to install that internet security pro version and when I had originally clicked on insert license file the screen for select a file from my desktop popped up. 

I don't understand what is going on here.  I have never had an issue before

MrLewk

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2013, 11:56:47 PM »
Okay that box popped up again and what it is actually saying is avast! Information  Your subscription for Avast Internet security has expired.  As a result, the program will not download any further updates and there is a renew now icon to click on

and if I click on the icon in the system tray and select subscription information I get a screen stating Avast Free Antivirus Trial Period not activated with an icon to activate trial period and under that it states Trial Period could not be activated - 10 days remaining.  I did click on the activate trial period and now it states that I can 30 days but I don't get it since I did not click to install that internet security pro version and when I had originally clicked on insert license file the screen for select a file from my desktop popped up. 

I don't understand what is going on here.  I have never had an issue before

This is exactly what happened to me - twice now! I've just had to follow the above instructions to fix it so far, nothing else seems to work and there's no telling how long the "fix" will last.