Author Topic: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?  (Read 31125 times)

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Mellabella

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #15 on: April 14, 2013, 08:22:18 AM »
The "fix" doesn't last because as soon as you have to re-boot e. after a Windows or Adobe update the Pro warning is back again  "your subscription has expired and no updates are possible". Yesterday following the uninstall instructions above didn't help either, as I couldn't uninstall Avast properly. Just got a black screen with cursor after completing the removal. Had to then switch of teh power as nothing else helped. Eventually managed to re-boot and the Pro expiry warning sign was back again! Want to remove Avast free V8 completely anfd go back to Version 7, but don't know how.......

lnjr

  • Guest
Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #16 on: April 14, 2013, 08:04:41 PM »
I was able to uninstall that software  without any issues by following the steps that had been given to uninstall and then reinstall the software (given by essexboy - 6th post in this topic) which were as follows

Download Uninstall Utility to your Desktop.  http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
Download the correct version of Avast  (  the link that I gave is for the avast free version #8  )
http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe


Disconnect from the net

Boot to Safe Mode by
Restarting 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 then restarted the computer and all was working fine.  My problem was that it took a few hours before I got the new key for the one year registration but I now have that (which I entered by following the instructions in the email) and then shut down the pc for the night.

I just turned on my pc and all is still working without any issues (knock on wood).  I am now using the avast free version 8 which is what that above link gave me. 

If you want to get version 7 back I do know that you can find that at this link - http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/13608/  if that does not take you directly to the version that you want then just look down the list of versions available (on the right hand side) and click on that version and it will take you to the download for the version that you are interested in using.

I hope that I too don't start having the same problem again but if I do I will go back to the version 7 as well.

Offline bob3160

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #17 on: April 14, 2013, 11:02:17 PM »
Quote
My problem was that it took a few hours before I got the new key for the one year registration
Why didn't you do the registration direct following the installation of the program. ???
http://youtu.be/V0P3JFfBCDk
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Mellabella

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #18 on: April 15, 2013, 09:11:35 AM »
My problem is obviously not just with Avast free V8. Earlier I managed to remove this completely and re-install and re-boot successfully, following the instructions given by Essex boy. This worked without problems for 2-3 weeks, then after doing a Windows 7 update the problems started again. Have tride to remove Avast free V8 but when I re-boot, after getting confirmation of a successful uninstall, I just get a black screen with cursor. After numerous and various attempts, using Repair etc I manage to get the computer started, but then Avast free V8 is back again, along with the warning that the Pro version has expired!

Offline bob3160

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #19 on: April 15, 2013, 04:16:32 PM »
My problem is obviously not just with Avast free V8. Earlier I managed to remove this completely and re-install and re-boot successfully, following the instructions given by Essex boy. This worked without problems for 2-3 weeks, then after doing a Windows 7 update the problems started again. Have tride to remove Avast free V8 but when I re-boot, after getting confirmation of a successful uninstall, I just get a black screen with cursor. After numerous and various attempts, using Repair etc I manage to get the computer started, but then Avast free V8 is back again, along with the warning that the Pro version has expired!
I'm wondering if thie following windows update is what's causing your problem ???
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2823324
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

Mellabella

  • Guest
Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #20 on: April 15, 2013, 05:49:28 PM »
Quote: I'm wondering if the following windows update is what's causing your problem
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2823324

I've checked through the list of updates very carefully and don't think I've got that one installed, so that can't be the cause. At the moment I've got both windows adn Reader updates due to be installed, but because I can't re-boot without a load of problems I don't dare install them.

lnjr

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Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #21 on: April 15, 2013, 11:56:59 PM »
When looking at the updates that you have installed it should have a date of around 4/10/13 (at least that is when I installed it on my pc)


I did read the information at that link and I can see where that may be causing the issue for some of us but why not everyone who is running windows?  I checked and I installed that update on 4/10/13 and I did not have my problem until 4/13/13.  At least MS has removed the download links for that update while investigating and it does state to uninstall that update if it has been installed (maybe I should uninstall that update - just to be on the safe side --- so that the problem does not start up again on me too).

If you don't have that update installed on your pc maybe you could try following the steps for the complete uninstall in safe mode and then try installing version 7 which can be found at http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/13608/  (unless of course you can't even restart in safe mode without all sorts of problems).

Mellabella

  • Guest
Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #22 on: April 16, 2013, 10:15:07 AM »
I don't have that update, because I haven't been able to install the latest Windows updates. Can download them, but then have to re-boot to complete the installation and that's impossible to do in the normal way.
Can start in safe mode and have uninstalled and re-installed Avast numerous times, but with all the problems that come with the re-boot (black screen with cursor) version 8 and the pro warnings are back again when I finally manage to start.
These problems began in March when I changed from Avast free 7 to Avast free 8.
Used the link to Avast V7 that you gave, but despite what I mark only V8 downloads!
I HATE COMPUTERS........

rbruce1314

  • Guest
Re: How to stop Avast free version updating to Pro version automatically?
« Reply #23 on: April 21, 2013, 07:29:50 PM »
Unlike most of the posters here, I'm not an avast "FAN", just a user for the past three years.
I too have had this problem and done everything mentioned above, as in 'FULL uninstall' etc., then fresh install from scratch to get back to the free version. It worked.......

....for ten days, then just like the rest of those above, back came the 'upgraded to pro/trial/expired' message and all that junk.

BUT, being just a user, not a 'fan' I'm not going to fiddle-faddle about every few days or whenever avast feels like making me a pro, I'm just going to go back to AVG which I used for years till it got too slow.

But the point of this post and what worries me most, is that avast themselves MUST be aware of the problem. So either they won't admit to there being a problem, which does not inspire confidence, or it's a deliberate ploy to fool some free users into going pro, which is totally unprofessional. Meaning that I've lost trust with the company as a whole and won't be trying to fix it - and having lost confidence I'm also going to remove it from my Android because I've lost trust altogether.

Nice one avast - I'll get my coat and close the door as I leave. What a shame: it was so good until a few weeks ago..... :(  :-\


EDIT: I've just remembered that the first time it happened was immediately after I downloaded a program via CNET: despite my using 'custom install and refusing all the toolbars, extra programs etc., I got infected with surplus programs, avast did the above AND malwarebytes got disabled. Took over two hours to restore all to normal: The program was 'miditzer', available only from CNET and the developers are trusted and do not add malware or additional stuff to their own program.
I thought it was just coincidence (and still do.....) but if anyone else has had the 'pro' message after using CNET it may just be an answer and something avast can investigate......
« Last Edit: April 21, 2013, 08:04:06 PM by rbruce1314 »

supremebro

  • Guest
I am having the same problem as well. I have had to uninstall Avast four times in the last three weeks. My paid version expired last month, then i went back to the free version. But the problem is, it keeps going back to the expired version. When it does, I uninstall completely and install the free version. I even went so far as making a new account.

No matter what i do, it goes back to the expired paid version. I have been a fan and user of Avast for the past three years. Considered it the best. But this issue is getting on my nerves, and I'm looking at other programs for the first time in three years.

This is ridiculous.

Offline DJBone

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This Bug should be resolved with the latest version 8.0.1488 (released yesterday): http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=122948.0

DJBone
Win10 x64, APS (always latest version)
Avast Mobile Security (always latest version)

fernman

  • Guest
Exactly the same problem here, but only on my desktop pc and not on my netbook, both of which have Avast Free installed, which I update regularly.

What no-one else has mentioned, unless I have missed it, is that if you open the Avast interface, only the Scan can be used. If you click on any of the other features, Software Updater, Safezone, Browser Cleanup and Firewall, a popup says "This component is not available".

So, I am assuming the antivirus part of the software is still protecting my machine as it should, and I'm going to sit back and wait for Avast to sort it out in due course. I'm certainly not going to start fiddling about uninstalling and reinstalling the program, it's not my problem!