Since this is a proposed discussion on the sequence published above, there's something I'd like to bring up...
Have you personally taken apart (or seen the source for) and vetted that 3rd party cleaner tool ("Rejzors Uninstall Utility") you're recommending?
Do you know for a fact that Avast's own uninstaller doesn't remove everything necessary to effect a full reinstallation? What, EXACTLY, does Rejzors Uninstall Utility remove that Avast's own cleaner tool does not?
From what I gather, Rejzors Uninstall Utility was written by a well-meaning member here, and in all likelihood is benign and helpful, but I can't KNOW that without doing more work - and I suspect you can't either. I mean no disrespect, but I should think anyone who's concerned about security should ALWAYS question the advice to run a 3rd party utility from another web site.
Simple question that examines the motivation of the author: If it's legit, why not post a list of things Avast missed to help the user clean up himself, and to help Avast improve their own cleaner tool - instead of publishing an extra "cleaner" tool?
Before anyone flames me for questioning something that's "unquestionable", I'd like to mention that I'm against running ANY kind of "cleaner" tool. I'm of the opinions that it's all too easy to dig a hole in one's security deeper, and if the Avast folks don't think it needs to be removed, then maybe they know what they're doing and there's no reason to remove it.
FYI, I've been through an uninstall / reinstall recently (yesterday), and the problem I was having where settings would not stick was solved by doing so - all without running Rejzors Uninstall Utility.
-Noel
Edit: Better wording
Can't say I have not had same thought so guess folks could use that part as "optional".
Another suggestion from "me" (as opposed to the cut-n-paste I did above) is to use CCleaner after the uninstall.
I personally have used this for many-many-many years and is the only cleaner I'd trust.
I am like most folks and never think using a reg cleaner or file cleaner is good.....causes more problems than fixes.
However, I've found this a very reliable tool and with a lot of pedigree.
After install I'd open and run the "Windows", "Application" tab analyze, then run cleaner.
I'd then selection the Registry item to left and run the Scan for Issues & Fix Selected Issues.
Note, it allows you to backup the registry items it is cleaning.....always a good thing to do.
http://www.piriform.com/For me my AV/Malware protection strategy on my personal PCs is:
Avast Free
MalwareBytes {Yes, I run the active shield and daily scan, does not conflict with Avast)
CCleaner {I right click daily on Recycle Bin & Hit run....cleans all those nasty temp files, etc....virus haven}
CryptoPrevent (Ran this util once to change Group Policy to help with CryptoLock}
As far as commenting on the 2nd uninstaller......I won't blast you for your opinion but many very senior folks have use it in this forum and by the nature of this forum there has to be a level of trust. For me, I'm still on Avast V8....tried V9 on one PC and rolled back to V8 because clearly wasn't ready for prime time. I've found that major code rewrites of complex programs take 6-9 months to get stable. While there are a lot of great people on the forum (and in BETA) that have time to do the testing I do not...don't want to be on bleeding edge....I rely on using my PCs daily and their downtime would kill me. Anyway, I digress. My point is the nature of how invasive the suggestions in this forum can be (great example is the virus removal tools) that there has to be some level of trust. With that said, I do agree that a "member's" code should really be questioned.....more so, why Avast Team doesn't quickly incorporate (if truly needed) into their avastclear. All I can say it that if you truly need a "totally" clean install this is one more tool in the war chest.
