Scan from explorer & other problems

[Riley7]

I just installed Avast Free 2014 last night, I think I should have waited longer before updating.

Since the clean install, I have had all my shortcuts break (now fixed), and now the explorer scan don't work. It keeps creating custom scans that don't work. They are all named "????" and cannot be deleted. I get a scanning box that is blank. See the attachment.
There have been browser problems also. Currently a scan is running that I did not start and is not scheduled. I cannot seem to stop it.

Any suggestions? This is getting irritating and I am considering either going back to the previous Avast version or using a different antivirus program.

Op sys is Win XP, sp3 fully patched.

Thanks.

[Asyn]

1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions..!!)
3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[Riley7]

That is how installed Avast 24 hours ago. I don't understand how that will cure the problem.

[Asyn]

- Which version of avast! Free..??
- Other security related software installed..??
- Which AV(s) did you use before avast!..??

[Riley7]

I installed Avast free from the same link you provided. I was using Avast free v8 before this install.
I used Avira before that, but Avast had been working fine for over a year.

Other security programs are Malwarebytes free (on demand only).

[Asyn]

I used Avira before that, but Avast had been working fine for over a year.

First, be sure to get rid of all remnants of your prior installed AVs.
-> http://www.avira.com/en/support-for-home-knowledgebase-detail/kbid/902

When done, follow the instructions:
1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions..!!)
3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[Riley7]

Before I originally installed Avast, I followed that procedure to remove Avira.

Avast 9 worked ok for a short while before the problems started.

Do you still think doing as you suggested will fix the problems?

[Andrey,pro]

Hello Riley7,

I saw such type of problem, uninstall avast using Asyn's instruction, but delete manually AVAST Software folder, which located in windows xp in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\ after runing avast uninstall utility:

1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions..!!)
3. Manually delete AVAST Software folder, which located in windows xp in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\
4. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
5. Reboot.

[Asyn]

Do you still think doing as you suggested will fix the problems?

Well, you've to try it first.
Incorporate the point from Andrey and if it shouldn't work we'll dig deeper.

[Riley7]

I did another clean install and it seems to be ok, so far.

Thank you both for the help.

[Asyn]

You're welcome.