@ Alikhan - That's the problem, it won't allow you to do that in version 9. there are no options highlighted to allow you to stop the service anymore.
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@ Cluster-Lizard - Windows already says it's "off" in the security center. I have never tried MSE before but I suppose it's worth a shot.
For almost 20 years now all I have EVER recommended to my customers is Avast! There certainly have been some major changes in their software since then!
I have noticed they offer less protection today in the free edition and it has become such a memory hog as well, one of my biggest problems with it, and now they lock you out of any option to even shut down their services.
You wouldn't believe how many complaints from MY customers I have recently gotten after they installed Avast on their own! The constant pop-ups, sounds and default setting are horrible for the average user and most of them are afraid to go in and start changing the settings!
Avast is still a great product but maybe it's time to start looking for something else to recommend.
It's problems like this, and the major security issues, viruses, malware, trojans, etc that prevents me from using a windows product online! I've used various Linux distributions for many years on my own PCs and have never once used any antivirus software and have never had one single problem. But then again, I have made quite a bit of money off of fixing windows problems over the years!!!
Thanks to you both!!!
~gm66