NOT Win 8 but 7
Win 7 64-bit Ultimate, Avast Internet Security (paid version) 2014.9.0.2018
I have been running Avast on this system without problems for months. Apart from the latest batch of Windows updates on 14th May 2014, there have been no significant changes to my system.
However, Avast has begun "hanging", without warning. This shows itself thus:-
1) A mouse over on the tray icon would normally pop up a blue "all is ok" message, but this no longer happens. Right click on the icon to bring up Avast options doesn't work, so I cannot turn shields off or bring up the UI.
2) Although all tests tell me I am internet-connected, browsers etc will not connect to sites. Another machine, also running this version of Avast on Win 7 Home, has no problem connecting. Obviously traffic goes through Avast, and cannot do so if the program is hung.
3) Windows Explorer seems to stop working, and soft restart is not possible, so I then have to power off the machine.
I have run an Avast repair, and removed a couple of programs that might have been problematic (although they have coexisted for at least a year). Although Avast runs OK after restart, after a while, and independently of anything else, apparently, it again hangs. Windows Explorer seems to stop working, and starting any programs also causes a hang.
I have also run scans with Avast and Malwarebytes plus Windows MSRT, which show no problems. There are no Avast errors that I can see in the Event Log. I have also run all hardware tests and the system passes these.
Interestingly, this has just happened to me again. Having restarted system, I note the following about Avast:-
a) The animated icon is at present working, but mouseover DOES NOT show the blue “everything OK” popup but a plain text box saying “Avast!Antivirus:your system is secured”.
b) Right click the icon and nothing happens.
c) However, running the Avast UI from the desktop shows the full Avast UI screen.
I really have no idea what to do next, other than clear the whole thing out and reinstall Avast Internet Security from scratch, then reinsert my paid licence key.
Any suggestions welcome.
UPDATE
I have removed and reinstalled Avast (minus a lot of the extras like Sandbox etc.) and so far, it is working.