Avast! Free Has Messsed Up My Computer

[essexboy]

OK use the ones in red they are a direct download

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 Ok, I'll give this a try. : )

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 HA-ha! This one worked! Running a defgrag right now!!!!  THANKS ESSEXBOY!!!!

[schmidthouse]

 You come through again, essexboy.  I am indebted to you for all of your help, sir. 

I downloaded the Purans, but it was blocked, saying "May contain a virus or spyware". : (

Weird, I use Puran Defrag, though mine is probably an old version, 7.7 - though on checking it tels me I have the latest version. And I have used today, directly after my drive imaging backup, not a peep out of avast. Probably as essexboy said the installation file may come bundled with a PUP, but the program itself hasn't changed. program

Yes, I can confirm the version, I also use Puran on my xp. It's a good piece of software. Unfortunate though, that there is added crap in the installer.

edit: How about CCleaner while we're at it.

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  Yes, it is too bad that these links they give the poor person who can't afford anything but a"Free Download" filled with a virus or malware.   

[DavidR]

  Yes, it is too bad that these links they give the poor person who can't afford anything but a"Free Download" filled with a virus or malware.   

Generally they aren't viruses or malware but PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs), these seek to give you something (extra information, deals, etc. etc.).

This comes at a price of gathering information (usually anonymous) on your browsing habits/searches (marketing information) that they can either sell or use to serve up relevant adverts.

[bob3160]

Unchecky will certainly help you avoid many of these unwanted "add-ons".
Always choosing custom install will also go a long way toward spotting these unwanted items and, preventing
their installation.

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 Thanks, Bob.  I have learned SO much here just in the past week it's unbelievable. Programs to help protect and clean up our PC and everything.  I downloaded the Unchecky upon essexboy's providing the link.  Too many times have I downloaded "Google Chrome" (which I do not want) unknowingly or out of my control, not to mention all the other programs that are hidden when downloading.  I'd never so much as heard of "Unchecky" before! 

[bob3160]

Thanks, Bob.  I have learned SO much here just in the past week it's unbelievable. Programs to help protect and clean up our PC and everything.  I downloaded the Unchecky upon essexboy's providing the link.  Too many times have I downloaded "Google Chrome" (which I do not want) unknowingly or out of my control, not to mention all the other programs that are hidden when downloading.  I'd never so much as heard of "Unchecky" before!

My pleasure. All of us here enjoy helping those that need and want help. It's one of the reasons that brought me to this forum back in 2004.
Time sure does fly. Attend one of my presentations, you may learn a lot more.

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 I think that MAYBE I have found part of the problem as to why my PC is moving very slowly.

When I did the Service pack 3 installment here on my XP, I downloaded a long list of things that now appear in my Programs, under Control Panel.  Here is a list of 5 pages of a portion of what was loaded onto the PC: 

 

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   The experts here would know more about this than I ever would. I was just hoping that maybe this was causing some problems I seem to still be having that didn't seem to start until I reinstalled Avast and the Service Pack 3.  Please forgive me, because I don't mean this to sound like I am complaining, as I am GRATEFUL to those of you who helped me with the Service pack 3, and the re installation of Avast Free.   

 Also, all the things listed that were loaded back in January this year came when I did a free trial of AVG anti virus.