Problem:After I updated to Avast Free v17.9.2322, the native Windows copy function, on occasion, behaves erratically.
It is important to note that this does not happen all the time. Most copy operations are successful. Based on my testing, my conclusion is that Avast Free v17.9.2322 is causing the problem.
Version Info:OS: Windows XP Professional SP3 Build 2600 (32-bit)
Avast Free version: 17.9.2322
Avast components installed: Only two components are installed, the File Shield and the Web Shield
Problem Description:When I try to copy from one folder (local) to another folder (local), the copy process seems to hang up.
It is important to note that this does not happen all the time. Most copy operations are successful. I am unable to figure out why it is happening or under what conditions it is happening.
The behaviour of copy is erratic and unpredictable.
After I copied the files, I waited for three or four minutes, but nothing happens. I am unable to kill the copy process from the Task Manager. I am unable to shut down the computer.
I hard rebooted the computer by pressing the Power button for 10 seconds.
Next, I went to a Windows 10 computer on the LAN. I used the Windows 10 computer to do the copy operation. The Windows 10 computer has Windows Defender installed (Avast is not installed on this computer). The drive on the Windows XP computer is accessible on the Windows 10 computer (I use mapped network drives). I opened a command prompt window on the Windows 10 computer, then used "copy" to copy the files. The exact same copy operation which had earlier failed now succeeds.
Screenshots of Error 1 (HTM file):A directory listing of the source folder before I copied:
After I copied, the copy operation seems to "hang":
The exact same copy operation succeeds when I access the computer from a Windows 10 computer on the LAN (I am using mapped network drives):
Screenshots of Error 2 (HTM file):A directory listing of the source folder before I copied:
After I copied, the copy operation seems to "hang":
The exact same copy operation succeeds when I access the computer from a Windows 10 computer on the LAN (I am using mapped network drives):
Screenshots of Error 3 (EXE file):This EXE file is the installer for FileASSASSIN from Malwarebytes and can be downloaded here:
https://www.malwarebytes.com/fileassassin/A directory listing of the source folder before I copied:
After I copied, the copy operation seems to "hang":
The exact same copy operation succeeds when I access the computer from a Windows 10 computer on the LAN (I am using mapped network drives):
Screenshot of Version Info:Other Info:Here's what else I had tried:
1. I tried the teracopy program to do the same copy operations. I was successful. The built-in Windows copy failed, but teracopy was successful.
2. I disabled Avast permanently using the System Tray icon (Avast shields control -> Disable permanently). Surprisingly, the problem persists.
3. I booted into Safe Mode and tried the exact same copy operations. I was successful.
4. I uninstalled Avast using Revo Uninstaller. I tried the exact same copy operations. I was successful.
5. The files are all clean. I scanned every file used in testing with virustotal.com. No problems were reported.