ok
so ive done the same as Chris.
clean remove avast premier in safe mode for the 6th time in 2 days.
loaded 19.1.2360 free
windows firewall on
started vpn and loads and runs perfectly as before with no crashes.
avast is now asking to update to latest 19.2.2364
i will now update to this as if what has been said and it is a firewall issue it should not conflict as im now using the free version and not premier.
EDIT:
updated to 19.2.2364 on avast free and no complications. nord vpn now loaded and running.
It's not exactly what I've done .
I did not install the free version, but simply uninstalled the firewall shield on AIS.
It's true that now for AIS, there's not much difference between it and free version anymore, but you could have kept Avast premier with what you don't have with free :
- Sandbox
- Passive mode
- Real site (I have uninstalled too)
- Ransonware
-
Firewall- Antispam
- Webcam shield (premium)
-
Automatic Software updater (premium)
- Data shredder (premium)