Cannot open Avast Free Antivirus

[Halina Mullion]

I am having problems opening Avast Free Antivirus. After several months of running Avast without any issue I find I cannot open the program - the Avast icon appears in the system tray but as soon as I mouse over it, it disappears before I can click it (and stays disappeared until a reboot). When I try to uninstall (via Settings, Apps & Features) I get a box entitled "Setup is already running" with the option to click a View Log button (which when clicked is empty). I am using Windows 10. If anyone can help I would be most grateful.

[Asyn]

- Which version of Avast Free..?
- OS..? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP/Build..?)
- Other security related software installed..?
- Which AV(s) did you use before Avast..?

[Halina Mullion]

Many thanks for reply. Answers to your queries (as best as I can):
-I don't know which version of Avast Free but it was downloaded in late July 2018
-Microsoft 10, 64 bit, x64-based processor, not sure what is SP/Build?
-McAfee Web Advisor is present (as it was claimed not to interfere with antivirus software)
-it was running a 30 day trial version of McAfee which I uninstalled near the end of the trial period before installing Avast.
The laptop is a new Dell Inspiron purchased in early July so does not have a long history of previous antivirus software installations.

[Asyn]

First, be sure to get rid of all remnants of your prior installed AV(s)..!!
-> https://support.avast.com/article/11/

Then:
1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions..!!)
3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[bob3160]

How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXde

[Halina Mullion]

Asyn - I followed your instructions to remove previous AVs (only one present was McAfee Web Advisor which I removed). Then I downloaded Avast Free Antivirus but when I tried to install it I got a box entitled AvastUI with the message "Failed to load language dll [1033\UILangRes.dll]". Clicking OK the box disappeared but nothing else happened.

[Asyn]

Unfortunately, there's no additional support (Email/Phone/Chat) for Avast Free.

[Duch]

ok then u can try install from online installer https://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

[Halina Mullion]

Curiously, Avast Free Antivirus is now working properly again following an automatic Windows 10 update. After rebooting following the update I was floored to see Avast open and working. I ran a Smart Scan and it appears to be working ok. I am tempted to remove it however and load AVG instead (which I used for many years on my old laptop without problems) but am loath to in case there are issue uninstalling it..

Thanks to all who made suggestions especially Asyn.

[bob3160]

Curiously, Avast Free Antivirus is now working properly again following an automatic Windows 10 update. After rebooting following the update I was floored to see Avast open and working. I ran a Smart Scan and it appears to be working ok. I am tempted to remove it however and load AVG instead (which I used for many years on my old laptop without problems) but am loath to in case there are issue uninstalling it..

Thanks to all who made suggestions especially Asyn.

You may not be aware that Avast purchased AVG some years ago. Basically the difference between Avast and AVG is the User Interface.
The protection is pretty much the same, a marriage of the best parts of both.

[Asyn]

Thanks to all who made suggestions especially Asyn.

You're welcome.