I cannot get as far as using the clear function because when I go to control panel and try to uninstall the Avast app I get a message saying that 'setup is already running'. It seems I cannot uninstall Avast this way - how else can I do it ?
The stand alone avastclear.exe tool is specifically for instances where you can't use the Control Panel uninstall route.
Should I consider an app like Revo to try to uninstall it ?
You shouldn't need to and it may not do as good a job as one from Avast, it may also come into conflict with the avast self-defence module, if avast is still running.
Did you download it (if not see below) ?
Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, avastclear.exe
http://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avastclear.exe and save it to your HDD.
- 1. Now uninstall avast! - using add remove programs/Programs & Features, if you can't do that start from the next step, reboot.
- 2. run the avast! Uninstall Utility, it will request it be run from safe mode (and will handle the boot into safe mode), once complete reboot into normal mode.
- 3. install the latest version, reboot.