Author Topic: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?  (Read 7900 times)

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Offline Anil00

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Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« on: August 02, 2019, 07:02:52 PM »
I have an old Vista laptop that I need to have virus protection for - because Microsoft Security has ended for Vista.
I thought Avast Free was free? It has been warning me that my free license is expired and my computer "is in danger".
Even the Avast Uninstaller does not work.
Can anyone please help?

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W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
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Offline Anil00

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2019, 08:10:29 PM »
When I select the free antivirus upgrade option, a popup appears for Avast Internet Security, 60 day trial.
see attachment.
When I click No Thanks, Avast exits without renewing my license.


Offline Asyn

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2019, 08:12:54 PM »
Which version of Avast Free..?
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

Offline kwc813

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2019, 11:05:00 PM »
Have you re-downloaded the most current Avast?  Probably yes.  Registering only means sending them your email address.  I've never had protection ever stopped, but maybe they do.  I've used Avast for many years because I'm a builder, and it's a decent AV program provided by a marketing company.  Never forget that.  The last time I downloaded it, it didn't even prompt me to register it which is why I asked that question first.  The free program is equal to the paid program for AV protection.  If you're not covered with Avast then Windows Defender will be active.  Go to Task Manager and see if Avast is running.  If so, then all you have to do is ignore the ads from them.  If not, then search online on how to remove it completely and then re-download and install...or go with AVG Free, or McAfee, or a dozen others that do the same things and let them just override Avast.

Offline bob3160

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2019, 11:34:50 PM »
When I select the free antivirus upgrade option, a popup appears for Avast Internet Security, 60 day trial.
see attachment.
When I click No Thanks, Avast exits without renewing my license.
There isn't any force. Just select the No Thank you option.
More detail here,
https://youtu.be/Gdf-U45nrQc
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

Offline DavidR

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2019, 11:45:13 PM »
@  kwc813
If you read the OPs post he is using an old Vista laptop (so some of your suggestions won't work).  That precludes him downloading the latest avast version as support for XP/Vista stopped as at avast 18.8.  Even then there is a possibility as in my XP system that 18.8 doesn't work well at all, hence I have 18.5 on the XP system.

AVG is owned by Avast Software, so no doubt the case would be very similar.

@  Anil00
To help you further we really need to know what version you are using right now ?
User Interfaces and Options would differ.

On my XP system with 18.5 if I click the Upgrade button on the Main UI window, it does give me options.  However the avast free option is inert.  You effectively have to back out using the X button top right of any window displayed. 

You would get these additional options after opting for No Thanks.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline Anil00

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2019, 04:00:40 AM »
My Avast version is 18.8.2356

Please see attachment for settings screenshot

Basically it wants me to input my credit card for a 60 day trial.

Only then will it renew my 'free' license.
« Last Edit: August 03, 2019, 04:04:17 AM by Anil00 »

Offline DavidR

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2019, 09:59:14 AM »
My Avast version is 18.8.2356

Please see attachment for settings screenshot

Basically it wants me to input my credit card for a 60 day trial.

Only then will it renew my 'free' license.

Don't go down that route, you will end up with the free trial of AIS.

How long have you got to go on your current free license ?

If it is less than 12 days the interface should change to allow for renewing that Avast Free license (not a 60 day trial of AIS at the end of which payment would be taken).

Right click avast tray icon and select Registration information, what do you see there ?
If the license is still valid all you would see if an Upgrade now option.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline Anil00

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2019, 07:11:44 PM »
"How long have you got to go on your current free license ?"

As I mentioned in my original post, it is already expired.

It expired on July 20.

see screenshot.


Offline Anil00

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2019, 07:19:25 PM »
also see scrreenshot forcing the trial. Once you click the "Start Free Trial" button, it takes you to checkout and you cannot close the window - even if you remove it from your cart.
The only way is to launch Task Manager and kill the Avast Application.
This is behaving like malware itself.

Offline DavidR

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2019, 07:36:33 PM »
That is even stranger, as 10 days expiry it is meant to reactivate.  So there is something else going on here, what is beyond me.  You could also try an Avast Repair.

Are you using the Activate button on the left of the Screen ?

I suspect that you are using one of these, the Resolve or the Reactivate buttons. Most probably the Reactivate button given the wording 'Reactivate it now by selecting the right level of protection for the upcoming year.'  That would throw you into the screen you posted earlier, leading you into the 60 day free trial of AIS.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline Anil00

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2019, 08:04:41 PM »
"Are you using the Activate button on the left of the Screen ?"

Yes, I have tried that also.
I wish someone from Avast would help.

Offline bob3160

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #13 on: August 03, 2019, 08:11:47 PM »
"Are you using the Activate button on the left of the Screen ?"

Yes, I have tried that also.
I wish someone from Avast would help.
Did you watch the video which points out the pitfalls?
https://youtu.be/Gdf-U45nrQc

When it states free trial, you're not renewing the free version.
When it asks for your Credit Card, you aren't renewing the free version.
Free Security Seminar: https://bit.ly/bobg2023  -  Important: http://www.organdonor.gov/ -- My Web Site: http://bob3160.strikingly.com/ - Win 11 Pro v22H2 64bit, 16 Gig Ram, 1TB SSD, Avast Free 23.5.6066, How to Successfully Install Avast http://goo.gl/VLXdeRepair & Clean Install https://goo.gl/t7aJGq -- My Online Activity https://bit.ly/BobGInternet

Offline Anil00

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Re: Why is Avast Free Antivirus forcing me to upgrade to paid?
« Reply #14 on: August 03, 2019, 08:36:09 PM »
"Did you watch the video which points out the pitfalls?"

I did watch your video. The product I am using is Avast Free Antivirus.
Clicking Activate or Reactivate does not renew the license even after closing subsequent screens.
Unlike your video. You may be using an earlier version. I am on 18.8.2356


@Bob3160 What tool did you use to make your video? it nicely captures your screens and clicks.
« Last Edit: August 03, 2019, 08:47:07 PM by Anil00 »