I'm running the latest version of Avast Premium Security on a Windows 7 laptop with a broadband Ethernet connection. I am also one of the many that cannot select a private network profile within the Avast firewall component UI. This has been going on since February-March of this year, after Avast changed the program and left this issue ignored. Even though I'm on a home network my pc is now always detected and set as Public by the Avast software. Moving the arrow option from Public to Private no longer works, as the sliders flips back to Public instantaneously. And trying to change the network profiles in the other firewall menu pull down option doesn't register. The Geek Area interface doesn't offer a solution either.
As of this week, my issue has been in the hands of 2 senior technicians as well as escalations to the development team. Earlier this year, my first escalation was ultimately ignored......back and forth emails every 24-72 hours were clearly unproductive and outright frustrating. Even today I cannot get a phone call or remote support session to get to the bottom of this common glitch. I have sent in a bunch of support file IDs and still no answer. A few months ago, I called in complaining about this network profile issue and one rep actually admitted that it was a UI glitch in the software and that a short wait period was needed to send out a patched release. At least I was given honesty at that time and not a procrastinating, pass the buck maneuver. But hey, it's now many months later and no fix. The release notes of the latest version state than an improvement was made in the firewall setting options.....however, I'm still not seeing it.
Before Bob and the other cookie cutter replies come in, here is a quick rundown of what's been tried: Numerous full Clean uninstalls and reinstalls, deleted network profiles, turned off Windows Firewall and Defender, updated router firmware to ensure no holes/issues in Avast network scans, and yes thousands of reboots. Please note that I also tried many times to change my network category in the Windows registry, but the Avast software reverts the value back to zero. And in the Network and Sharing Center, you're also unable to change the network from Public....Home and Work are blocked by UAC icons and don't change even if you click them.
Any valuable feedback is appreciated. Is it unfixable on my end, and will Avast finally address and patch this?