Author Topic: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines  (Read 6270 times)

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Offline bob3160

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Re: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines
« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2020, 12:44:35 AM »
I apologize for my attitude but I use to recommend Avast to people and with Avast in the news recently about selling browser links to a company which they had part ownership in I no longer recommend Avast to anyone.

When I discovered Avast on these computers I uninstalled it. I used various means including the official antivirus removal tool yet extensions from the antivirus maker which was installed during the original installation continues to show up repeatedly in Google Chrome. This is happening even after wiping Chrome out of the computer and reinstalling it. That behaviour of the extension could be viral.

Chrome sync is not enabled in Chrome.
I suggest you read all of the information about Avast's data sharing. What was shared was anonymised so it didn't identify you.
Again it's your decision. If syncing is turned off in Chrome and you've removed the extensions, then there is no way that they will still be there or com back.


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Offline pcguy

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Re: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines
« Reply #16 on: February 18, 2020, 02:21:42 AM »
I have solved this issue.

Even though Avast was uninstalled via the Windows10 Apps option on all 4 of these computers this behaviour continued to exist on all 4 computers. I downloaded the free installer for Avast and UNCHECKED every item except the two offenders Avast SafePrice and Avast OnLine Security. I rebooted the computer. I then opened up Avast and went into its configuration screen and unchecked Avast SafePrice and Avast OnLine Security. I then deleted UserData folder for the Chrome installation, opened up Chrome and waited. Neither extension was being installed automatically. I then went into the Control Panel and uninstalled Avast completely.

Now I have to go through this same process 3 more times. I should never have had to spend countless hours trying to figure out what was going on. Running AvastClear should of removed any remains. It clearly did not and I only happen to discover this issue since one computer had an issue with Chrome requiring a uninstall and reinstall of Chrome. Only then did I discover the automatic installation of extensions I had told Chrome previously to remove.


Offline bob3160

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Re: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines
« Reply #17 on: February 18, 2020, 05:28:16 AM »
Apparently following instructions isn't easy.
Sorry I can't make things any clearer.
Good luck
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Offline pcguy

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Re: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines
« Reply #18 on: February 22, 2020, 10:09:27 PM »
In Windows10 when one uses the Apps option in settings and uses the Uninstall option for an application one assumes that the process will remove whatever that application installed on your computer. The same applies when one boots into safe mode and uses that application's official removal tool. You assume all components have been removed including extensions for Chrome browsers. Apparently, with Avast one can not assume all traces of the product are gone and instead one has to jump through hoops prior to using any of these uninstall procedures. BTW There was absolutely NO syncing on any of these 4 computers in Chrome.
« Last Edit: February 22, 2020, 10:11:34 PM by pcguy »

Offline bob3160

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Re: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines
« Reply #19 on: February 22, 2020, 10:43:28 PM »
In Windows10 when one uses the Apps option in settings and uses the Uninstall option for an application one assumes that the process will remove whatever that application installed on your computer. The same applies when one boots into safe mode and uses that application's official removal tool. You assume all components have been removed including extensions for Chrome browsers. Apparently, with Avast one can not assume all traces of the product are gone and instead one has to jump through hoops prior to using any of these uninstall procedures. BTW There was absolutely NO syncing on any of these 4 computers in Chrome.
One should never assume. Removing the program and removing extensions from a browser are two completely different operations.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines
« Reply #20 on: February 22, 2020, 10:46:14 PM »
If you didn't sync your Google account, you'll also need to remove these Extensions from each of the
computers and devices where you installed those extensions.
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Offline Michael2122

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Re: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines
« Reply #21 on: December 20, 2020, 01:27:49 AM »
I don't know if it's bad form to necro a thread like this, but I feel obligated to point out for future readers that pcguy is correct and bob is not. I have had avast uninstalled for a long time, I used the avastclear program to "completely" remove it and I removed the extensions from chrome, and yet somehow when I just installed Vivaldi (another chromium browser) on my computer, even though *I did not sync it with anything*, as in it is literally a fresh install with no bookmarks, extensions, settings or anything else from any other browser, and I've never used Vivaldi before... somehow Avast Online Security and Avast SafePrice were installed on it. None of the other programs or extensions on my computer did that, this type of behavior is straight up malware.

Offline bob3160

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Re: Nuke all traces of Avast and its plugins from Windows10 machines
« Reply #22 on: December 20, 2020, 01:29:46 PM »
I don't know if it's bad form to necro a thread like this, but I feel obligated to point out for future readers that pcguy is correct and bob is not. I have had avast uninstalled for a long time, I used the avastclear program to "completely" remove it and I removed the extensions from chrome, and yet somehow when I just installed Vivaldi (another chromium browser) on my computer, even though *I did not sync it with anything*, as in it is literally a fresh install with no bookmarks, extensions, settings or anything else from any other browser, and I've never used Vivaldi before... somehow Avast Online Security and Avast SafePrice were installed on it. None of the other programs or extensions on my computer did that, this type of behavior is straight up malware.
I don't agree with your assumption, but you have your right to own opinion.
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