Avast Free Stream Filter Driver aswstm.sys Causing BSOD on Windows 10

[Wittmann]

I have been having frequent BSOD's while browsing. Using Whocrashed, the following result was obtained.
I have located this driver on my Windows list but cannot update the driver or delete it.

Your comments or solution (driver update or deletion) are urgently required, otherwise I will have no option but to uninstall my Avast and use either Windows Defender or an alternative AV.

Whocrashed conclusion -

On Mon 22/06/2020 16:22:21 your computer crashed or a problem was reported
crash dump file: C:\WINDOWS\MEMORY.DMP
This was probably caused by the following module: aswstm.sys (aswStm+0x120E5)
Bugcheck code: 0xD1 (0x8, 0x2, 0x0, 0xFFFFF80467F2A528)
Error: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
file path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\aswstm.sys
product: Avast Antivirus
company: AVAST Software
description: Avast Stream Filter
Bug check description: This indicates that a kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory at a process IRQL that was too high.
This bug check belongs to the crash dump test that you have performed with WhoCrashed or other software. It means that a crash dump file was properly written out.

A third party driver has been identified to be causing system crashes on your computer. It is strongly suggested that you check for updates for these drivers on their company websites.
aswstm.sys (Avast Stream Filter, AVAST Software)

[Asyn]

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

[Wittmann]

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

Avast free - program version 20.4.2410 - build 20.4.5312.580
OS = Windows 10 - 64 bit - build 18363.900
Other security software - Sandboxie, ZoneAlarm firewall, Malwarebytes offline, Superantispyware offline,
Emsisoft Emergency Kit offline, Spywareblaster offline, AdwCleaner offline.
Original AV as purchased - McAfee - all uninstalled using McAfee uninstaller - no records left on PC.

[Asyn]

Other security software - Sandboxie, ZoneAlarm firewall, Malwarebytes offline, Superantispyware offline,
Emsisoft Emergency Kit offline, Spywareblaster offline, AdwCleaner offline.

Most probably a conflict with one of your many tools...

I'd suggest to get rid of Malwarebytes, Superantispyware and Spywareblaster.

[Wittmann]

Other security software - Sandboxie, ZoneAlarm firewall, Malwarebytes offline, Superantispyware offline,
Emsisoft Emergency Kit offline, Spywareblaster offline, AdwCleaner offline.

Most probably a conflict with one of your many tools...

I'd suggest to get rid of Malwarebytes, Superantispyware and Spywareblaster.

I have had those programs for many years using my old XP set with no problems.
Only with Windows 10 has this conflict with Avast stream filter driver aswstm.sys occurred - it obviously conflicts with Windows 10 netio.sys driver.
as does McAfee, Malwarebytes, AVG and ZoneAlarm AV's when run online.

[Asyn]

I have had those programs for many years using my old XP set with no problems.

Well, times/things change. You can't compare XP with W10, they're worlds apart.

[Wittmann]

I have had those programs for many years using my old XP set with no problems.

Well, times/things change. You can't compare XP with W10, they're worlds apart.

I agree XP and Win 10 certainly are wolds apart in terms of this problem - XP never included driver netio.sys and therefore no conflict with Avast AV.
Whereas Win 10 does include driver netio.sys and does conflict with Avast driver aswstm.sys and bingo we get an occasional BSOD.

[Wittmann]

Other security software - Sandboxie, ZoneAlarm firewall, Malwarebytes offline, Superantispyware offline,
Emsisoft Emergency Kit offline, Spywareblaster offline, AdwCleaner offline.

Most probably a conflict with one of your many tools...

I'd suggest to get rid of Malwarebytes, Superantispyware and Spywareblaster.

Since all the other security programs concerned except Spywareblaster are inactive desktop icons - all manually activated only when the Internet is shut down, there can be no conflict with running programs.
So I most certainly will keep them.