Author Topic: New beta version 20.7.2422  (Read 19648 times)

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Offline Hried

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #30 on: August 19, 2020, 04:53:07 PM »
On an unrelated note - maybe you have noticed that starting from 20.7, Avast stores most of its configuration settings (previously in avast5.ini / settings.ini) in registry. This is due to performance considerations of the ever increasing amount of settings we store - it was beginning to show.

So you will no longer find avast5.ini and most of other ini files in Avast’s Program Data folder and the new home for them is in Windows Registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AVAST Software\Avast\properties. You can perform modifications using Windows Registry Editor or prepare .reg files to perform the modifications automatically; these can then be shared with other users as well. Note that Self-Defense must be turned off to perform the modifications (but you can turn it on automatically by including its SelfDefense=1 setting in the .reg file).

While this might break age-old habits, we believe this will significantly improve the performance of any settings-related tasks :)
INI files were comfortable to work with but they are inherently slow due to their text-encoded nature. This change additionally enables easier automation of changes to settings - you can now send custom-tailored .reg files to any users who need your help with a more complex configuration without affecting any of their local settings.

Hope it helps and let us know of any issues with this!
While this may speed thing up, it can also have serious consequences when novices start to play with the registry.
Messing up the .ini file may do harm to the Avast program, messing up the registry can bring down the entire system.
Most Avast users are not experts and really have no business ever doing any changes in the registry.
We also know that not being an expert, will not prevent the novice from trying.

I understand, however no changes can be made due to Self-Defense being on by default anyway.  This should shield it from uninformed attempts and hopefully poeple will not advise others to blindly venture into registry when it's just as easy to send them a .reg file that does the required operation for them, risk-free.
While the .ini files were at first chosen as a easy way to be able to manually adjust settings, Avast's complexity has grown and I would hope not so many people play with the .ini files now anymore - hopefully it's easier to do in the GUI and if not, let us know what to improve. At the same time I would hope that posting/sharing a .reg file that (on double-click) turns something on or off for people is actually easier and safer than letting them to edit the .ini file themselves.  But feel free to convince me otherwise. 

Thanks for the feedback!

Offline Hried

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #31 on: August 20, 2020, 10:12:10 AM »
PS: if you copy or create avast5.ini at ProgramData, its contents are automatically imported into registry (taking priority over previous settings) upon next restart of AV service. This is to easen transition from current workflow so you don't need to completely rewrite your instructions on how to change a specific setting. Hope it helps.

Offline DavidR

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #32 on: August 20, 2020, 11:20:01 AM »
PS: if you copy or create avast5.ini at ProgramData, its contents are automatically imported into registry (taking priority over previous settings) upon next restart of AV service. This is to easen transition from current workflow so you don't need to completely rewrite your instructions on how to change a specific setting. Hope it helps.


Wouldn't it be nice if this was actually done automatically as part of the program update and restart process ?
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Offline Hried

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #33 on: August 20, 2020, 12:58:09 PM »
It is done automatically upon every restart - which is the point of restart of the AV service. Also, the update to 20.7 will do this for you.

Offline bob3160

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #34 on: August 20, 2020, 01:57:07 PM »
It is done automatically upon every restart - which is the point of restart of the AV service. Also, the update to 20.7 will do this for you.
Hopefully the re-write of the removal tool will soon be done.
I'd like to be sure that when I totally remove Avast (any version) that it is totally removed.
It's to only way to truly do a clean install which is sometimes needed.
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: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #35 on: August 20, 2020, 02:18:44 PM »
It is done automatically upon every restart - which is the point of restart of the AV service. Also, the update to 20.7 will do this for you.

Thanks for the clarification.
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Offline Asyn

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #36 on: August 20, 2020, 04:09:00 PM »
Thanks Petr, testing it asap...
- [UI Bug] Can't get into Geek Area via Enter key/symbol. (Devs are aware)
This has been fixed in UI 549.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #37 on: August 20, 2020, 04:24:03 PM »
Thanks Petr, testing it asap...
- [UI Bug] Can't get into Geek Area via Enter key/symbol. (Devs are aware)
This has been fixed in UI 549.
Would be nice if Avast updated the UI for those of us using OMNI.



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Offline Asyn

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #38 on: August 24, 2020, 11:20:39 AM »
Hopefully the re-write of the removal tool will soon be done.
I'd like to be sure that when I totally remove Avast (any version) that it is totally removed.
It's to only way to truly do a clean install which is sometimes needed.
Hi Bob, you can get the latest version (for beta) here: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?msg=1558366
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 bob3160

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #39 on: August 24, 2020, 01:44:36 PM »
Hopefully the re-write of the removal tool will soon be done.
I'd like to be sure that when I totally remove Avast (any version) that it is totally removed.
It's to only way to truly do a clean install which is sometimes needed.
Hi Bob, you can get the latest version (for beta) here: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?msg=1558366
I'm on the latest beta. It's the UI build that's not the same in Omni as in the rest of the AV products.
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 Asyn

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #40 on: August 24, 2020, 01:52:50 PM »
Hopefully the re-write of the removal tool will soon be done.
I'd like to be sure that when I totally remove Avast (any version) that it is totally removed.
It's to only way to truly do a clean install which is sometimes needed.
Hi Bob, you can get the latest version (for beta) here: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?msg=1558366
I'm on the latest beta. It's the UI build that's not the same in Omni as in the rest of the AV products.
My reply was regarding your request for the removal tool.
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 bob3160

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #41 on: August 24, 2020, 01:56:53 PM »
Hopefully the re-write of the removal tool will soon be done.
I'd like to be sure that when I totally remove Avast (any version) that it is totally removed.
It's to only way to truly do a clean install which is sometimes needed.
Hi Bob, you can get the latest version (for beta) here: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?msg=1558366
I'm on the latest beta. It's the UI build that's not the same in Omni as in the rest of the AV products.
My reply was regarding your request for the removal tool.
Avast has already acknowledged that they are still working on the removal tool.
What makes you think that it's already been addressed? Have you tried and tested it?
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 Asyn

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #42 on: August 24, 2020, 02:01:33 PM »
Hopefully the re-write of the removal tool will soon be done.
I'd like to be sure that when I totally remove Avast (any version) that it is totally removed.
It's to only way to truly do a clean install which is sometimes needed.
Hi Bob, you can get the latest version (for beta) here: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?msg=1558366
I'm on the latest beta. It's the UI build that's not the same in Omni as in the rest of the AV products.
My reply was regarding your request for the removal tool.
Avast has already acknowledged that they are still working on the removal tool.
What makes you think that it's already been addressed? Have you tried and tested it?
Download it and check the version#. ;)
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 bob3160

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #43 on: August 24, 2020, 02:06:51 PM »
That's not checking its ability to clean out all things Avast.
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Offline Asyn

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Re: New beta version 20.7.2422
« Reply #44 on: August 24, 2020, 02:13:21 PM »
That's not checking its ability to clean out all things Avast.
I just provided the link for the latest version. That's all.
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