New Avast Free install won't start on Windows 10 Pro

[will.pittenger1]

I just installed Avast Free on my Windows 10 PC using the download https://www.avast.com/en-us/download-thank-you.php?product=FAV-ONLINE&locale=en-us.  Even after rebooting, Avast doesn't act like it's been installed.  No icon is in the system tray.  Nor do I see an executable in the Avast Program folder.

[Asyn]

- OS..? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP/Build..?)
- Other security related software installed..?
- Which AV(s) did you use before Avast..?

[will.pittenger1]

Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
Previous AV was the Comcast license for Norton 360.  I've had troubles uninstalling it, but I think I got it uninstalled.  Avast still won't start.

[Asyn]

First, be sure to get rid of all remnants of any prior installed AV(s)..!!
-> https://support.avast.com/article/11/

Then:
1. Download Avast Free Antivirus: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
2. Follow instructions: https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed Avast versions..!!)
3. Reinstall Avast with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[will.pittenger1]

Even though this is the first install of Avast for this computer?

[Asyn]

Even though this is the first install of Avast for this computer?

Yep.

[will.pittenger1]

Reinstall complete.  I see Avast programs listed in the Task Manager.  But still no system tray icon.

[will.pittenger1]

I should note the installer window simply vanished both times.

[Asyn]

Did you get rid of all remnants of Norton..!? (https://support.avast.com/article/11/)

[will.pittenger1]

Yes, but the removal tool didn't work.  I specifically told it to do a remove rather than a remove and reinstall.  But even after 2 runs of that program, Norton was still installed.  So I deleted all the program files I could find and the registry entries.

[Asyn]

Yes, but the removal tool didn't work.  I specifically told it to do a remove rather than a remove and reinstall.  But even after 2 runs of that program, Norton was still installed.  So I deleted all the program files I could find and the registry entries.

Seems you didn't catch them all and that prevents a successful install of Avast.

[will.pittenger1]

Well, it seems the network adapter on that laptop died again.  It's part of the motherboard so I'll need to reinstall Windows after a replacement is installed.  That would mean this issue would become irrelevant.

[will.pittenger1]

Well, I got the laptop back up.  I found more Norton components, but Avast still hasn't installed properly.

[Asyn]

Well, I got the laptop back up.  I found more Norton components, but Avast still hasn't installed properly.

Well, as said, you need to remove all remnants of Norton, else it won't work.

[will.pittenger1]

I found the following after more digging.  Regalyzer didn't find it for some reason.  But I can't delete these keys.  I can't even change the permissions.  Now what?

Code: [Select]

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Provider\Av\{30744133-1E94-7B35-F4A3-82A5AEF1CBAA}]
"GUID"="{30744133-1E94-7B35-F4A3-82A5AEF1CBAA}"
"DISPLAYNAME"="Norton Security Suite"
"STATE"=dword:00051000
"PRODUCTEXE"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Symantec\\Norton\\Security Suite\\Engine\\22.11.0.41\\WSCStub.exe"
"REPORTINGEXE"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Symantec\\Norton\\Security Suite\\Engine\\22.11.0.41\\wscstub.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Provider\Av\{53C7D717-52E2-B95E-FA61-6F32ECC805DB}]
"GUID"="{53C7D717-52E2-B95E-FA61-6F32ECC805DB}"
"DISPLAYNAME"="Norton Security Suite"
"STATE"=dword:00051000
"PRODUCTEXE"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Symantec\\Norton\\Security Suite\\Engine\\22.8.0.50\\WSCStub.exe"
"REPORTINGEXE"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Symantec\\Norton\\Security Suite\\Engine\\22.8.0.50\\wscstub.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Security Center\Provider\Av\{E3FDBD9F-8140-1400-F32B-8B58923F7C4D}]
"GUID"="{E3FDBD9F-8140-1400-F32B-8B58923F7C4D}"
"DISPLAYNAME"="Norton Security Suite"
"STATE"=dword:00051000
"PRODUCTEXE"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Symantec\\Norton\\Security Suite\\Engine\\22.12.0.104\\WSCStub.exe"
"REPORTINGEXE"="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Symantec\\Norton\\Security Suite\\Engine\\22.12.0.104\\wscstub.exe"