Startup programs blocked by Avast

[abusedconsumer]

On Windows 10, latest version(19XX)

I love Avast. It's a lightweight antivirus that does the job.

However, it prevents windows startup programs such as CoreTemp and Greenshot, even though I've added them to both the exception list and the allowed apps list.

These programs are set up to start both as scheduled tasks and in the Win 10 startup folder. In the task scheduler, the programs are disabled.

Interestingly, other programs on windows startup work just fine i.e. Winamp.

It's definitely Avast causing this, since with other antivirus programs the issue doesn't occur.

So, how do I allow startup programs to run without disabling the Avast rookit protection? Thanks!

[Asyn]

So, how do I allow startup programs to run without disabling the Avast rookit protection? Thanks!

Hi, does that mean it works when you disable rookit protection..?

- Which Avast..? (Free/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..?

[abusedconsumer]

Avast: 20.10.2442 (build 20.10.5824.626)
OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 1909.

No other security software installed.
Have been using Avast for years.

Switched briefly to BitDefender for a month to see is this issue occurs with that antivirus as well.
It does not, which means it is definitely something Avast is causing.

Reproducing the issue is difficult, as I keep having to re-enable scheduled tasks in Task Scheduler every time.

Just tried, separately:

- Delay Avast on startup
- Disabling the Rookit Protection
- Disabling the ransomware shield
- Disabling all shields

The culprit seems to be Do Not Disturb Mode.

Upon reenabling the tasks, if I reset my machine the tasks remain enabled.

However, if I enter fullscreen application that's in Avast's Do Not Disturb Mode, all scheduled tasks in Task Scheduler except Avast are disabled when the OS next starts.

Apparently, it is somewhat of a known issue among users, apparently, even with the old Game Mode.

Links:

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/scheduled-tasks-keep-disabling.3143959/

https://forum.avast.com/?topic=209525.0

Can't seem to find a solution using the forum search.

Any solutions outside of painfully reenabling the scheduled tasks or disablign Do Not Disturb Mode? Thanks!

[abusedconsumer]

Further investigation reveals the following:

Settings>Performance>Do Not Disturb Mode has a checkbox called Pause Windows Update

It is checked by default. If unchecked, the Do Not Disturb Mode does not disable all scheduled tasks in Task Scheduler.

My guess is that Do Not Disturb Mode -> Pause Windows Update brutally disables all scheduled tasks to prevent updates, and does not reenable them.

Seems to have solved the issue. Will keep you posted, but you might want to pass this on to the dev team.

[Asyn]

Thanks for the detailed feedback, I'll forward it to the devs.

[kolar]

Hi abusedconsumer,

could you please attach GamingMode.log?

[bob3160]

Hi abusedconsumer,

could you please attach GamingMode.log?

You'll find it here,
C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\log

[abusedconsumer]

Attached the required file. Please do not use for nefarious purposes.

Taking a peek inside, seems that the Do Not Disturb Mode has VLC movie player and ColorVeil included as full screen applications.

I use ColorVeil as a constant screen dimmer, it is generally always on.

Perhaps this interaction is the cause of the permanent blocked tasks?

Nevertheless, since I have unchecked Pause Windows Update a few days ago, I've had no issues.

ColorVeil is unlikely to be the only full time, full screen application used out in the wild.

Perhaps someone should code in some sort of exception to pausing updates on windows restart?

Hope it helps.

[kolar]

Attached the required file. Please do not use for nefarious purposes.

Thanks for the log! Don't worry, we don't log anything that could be misused 

Taking a peek inside, seems that the Do Not Disturb Mode has VLC movie player and ColorVeil included as full screen applications.

I use ColorVeil as a constant screen dimmer, it is generally always on.

Perhaps this interaction is the cause of the permanent blocked tasks?

Yes, this is it. According to your log ColorVeil switches every ~100ms to fullscreen back and forth. We will have to come up with a generic solution for applications of this type. Meanwhile, you can either disable the rule (as you mentioned) or remove ColorVeil from the DND list.

[dave39]

I am trying to start Outlook and Brave from the Startup folder as per Task manager. It will maybe owrk ofr 1 or 2 reboots then both are disabled.
I found the following in the asOutExt64 log file
I do not have a Performance tab in settings..
2022-09-20 18:48.07 :   INFO   [0644]   === AsOutExt stopped ===
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   INFO   [4812]   === AsOutExt started ===
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   INFO   [4812]   Outlook version: 16.0.0.15601
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   INFO   [4812]   Parsed outlook version: 16
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   ERROR   [4812]   Spam init failed (0x643)
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   DEBUG   [4812]   --- InitAvastLibs completed ---
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   INFO   [4812]   Addin version 16.0.15601.20148
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   INFO   [4812]   debugLog: on
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   INFO   [4812]   ProductInfo: 21
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   DEBUG   [4812]   >> Settings::Init begin
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   DEBUG   [4812]   spam provider is NOT installed
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   DEBUG   [4812]   mail provider is installed
2022-09-21 07:22.56 :   DEBUG   [4812]   mail shield enabled

[r@vast]

I am trying to start Outlook and Brave from the Startup folder as per Task manager. It will maybe owrk ofr 1 or 2 reboots then both are disabled.

Hi,

- Which Avast..? (Free/Premium)
- Any other Avast apps like Cleanup?
- Which version/build of Avast..?
- OS..? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP/Build..?)
- Does the problem persists when Outlook Add-in is disabled in Outlook settings?
- Does the problem persists when Avast is uninstalled?

[dave39]

Which Avast..? (Free/Premium)                                    Avast One free
- Any other Avast apps like Cleanup?                            only Avast One
- Which version/build of Avast..?                                  22.9.6034
- OS..? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP/Build..?)                      Win10 Pro 64 bit vserion 20H2 build 19042.1706
- Does the problem persists when Outlook Add-in is disabled in Outlook settings? All addin are disabled it also blocks Brave
- Does the problem persists when Avast is uninstalled? have not tried.

[Russell11]

I have had a similarf issue. avast is stopping some programs such as MS Teams and a wallpaper changer from loading. It is disabling it in the startup task. I have turned avast off until restart, enabled the programs and they start. when the PC is restarted with avast running, it disabled them again. Have had no reply from avast support

[bob3160]

If my memory serves me right, there is a section in Avast One that deals with speeding up your system.
If that's selected, it's possible it's turning off sone unneeded startup programs.