Author Topic: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user  (Read 3640 times)

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Offline cookm1975

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Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
« on: June 05, 2021, 01:07:34 AM »
Hi,
I have Avast free installed on my Win10 laptop.

One of the users was deleted leaving just the Admin user. I have been trying to delete the old user folders, and have been able to delete all except: C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Avast Software.

After giving Admin permissions, there is a message stating "You require permission from S-1-5-21-3237366608-2643675640-2977971756- 1036"

Can anyone help me to delete this folder?

Thanks

Offline DavidR

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Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2021, 01:58:08 AM »
I have never attempted to do this, however I believe you may still have to Disable the Avast Self Defence module to do this.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline seb3343

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Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2021, 07:38:59 PM »
I have the exact same problem - was there a solution?

Offline DavidR

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Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2021, 10:46:47 PM »
Did you try disabling the Avast Self Defence module.

Given the OPs 'cookm1975' post I would say it would be strange having the same coincidence of another user removing it causing this error.
Can you give a more detailed description of what you did.

Are you getting the exact same registry error "You require permission from S-1-5-21-3237366608-2643675640-2977971756- 1036" mentioned by 'cookm1975'  ?
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline ChrisBedford

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Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2022, 10:14:25 AM »
I have never attempted to do this, however I believe you may still have to Disable the Avast Self Defence module to do this.

I'm not sure what exactly was meant by "Avast Sef Defence Module" (only have options to disable "Core Shields" which seems to encompass File, Behaviour, Web, and Mail Shields, but the menu structure of Avast is unbelievably complex) but this didn't work for me. Once you have logged on as a different user and deleted ("removed") the user in question, changing this option doesn't seem to affect files in the deleted user's profile. Not a big surprise there.

I uninstalled Avast and selected the option to remove all settings, then I was able to change security permissions in the affected user's folders and delete the entire user sub-folder from the C:\Users folder. Then reinstalled Avast again. PITA but then if you are using Avast you should be used to constant annoyances.

Offline DavidR

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Re: Can't delete Avast folder for a deleted user
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2022, 10:36:51 AM »
Like any Self Defence, it is there to protect, in the case of an antivirus to protect itself from malicious removal or modification.

Since you don't go into details of exactly what you were doing I don't know if it was the self defence module or not.  But its location is relatively easy to find (I think) - UI > Menu > Settings > General > Troubleshooting > Enable Self-Defence (uncheck this option and follow the prompt to acknowledge).
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security