I have used Avast Secure Browser for years with no problems. But, I have been watching it literally disintegrate over the last few weeks. Since early July 2021, it has been falling apart. I first noticed the problems when trying to use Bank Mode. The Bank Mode browser started and said that Avast Anti-Fingerprinting and Anti-Tracking are "dangerous" extensions and it removed them. I cannot update in Bank Mode. I get error code 3:0x80080005. I also get told by the browser in Bank Mode that "Bank Mode Failed to Load Properly."
Now more recently, July 15, 2021, I got new problems in Avast Browser (regular version, not bank mode). In secure://settings/vpn none of the options are available. This is what I meant by: "I (1) can't turn on or off my VPN; (2) can't change my VPN location; and (3) can't auto-connect." These menu options now are all ghosted out and can't be used.
I have uninstalled / reinstalled Avast Secure Browser a few times and none of the problems get fixed. I have Windows 10.
The other point I am trying to make is that Avast Secure Browser is sending contradictory messages about the VPN along the top of the browser (see attachment 2). The left icon reports "your connection is not encrypted and your location is visible to others" but the right icon looks normal (green color).