NEW Avast Version 21.7 (August 2021)

[Karel Šťavík]

Hi, all. Please welcome the newest version of Avast AV: 21.7 (21.7.2481)


Public announcements

• Big changes to Firewall! — We've redesigned our Firewall, improved its protection, and made it free for everyone to use. If you've got Avast Free Antivirus, you'll find your new Firewall in your Protection menu. It's already turned on and protecting you. If you've got Avast Premium Security, we've upgraded you to "Premium Firewall" to also prevent your computer from leaking sensitive info to the network and warn you if a malicious device tries to intercept your data or scan your computer via open ports.
• Unresolved threat reminders — We'll now remind you about any unresolved threats found by scan you may not have seen before your computer was last shut down
• Silent Mode fix — We've fixed a bug that prevented you from turning off Silent Mode if Do Not Disturb Mode was on

Some more clarification about the new Firewall. Only a smaller portion of users will actually get it enabled in 21.7 release as we still want to observe it and test it a bit more before major fullscale on all userbase (of course, only those users who will actually get it are informed about it through our product on their device). You can expect the full-scale to happen in 5-8 weeks. When it comes to upcoming beta releases, all of those will already have it enabled in full.

Bug fixes and improvements for:

• Fixed an issue where ASB couldn't connect to the internet when installed along with Opera
• Fixed cases where detection dialogs were not shown for detections when apps were full-screen
• We've updated our UI renderer CEF to the latest version (ver. 4472) and plugged some security holes along the way
• Fixed an unpleasant behavior where some code components were invoked twice after the in-app cart was closed
• Fixed cases where licenses were not properly delivered with sole internet proxy
• Fixed an issue where the restart dialog was not shown when Do Not Disturb Mode was active
• Fixed an issue where clear utility did not start properly for systems that lacked SSE3 support
• Added proper context for users stuck on version 21.2 due to outdated OS and provided instructions how to update from Win7

As usual a big thanks goes to the team for yet another successful release!

How to install:

1. Update from your existing Avast version via Settings -> Update -> Update program

2. Or you can download and install files:

Online installers (recommended):

• Free: https://bits.avcdn.net/insttype_FREE
• Premium Security: https://bits.avcdn.net/insttype_APR
• Omni: https://bits.avcdn.net/insttype_OMNI

Offline installers:

• Free: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
• Premium Security: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_premier_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
• Omni: https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_omni_setup_offline.exe

(In case the hyperlink here wouldn't work in your browser, just paste and copy the URL to the browser address bar)

[top_stuff]

Why is Avast using CEF? I would assume it uses more resources and more importantly seems like it will require security updates each month? Can the updates be pushed by emergency fixes, if not then one has to update avast all the time. :/

[NON]

Thanks for the new release

[bob3160]

@Karel
Thanks for the download links.

[Charyb-0]

I installed it, then uninstalled it.


I receive an error message trying to delete the Avast Software key under Wow6432Node.


I can find no way to remove it. I had the same problem with the previous version.


Please see attached for path and message.

[RejZoR]

So, even if I install avast! again on my system there is no guarantee I'll even get the firewall. That's a bummer.

[DavidR]

Another error when trying to download the offline installation file for Avast Free. I have Firefox to use https connections only, but it is strange that the download location isn't https, yet the link given is https, but this obviously redirects to iavs9x.avg.u.avcdn.net which doesn't appear to support it ?

HTTPS-Only Mode Alert
Secure Connection Not Available
See attached image.

Given the errors reported by others I will hang back once more.

Presumably because of the inclusion of the firewall in avast free, the avast uninstall utility will also have to be updated ?

[wahyushikifujin]

does this mean if beta 21.9 in october 2021 comes out then all free avast antivirus users will get a firewall ?

[Hùng2]

Avast installation files have become bigger version after version. Most of the extra features are useless because there are variety of other free alternatives. Avast team should consider to remove them from the Avast installer and make those extra features become the standalone products like Avast browser instead of adding them into Avast installation files.

[bob3160]

Avast installation files have become bigger version after version. Most of the extra features are useless because there are variety of other free alternatives. Avast team should consider to remove them from the Avast installer and make those extra features become the standalone products like Avast browser instead of adding them into Avast installation files.

If you use a custom install, you can select what to install and what to leave out.

[Asyn]

Thanks Karel, spreading the news.

[Michael529]

What does the new firewall in Avast Free offer that is not available in/is better than the Microsoft Windows 10 firewall, please?

[Nunzio77]

New version ok! Go Avast go! 

[cheater87]

Got the Free version and the firewall still looks like it is locked away behind premium, I got Comodo Firewall installed anyways, so if it does active I'll just disable it, but awesome nonetheless.

[RejZoR]

Yup, updated free avast! on my netbook, no sight of firewall...