Haven't received Avast Virus Definitions Update since 05/18/22

[Rangerx]

I'm running Avast 11.2.2262 on multiple computers.
Yes I know it is an old version but have seen no announcements that it is no longer supported.

The Avast settings update screen shows:
  Current version: 220518-4
  Release date: 5/18/2022 11:16:24 AM
  Connection: Connection established
  Latest update received: 5/25/2022 2:19:44 PM
  Streaming updates are enabled.

Windows is warning me virus definitions need to be updated. While it says latest update received is today the current version of 5/18/22 is a week old and Windows is complaining. I never see Windows complaining about outdated Avast virus definitions.

Can someone check to see if Avast is having problems issuing new updates for older versions of Avast. Or let me know if this is the new normal and release date updates will be further apart and that I should ignore the Windows Action Center warnings.

Thanks!

[DavidR]

What happens if you try a manual virus definitions update ?

You say streaming updates are enabled, are you receiving these updates ?
Check C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\defs you should see the streaming update folders, they have _stream at the end of the folder name. 

Are they showing a more recent date - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\defs\22052508_stream - ?
I think that the folder locations should be the same even in older versions of avast.

[Rangerx]

Thanks for replying.

My Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\defs\ folder has one folder named 22051804 containing lots of files which appears to contain the last full engine update from 05/18/22 as noted in the Avast settings update screen.

It also contains many 2205DD##_stream folders about three per each day since the last full engine update on 05/18/22.
So it looks like my Avast is being updated multiple times per day via streaming since the last full engine update on 05/18/22.

Just not sure why there has been no full engine update in over a week. Since I never get an alert from Windows Action center I assume in the past a full engine update occurs at least once a week or more. Apparently this did not happen in the last 7 days so I was wondering if there is a change at Avast or a problem with full engine updates.

Thanks again.

EDIT: Doing a manual update does not result in the engine being updated to a new date/version.  It stays at 05/18/2022.

[DavidR]

You're welcome.

The streaming updates are important in that they keep the main virus definitions up to date until the next proper Engine and Virus Definitions update.

Why you aren't getting then is beyond me, ordinarily I would suggest an Avast Repair - however I don't know how that might go when you have such an old version.  Though I don't think it would go so far as a program update, but this is very much uncharted territory for me. That decision is yours.

Most people would advise updating the program (to give the best protection) and most people ill have no knowledge or have forgotten the interface, components and actions of such an old version.  That decision has to rest with you and your reasons, but the older it is the less likely that other Avast Users on the forum can help with issues.

What OS are you using ?

[Rangerx]

I am running Windows 8.1.

What version of engine does your Avast have... I assume all supported Avast versions use the same engine. That will tell me what the latest engine/full-virus-dat should be. I would expect to have downloaded it also.

There was another post on May 18 "WinXP No Longer Updating Virus Definitions" of another user using an older but supported version of Avast that was not updating as well. Not an identical issue but somewhat related.

Wonder if Avast personnel can check to see if there is a problem or bug somewhere.

[DavidR]

Win 8.1 will be supported for some time yet (I haven't got a date), currently win7 is still supported and XP Program updates ended with 18.8.xxxx.  With Win 8.1 you should still be able to get the latest versions provided the CPU supports SSE3 (which I would guess it does, this is what I believe killed XP support).

I don't believe there is an Engine version as such there is the Program Version and Build number and a UI Version.  The virus definitions is a date based identification, year/month/day (22052508, the 8th VPS update today) and the updates that day, check the images I posted

I'm still on Avast 22.2.xxxx, my details are in my signature below my posts.

Avast are unlikely to be able to check individually with out information, which I believe would be tough with such an old version and would they fix it for such an old version, I just don't know as an Avast User. 

Ordinarily a system restart would be first, a Repair the next port of call followed by a clean reinstall.  Which depends on you and sticking with old versions.

[Rangerx]

All my computers just updated the Avast engine/defs to:

Current version: 220525-8
Release date: 5/25/2022 9:18:04 AM
Last Update Received: 5/25/2022 8:52:15 PM

The defs folder is cleared of the old stream folders and a new 22052508 folder with the engine/defs now exists.

Don't know why... they just finally updated. Must be magic. I will be a bit more patient in the future I guess. May take more time now.

Thanks very much DavidR for your interaction on this issue.

[DavidR]

You're welcome.

The streams sub folders, do get cleared after a regular virus definitions update, normally you will have the current on after the virus definitions update.

Well a week is a long time, but don't forget you have the streaming updates which increments the database until a new virus definitions update happens.  So you are still protected.