Why I've stopped using Avast after 20+ years

[Wilmy]

I love Avast, I really do... but.

Over the years the frequency of popups and pressure to buy features I don't need/want has increased beyond the point of irritation.

The straw which broke the camel's back is the viral activity, yes, that's what it is, of the VPN turning itself on when I don't want to even use it - I've been using NordVPN for years and it's perfect.

I've switched to Avira, who knows, I may use Avast again in the future, but only if it runs QUIETLY in the background without annoying the crap out of me.

[Rundvleeskroket]

I agree Avast is becoming more and more annoying. But if you never use the VPN, why not uninstall the component? Then it can't turn itself on. Same goes for all components you don't use.

[Wilmy]

You'd think that Avast would provide an option to uninstall unwanted "features" wouldn't you? But they don't!

I had all VPN options turned off... BUT... it still turned itself on and gave me free xxxxGB of "protection" and constantly showed me pop-ups begging me to upgrade to the full version ALTHOUGH I'd turfned off all pop up options.

It's obviously intentional to bug the crap oy of people so that they "upgrade" and pay to get rid of annoyances but no way Jose... I ain't doin' it!

I was an IT tech in a previous life and have paid Avast enough in the way of bulk corporate & eduction licensing fees.

The bottom line is Avira may, or may not, provide the same level of antiviral protection as Avast, but it just sits there in my system tray just like AVAST USED TO!

[Rundvleeskroket]

You can go to Control Panel --> Programs and Features --> Avast --> Change, and uncheck the components you don't want.

All I'm running is File Shield, Mail Shield, and Web Shield. All the other crap is gone.

I run Avast Free, so the stupid alarmist popups remain.

[onsitehelp]

both free and paid version,  you can disable most things.

custom install pic minumal,,, i pick anti virus, enail, web protection, untick behaviour shied,  untich rest.


alst once installed, customise it, , disable offers(paid)  etc,  save to backup profile,  you can reload it, on a reinstall, without ticking everything.

including exceptions  ect, but yes  it has become more anowing, with torrents,  keygen (10 year ld one that are safe  etc.....(anyother things, like my steam folder,  popuin up on backups of my doc,  when everthing clean, its a old win 7 pc

now i cant stop link your account to this pc pop up.