Thanks all for your participation in this post. Forgive me as I am not an IT expert, I just view the issue as an ordinary computer user. I really don’t know (or don’t know how to explain) which files could be scanned or could not be scanned by Avast. I try to re-emphasis and share my points in a general way.
1. Summary of Full Virus Scan Settings
- Basically check all boxes
- Selection parts: all hard disks, scan all archives, scan all files
2. Since I haven’t changed the settings for a very long time, just simply think if long-existing factors are constant, those unscanned files will remain unscanned, those scanned files can still be scanned. Expressing in another way, it may be reasonable to expect unscanned items exist in previous scanning reports too, but it is not my reported issue as those unscanned items only appear recently. Although having unscanned files are normal, I doubt a sudden significant increase in unscanned files may not be the case. 2017 incident mentioned before to a certain extent alarm me.
3. I am not sure whether the root cause is related to Avast or not. Since I remember something similar in the past and after investigation, Avast can indeed do something to remedy the situation during 2017 incident, I report here for necessary investigation and measures if required.
4. Thanks for providing supplementary information for full virus scan and other aspects. While real-time protection like file shield can serve as a frontline protection or final protection (unscanned files during full virus scan), the core concern is if there is something unusual occurred or improvement could be made, the functionality (scope) of full virus scan may also be addressed or discussed. Users have different preference for safety level, some may believe having real-time protection is enough, some may think if unluckily some faults are present in those shields and not being noticed for a certain time interval, carrying other manual scan regularly may serve as a backup or other way of checking. I understand DavidR’s points, if all shields successfully do their job, there is no great need for on-demand scan. However, as long as full virus scan is introduced in Avast’s product and to some users, full virus scan still has its values, some questions or enquiries about on-demand scan may also be raised, discussed and addressed.
5. For Avast’s side, if the team suggests such sudden increase for unscanned files are normal (or unlike 2017 incident mentioned) and it is not an issue caused by Avast, users could eliminate one of the potential cause.
6. For the scopes of window apps that can’t be scanned, say Skype.exe, I can confirm I am not using it as I don’t use Skype for a very long time. For real player.exe, I can’t recall whether I am using it. For others such as GameBarElevatedFT_Alias.exe, WindowsPackageManagerServer.exe, etc., I even don’t know their existence and as far as I remember, I just use the computer as usual and in my perception, it is not likely to suddenly activate so many files that I even don’t know.
7. For the question ‘is the file protected/locked by the operating system, I can’t tell. What I could say is I just use my computers as usual these days, I haven’t tried any new software or intentionally do anything to protect and lock those files that can’t be scanned suddenly.
8. Finally, thanks all for your time and sharing again
