Author Topic: Why is Avast apparently designed to not be able to run in Safe mode?  (Read 1140 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Robert333

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 32
I would be interested to know why it is not possible to run Avast antivirus in Safe mode.
When attempting to do so:
"Sorry we've crashed".

Why do I want run Avast antivirus in Safe mode?
Because there would be less applications running while carrying out an Avast "Full Virus Scan", that could potentially (particularly if there is a virus Threat") interfere with detection or action on any Threats, and likewise take up system resources and thus I assume, such an Avast scan could take less time.

Why do I want to run Avast antivirus in Safe mode rather than carrying out an "Avast Boot-Time Scan"?
It would just be an extra option, but I have also encountered an issue when attempting to download for the "Boot-Time Scan", its "Specialized antivirus definitions" (as I put to discussion in two recent threads).


Offline Spec8472

  • Avast team
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 298
Re: Why is Avast apparently designed to not be able to run in Safe mode?
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2024, 03:27:33 PM »
Hello, it is common conception to load only neccessary processes /drivers in safe-mode. The safe-mode is not intended for normal usage, it is designed for diagnostics and fixing mostly.

Offline Robert333

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 32
Re: Why is Avast apparently designed to not be able to run in Safe mode?
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2024, 02:41:07 PM »
Thank you "Spec8472" for your response.

Quote
Spec8472 wrote:
The safe-mode is not intended for normal usage, it is designed for diagnostics and fixing mostly.

From what you have said I would have thought a virus scan would come into that category of usage of Safe mode.

Other antivirus products can run virus scans in Safe mode, for example Comodo.


Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 89610
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Why is Avast apparently designed to not be able to run in Safe mode?
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2024, 03:02:18 PM »
Avast has had a Boot Time scan function for some considerable time.

It is initiated from within the program settings, a restart is required and some files/signatures need to be downloaded.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free  24.8.6127 (build 24.8.9372.862) UI 1.0.814/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline Robert333

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 32
Re: Why is Avast apparently designed to not be able to run in Safe mode?
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2024, 05:21:16 PM »
Quote
DavidR wrote:
Avast has had a Boot Time scan function for some considerable time.

It is initiated from within the program settings, a restart is required and some files/signatures need to be downloaded.

May I respectfully refer DavidR to the first message I posted here, which he may have missed.

« Last Edit: June 23, 2024, 05:23:30 PM by Robert333 »

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 89610
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Why is Avast apparently designed to not be able to run in Safe mode?
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2024, 07:13:07 PM »
I didn't so much miss it, as misinterpreting exactly what it was you were trying to achieve.

Quote from: Robert333
Because there would be less applications running while carrying out an Avast "Full Virus Scan",
.

As "Spec8472" Avast team member said
Quote from: Spec8472
Hello, it is common conception to load only necessary processes /drivers in safe-mode. The safe-mode is not intended for normal usage, it is designed for diagnostics and fixing mostly.

So my assumption (dangerous I know) that your purpose of running in safe mode was to be able to do a scan in safe mode whilst few programs would be running.  Then the boot-time scan should be able to achieve that as there wouldn't be anything running to impede a scan.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free  24.8.6127 (build 24.8.9372.862) UI 1.0.814/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security