Hello MagicV,
Has anybody figured this out? I did a fresh (ie first time) install of Avast this morning and I am encountering the same "invalid License key". I'm using whatever the latest Avast! free Home version is (can't tell the exact version since I can't run it).
Please try to submit another key request for Avast! free Home version and try again. You can read the FAQ
here and follow the links for new license key.
One thing I noticed is that there are no blue "bubble" icons in the tray (even after a couple of re-boots). I just started Avast from the "Start" menu and it does a flash screen, then asks for the license.
For license issue, follow the above steps.
I can guide you through how to check if Avast is activated when u log in into windows.
- Start > Run (Windows + R)
- In the Open box type services.msc and then click on OK or press Enter
- Look for all Avast services (they are near the top), namely:
- avast! Antivirus
- avast! iAVS4 Control Service
- avast! Mail Scanner
- avast! Web Scanner
- Make sure that all of Avast services are already started; If not, follow these steps:
- Right click on the service name > Properties
- Under General tab, Startup type change to Automatic and click on Apply (if already automatic or manual go next step)
- Below it on the Service Status, start the service.
- Also, please ensure that Avast is already in your startup list by doing this:
- Start > Run (Windows + R)
- In the Open box type msconfig and then click on OK or press Enter
- Under Startup tab, you must see this and make sure its checked:
- Startup Item: ashDisp
- Command: C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
- Location: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- If you do not see this, go to Start > Run, in the Open box type regedit and then click on OK or press Enter
- Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, you should see the value: avast! and the location
- If you can't see it means Avast installation has not succeed, please do a full uninstallation and reinstall.
Another thing I notice is that "Control Panel > Windows Security Center" says that more than one Anti-Virus software is reporting that it is running. Previous to installing Avast!, I uninstalled PCTOOLS Antivirus (though I am still running Threatfire and PCTOOLS Firewall Plus). "Add Remove Programs" doesn't list any other anti-virus software as being installed. "Task Manager" doesn't show any programs or services running as anti-virus.
I believe that PCTOOLS Firewall Plus and Threatfire caused a conflict with Avast, therefore unable to recognize in Windows Security Center.
Alternatively, you can visit Microsoft website for this issue
here.
Another topic relates to this issue
here.
Have a nice day~
zell