[Resolved] Need help updating to Avast 5 from 4.8

[e-Cat]

Hello, I still have Avast 4.8 Home Edition Free and would finally like to get around to updating to the latest version of Avast Free.

Im not very knowledgable with computers, so what would be the best method of safely and easily removing the old version and installing the latest?

Thank you.

(Running: Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit, 4GB RAM, E8400 @ 3Ghz)

[SafeSurf]

Hello e-Cat and welcome to the forum. 

Try first to simply click on upgrade from the main/Summary Avast GUI.  If this fails or you have errors, then an uninstall and clean install would be necessary.

Uninstall Avast and do a CLEAN install:

1. Save a copy of newest version of Avast (5.0.677) for the version you need and save it to your HDD:
Free – http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free_eng.exe - (English only)
Free – http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe - (multi-language version)
2. Download the Avast Uninstall Utility, aswClear5.exe http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for both 4.0 and 5.0).  You will need to uninstall BOTH 4.0 and 5.0 at this time if you already tried to upgrade.
3. Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
4. Boot into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool.
5. Reboot.
6. Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
7. Get Internet access and update Avast definitions.
8. Register your copy or add the license key for Free
      Free – http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php

Let me know how this goes.  Thank you.

[SafeSurf]

Are you getting the pop-up reminders telling you to upgrade?

[DavidR]

You shouldn't really need to do a clean install of avast 5.0, the avast5 installation file will detect avast 4.8 installed. It will remember the avast 4.8 registration details (for use in 5.0), uninstall avast 4.8 and install avast 5.0 in the one session.

That way you don't have to register avast 5.0 as the details will be transferred, so the remaining registration period is still valid. At that point you will get a reminder 14 days before expiry and you can re-register through the avast5 UI (user interface).

You should only need to do a clean install if you experience a problem and I tend not to pre-empt a problem until it happens.

[SafeSurf]

Try first to simply click on upgrade from the main/Summary Avast GUI.  If this fails or you have errors, then an uninstall and clean install would be necessary.

Thanks David.  That is what I suggested to the OP in the beginning of the thread.  Perhaps the OP missed this.

[DavidR]

I don't know about the OP, but I missed it

[SafeSurf]

No problem.  I do that too after a while looking at the screen. 

[e-Cat]

Yes, I had gotten a pop-up when I started a full system scan I do on a regular basis, telling me about the discount offer on the premium version and that I should update since mine was obsolete.

Well everything updated successfully and so far seems to be running fine, nice new sleek look to UI, Im liking it. I did go ahead and re-registered since my license was about to expire soon anyways.

BTW, where can I look at the log files in 5?, in 4.8 I could just right-click the tray icon and select it from there, but I cant see it in Avast 5, I just like to look at them from time to time, make sure I didn't miss something.

Anyways, thank you very much for the help, I really appreciate it.

[DavidR]

Most of the log information that was in the old 4.8 log viewer, is contained in individual reports for each of the shields. Open the avastUI, Real-time Shields, select the one you want and at the bottom right of the screen is a Show report file, see image.

Not all Shields have any meaningful content other than a start and end time.

[SafeSurf]

You are very welcome e-Cat. 

If you feel that your issue is now resolved/fixed, please go back to the first open post in this topic, click the modify button in that Post and change the title/subject, add [Resolved] to the beginning of the title so this thread can be closed. 

Feel free to come back any time you need help, to learn something new, or just to ask questions.  We are here 24/7 for your convenience.  Thank you for allowing us to assist you.