The problem must be related to system restore. I have two xp/SP3s, both recently running avast free V8 (been running avast since V5 and this is my first-ever issue). On April 22 one of the computers would go online, however browsers and email programs would not connect. I used system restore to roll back two days (April 20) and regained browser/email function. Unfortunately avast somehow morphed from the free version (1483) to a trial version (1455) that would not update and with a notice that ten days remain in the trial period. The other xp did not require going back to a restore point and is running normally with free V8.
Avast Free Antivirus raises the bar on security with real-time protection, intelligent threat-detection, and added security for your network, passwords, and browser. Easy to install and easy to use, no other free antivirus comes close. Best Answer: Download the free version but do not install it. Save the installer to the desktop. Boot your PC into Safe Mode. Uninstall Avast from there. Then boot normally and install the free version. Ignore any warnings from Windows as being unprotected. As to MS Essentials, it always rates last in all. I know this topic is very old, but I had the same problem. I upgraded to Avast Pro for one year, and then when my year subscription expired (yesterday), I was left only with the options to repurchase a Pro license. There was no option to downgrade to Avast Free.
Unfortunately the xp with the dysfunctional avast is in a remote cabin with a very slow dial-up connection that results in a 7 hour download of V8, while the ISP terminates connection at 4 hours. I hope it's possible to download V8 to CD or thumb drive elsewhere and install it at the remote location.
I am also having a similar issue with avast that may be related to System Restore. (I have Windows Vista)Just today noticed the red popup that my 'subscription for avast! Internet Security has expired. As a result, the program will not download any further updates'. And when i open the main ui, it shows avast! Pro Antivirus.
BUT, I've only ever had the free version!!! Never clicked to upgrade or start a trial or anything.I've been trying to fix an unrelated issue and have needed to use System Restore in Vista lately. So maybe those things are somehow related.I don't suppose there is another (easier/quicker) option to revert back to the free version than to uninstall/reinstall? HiI know this topic is very old, but I had the same problem. I upgraded to Avast Pro for one year, and then when my year subscription expired (yesterday), I was left only with the options to repurchase a Pro license. There was no option to downgrade to Avast Free.After about twenty minutes of searching in vain for such a button, I was ready to uninstall Avast Pro and get another Free antivirus. But when I selected the 'uninstall' option from Windows 7's control panel option of 'Add/Remove Programs', a message from Avast popped up asking me if I really want to uninstall Avast, and by answering 'Yes' it then asked me if I want to revert back to Avast Free.So it would seem that a lack of downgrading capabilities is a common complaint that Avast chose to solve by that cumbersome route.I hope this helps at least someone.
Title says it all. Years ago, I lived and died by AVG. When i was in tech school, our firewall didn't work well with AVG so we were forced to use Avast. I liked the features and user interface of Avast better (AVG started becoming a bit bloated too if i remember correctly). Now the time comes again to recommend something. Avast needed an email to register and this user is the type to call me for every prompt, so I decided to give her AVG.
Once again, I am finding that I like the one other than what I am using better. I have never used Avira and Panda just seemed to basic at the time i tested it.So the question is, what is your favorite Antivirus? If you are posting based on an OS, please give the reasons why so the community knows.
I also use linux at home and I have seen very many threads with Mac users asking for a free antivirus solution. I'm all for avast, either paid or free. I use it on my main workstation and one several W7 VM's I have running as servers or test machines. I've never gotten a virus on any machine since I've started using it (back at v4 so almost a decade ago). The interface has been steadily getting better and better.
Features like the software checking to see if things are out of date (like Foxit Reader or Flash) are useful. The program is also very lightweight and it's secure enough that I don't have to run scheduled scans.
I just let the active protection do its job.The only problem I have with avast! Is that the free version can be kind of pushy sometimes about updating. Generally though, if you tell it no it will keep quiet for awhile. I too usually installed AVG over Avast due to the e-mail registration requirement but that is in the past. I now use a combination of the two depending on the level of expertise the has.
I find AVG's newest user interface fairly easy to navigate at the expense of feeling a bit 'heavier' on system resources.I find the comment earlier about Avast becoming more sneaky with getting people to upgrade humourous. AVG has been doing this for years but at least recently they have allowed the option to downgrade back to the free version without having to do a complete remove/install. Looks like so far AVG is the winner. I never knew that SOPHOS had a free home license and I like their previous involvement with the Spiceworks community so I will definitely consider dropping it on one of my many windows machines.
Bit defender I read a bad review of back in the day, but my local IT buddy swears by it. Panda Cloud I have not used since it was standard Panda and as I mentioned the interface was a bit basic, but I feel that I should branch out and try all of the ones mentioned here (since I already tried AVG and Avast and know what I am walking into with those).The other thing that sparked my interest in creating this thread was when a mac user/coworker of mine asked about an AV solution after hearing about the SSL bug. I pretty much broke the news to her about the bug, but it sparked my interest in a free AV solution for macs. I saw here on spiceworks of all places that Avast had a mac version and that was the first thing that came to mind.This user that I was helping still had MSE on her pc and I was like. Yeah, that has to go.
Revert Avast To Free Mac
AVG was my choice and I thought it would be time to finally part ways with Avast and see if anyone else could contend.