can't delete Avast anti-virus

[dave wright]

My Avast got to where it wouldn't update (definitions or program ) so I decided to delete it. When I tried thru add/remove programs I got a repair option screen which I used. It said it was fixed and to reboot. When computer restarted I got a AvastUI.exe has a problem and needs to close plus a fatal DR. Watson error. I tried to uninstall again and computer was unstable but straightened out. I've tried to uninstall using Avastclear.exe but I can't get past the first page because I don't have a "continue" button like I should. I've called Avast helpline and they say to put in a ticket but their site won't let me do that and it won't let me register on their forum either. Don't understand those issues. I also tried several uninstaller programs none of which would remove the program from program files but one ( Geek I believe ) did remove it from add/remove programs list , the desktop icon and got rid of the AvastUI.exe error. It was suggested I download newest Avast and try to delete from there which I'm going to try. Any and all advice appreciated. thanks

[SuperDave]

You could try this.
•AVAST! Removal Tool - Avast! uninstall utility

[dave wright]

The Avastclear.exe I was talking about in my post is the Avast uninstall utility you gave me a link to. It is what I didn't have a "continue" button for after I opened it. I have downloaded it again and the same thing only now it won't even open. Is there any other way to get it to run? Wingows Task Manager won't even shut it down - the wheel just keeps spinning. These Avast files/programs have apparently gotten really screwed up Uninstallers won't work either so is there any other way to get Avast off here - perhaps with the registry? Would file shredder help? When I try to delete it using delete it says "access is denied" and I am the administrator! Since Avast won't open or work is there another anti-virus I could use that would work with the Avast program still on my computer? I need an option because it's only a matter of time before I get a virus. I am limiting my web browsing to almost nothing to avoid that though. thanks again

[SuperDave]

I wouldn't recommend messing around in the Registry. The only way I can suggest is to delete everything pertaining to Avast. You can use unlocker to delete those stubborn files. You should try Avira for your AV on XP

You can download and install Unlocker here. .Make sure you decline any free offers so they won't get loaded on your computer.

Avira AntiVir Personal

[patio]

You should also try running that removal tool in safemode...

[plodr]

Try CCleaner portable.
https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/builds
2nd download, not the first.

Run the registry cleaning tool. When it asks if you want to backup before it cleans, say YES. That way if anything goes wrong, you can very easily restore the registry. It doesn't the cleaning so you don't have to go through everything.

[dave wright]

I will try the unlocker and see if I can delete Avast in program files. I know I will have a lot of it left in various files but if that won't interfere with Avira that might be ok. I have CCeaner and have checked the registry for errors - don't see what good the portable cleaning tool would do ? Patio, I did try to run the removal tool (Avastclear.exe ) in safe mode (only option really)  but like I said I didn't have a "continue" button when it opened up so I couldn't continue. The file downloaded normally and was 7Mb like it should have been - why no "continue" button - my computer? If I could run that it might fix my problem but after the way their repair option screwed things up when I was going to remove Avast in add/remove programs I doubt it. I will see how things work out and get back to you. Please stick with me. thanks once more

[plodr]

I did not know you already had CCleaner installed. I normally recommend the portable tool because some people don't like to add yet more things to the registry by running a program they might never use again.

Have you run CCleaner? Did it find any orphaned registry entries for Avast?

[Allan]

DO NOT run the registry cleaner module of ccleaner (or any other registry cleaners for that matter). Although ccleaner's registry cleaner is among the most benign of the group, there are NO good registry cleaners and none of them do any good whatsoever. In fact, some registry cleaners will leave your system unusable.

[patio]

+1 ^^^