Turning off Avast pop-up advertisements

[jmt356]

Is the only way to cause the free version of Avast to stop sending constant advertisement popups to uninstall the program completely or upgrade to the paid version? Will turning off each of its components under Settings | Components (File System Shield, Mail Shield, Web Shield, Software Updater, Browser Cleanup, Rescue Disk and Home Network Security) cause the pop-ups to stop?

[HansV]

Select Settings > Update. Scroll down to the Details section, clear the check box "Show notification box after automatic update", then click OK. This is supposed to control advertisements too.

[Rudi]

To confirm Han's setting reference, see:
How to Disable Avast's Annoying Sounds and Popups (specifically the heading titled: Turn Off Update Notifications and Ad Popups). The page has additional settings you might be interested in too.

[stuck]

Alternatively, after uninstalling Avast, install Microsoft Security Essentials (if you have Win 7) or MS Windows Defender (if you have Win 8/8.1/10) all are free and completely ad-free.

If a free anti-virus from MS is not your thing then try the free version of Avira:
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus-windows
Yes that does include ads but they are small pop-ups that appear above the system tray and are easily dismissed with a click on the cross in the top right. Also, I only ever see these Avira ads when I boot my PC and even then not every time I boot the machine.

Ken

[jmt356]

I tried following Hans' suggestion, but the only boxes I have to tick under Details are
- "I only connect to the internet using a dial up modem"; and
- "Show notification box if an error occurs."

I unticked the latter. Will that stop advertizements?

Just to confirm, I am using the free version. I read some time back that it is not possible to disable advertizements for the free version, but this may have changed.

[HansV]

I don't think that unticking "Show notification box if an error occurs" will help.

If the popups keep on annoying you, you might consider Ken (stuck)'s suggestion to ditch Avast and to use Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows 7)/Windows Defender (Windows 8/8.1/10) instead.

[jmt356]

I will keep an eye out for Avast pop-ups.

In the meantime, I tried to launch Windows Defender, but this window pops up:

"This app is turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status."

My only option is to click on Close.

How can I turn on Windows Defender? Do I need to first deactivate Avast?

[BobArch2]

How can I turn on Windows Defender? Do I need to first deactivate Avast?

I use ESET Smart Security which turned of Windows Defender when ESET was installed. If I want to run Windows Defender I have to turn off ESET, not deactivate it as in uninstall. I might suggest the same for your environment.

[DaveA]

One should NEVER run 2 or more AV programs.
Yes, you need to uninstall Avast, reboot, then Defender will turn on.

[jmt356]

Thank you Dave. I am uninstalling Avast. I hope to be able to launch Windows Defender at restart. I will repost if there are further issues.