Officially Avast Antivirus 2018is compatible with Windows 10 as well with both Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. However, some users may have issues with running Avast on the latest Windows. This article covers the most known ones, as well as solutions for fixing them.
So far, this article covers three issues
- I have the same stalling / Not Responding issue not with Access but with IE and Adobe Lightroom 2 and 3. I have Vista 64 with 9GB of RAM. Lightroom is install on the C: drive and the data is on D: drive (physically separated drives with NTFS partition on both).
- I am also on Avast 11.1.2241 and having issues with Thunderbird going into 'Not responding' mode and never coming back. The avast update was around the same time as the Thunderbird 38.4.0, so I cannot say which, if either, is the culprit.
- I have the same stalling / Not Responding issue not with Access but with IE and Adobe Lightroom 2 and 3. I have Vista 64 with 9GB of RAM. Lightroom is install on the C: drive and the data is on D: drive (physically separated drives with NTFS partition on both).
- Avast won't let me download torrent because it detects MACOS/SPIGOT.AAny help is welcomed.
- BSOD after Anniversary Update
- Cortana menu critical error
- Avast SecureDNS can’t run
General advise to avoid any compatibility issues between Windows and Avast antivirus is to keep both of them updated to the latest version. Make sure you are running the latest Avast version available. See more details in our article about updating Avast.
Issue #1 – BSOD After Installing Anniversary Update
External Hard Drive Not Responding Michael Paulmeno Oct 14, 2013, 11:40 AM For the last several months I have had a persistent problem with an external hard drive attached to my home computer. This article was created to help troubleshoot hanging crashing and not responding issues while using Excel. There are several methods to try to stop the application from crashing.
The major issue which affected many Avast users and caused a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) after they installed latest Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Cause of the issue was the incompatibility between one of the Avast drivers (aswvmm.sys) and Intel CPU from the Skylake family. However, Avast has promptly identified the issue and released an emergency program update which fixed the issue.
Solution #1.1 – Update your Avast before installing Anniversary Update
Since the issue has been officially fixed by Avast, you just need to make sure you are running the latest compatible version.
- Make sure your Avast is updated to the latest program version by going to settings » Update » PROGRAM » click on ‘Update‘. For more information about the program update check our guide ‘How to Update Your Avast Antivirus 2018‘
- Download Windows 10 Anniversary Update from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12387/windows-10-update-history » click on ‘Get the Anniversary Update now‘
- Run the download file ‘Windows10Upgrade28084.exe‘ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
Installation of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update
Solution #1.2 – Repaid your Avast before installing Anniversary Update
Another way how to get the latest version of Avast is to repair the current one. Internet connection is needed, of course.
- Repair your Avast by going to Programs and Features » select Avast » Uninstall/Change » Repair
- Once the repair process of Avast will finish, restart your computer
- Download Windows 10 Anniversary Update from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12387/windows-10-update-history » click on ‘Get the Anniversary Update now‘
- Run the download file ‘Windows10Upgrade28084.exe‘ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
Issue #2 – Critical Error: Start menu and Cortana aren’t working
This one is probably the most popular issue on Windows 10. It basically locks up the Start menu and Cortana so you can’t use them at all which is really painful.
![Mac Mac](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CYI6WbsbtLA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Although many tech guys are saying it’s caused by Avast or any other antivirus, it’s not true. This issue is caused solely by Microsoft and a bug in Windows 10.
Just make sure you are running the latest version of Avast before trying any of the solutions below.
Solution #2.1 – Boot into Windows Safe Mode
If you are lucky the only thing you need to do is boot into Windows Safe Mode and then restart to the regular mode. If you are not sure how to do it, follow the instructions below:
- Open Windows Run dialog by simultaneously pressing Windows key on your keyboard and ‘R’
- Enter ‘msconfig’ into Windows Run dialog and confirm
- System Configuration dialog will open. Go to ‘Boot’ and tick the option ‘Safe boot’
- Confirm and restart your computer
- Once you are in the Safe Mode just restart again into regular mode and the critical error with Start menu and Cortana should be gone
Alternatively, you can boot into Safe Mode using the Advanced start-up:
- Go to Power in the Windows Start menu, hold ‘Shift’ and click on ‘Restart’. This also works on the Sign-in window
- Your computer should reboot and display Recovery options. Go to ‘Troubleshoot’ » ‘Advanced options’ » ‘Startup Settings’ » ‘Restart’
- Windows will reboot and the Startup Settings should display. Select Safe Mode by pressing F4 key on your keyboard
- Once you are in the Safe Mode just restart again into regular mode and the critical error with Start menu and Cortana should be gone
Solution #2.2 – Add new user account to Windows
Another solution which helped some users is creating a new local user account in Windows. If you are not sure how to do it, follow the instructions below:
- Right-click on the Start menu icon and select ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’
- Enter ‘net user [username] [password] /add’ where username and password is the name and password of the new account. For example ‘net user Paul P4ssw0rd! /add’
Alternatively, you can create a new user from the Control Panel:
Download Avast For Mac Keeps Not Responding
- Open Windows Run dialog by simultaneously pressing Windows key on your keyboard and ‘R’
- Enter ‘control userpasswords2’ into Windows Run dialog and confirm
- User Accounts window will open. Click on ‘Add…’
- A sign-in window will open. Click on ‘Sign in without a Microsoft account’ at the bottom of the screen
- Add a user window will open. Click on ‘Local account’ at the bottom of the screen
- Enter the user details for the new account, click on ‘Next’ and ‘Finish’
Mac Application Not Responding
Solution #2.3 – Run the System File Checker tool to repair corrupted system files
You can try to repair the corrupted or missing system files using the Windows tool called System File Checker or SFC. It’s quite simple and apparently worked for lots of users:
- Right-click on the Start menu icon and select ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’
- Type down ‘sfc /scannow’ and hit ‘Enter’ and wait after it finishes
- Restart your computer the Start menu and Cortana should be working again
Issue #3 – Avast SecureDNS can’t run on this network
Recently many of the Avast users have reported the issue with Avast SecureDNS on the official forum. SecureDNS is a premium feature which protects you from phishing attacks using fake DNS servers. It is available only in the paid products Avast Pro Antivirus, Avast Internet Security and Avast Premier.
When this issue happens Avast will display a message ‘SecureDNS can’t run on this network’ in the status monitor. Although it will stay in the ‘green’ state like on the screenshot below.
Solution #3.1 – There is no solution at the moment ?
So far there is no available solution, but Avast is aware of this issue. Also, you don’t need to worry about your security, it doesn’t have any impact on Avast detection.
Additional Notes
Although we have used Avast Free Antivirus 2018 screenshots in this article, these steps are also applicable for all Avast Antivirus solutions (i.e. also for Avast Pro Antivirus, Avast Internet Security, or Avast Premier) running the latest version available.
We have also a similar guide for compatibility issues on Windows 8 / 8.1.
If you are having any different problems with Avast Antivirus and Windows 10, just let us know in the comments below. Same if the described solutions and fixes didn’t work for you.