Avast update interferes in running of programs on Windows 10

Bleeping Computer magazine warned that fixing a bug in the AVG and Avast applications led to changes in the registry, which caused problems in the system. Updating Avast now interferes in running of programs on Windows 10.

Complaints from users began to arrive last week, when people found that they could not start Microsoft Office and other applications.

As we wrote, before Windows updates lead to failures in computers with Sophos, Avast and Avira software, and the specialists of these companies eventually found out what was the cause of these problems. Initially, it was assumed that a similar case takes place here.

“As it turned out, the problem was not with the cumulative update for Windows 10, but with the update for Avast and AVG products“, – told Bleeping Computer journalists.

So, one of the components of the AVG or Avast security solutions causes the creation of an Image File Execution Options entry in the registry for various applications, which should eventually be launched through the filter C:\Program Files(x86)\AVAST Software\Avast Cleanup\autoreactivator.exe.

A recent update broke something in this filter, and as a result, the programs simply could not start. When I tried to start, the OS showed a message that it could not find the necessary file, as in the example below.

Interestingly, this is not the first time when was encountered this error, as on the network you can find similar complaints related to autoreactivator.exe dated 2017.

According to an official post on the Avast forum, the developers have already prepared an automatic update that solves the problem. The company’s engineers also provided a special URL to download this hotfix.

“If you don’t want to wait for the automatic update, please download the installation package here: https://honzik.avcdn.net/setup/avast-tu/release/avast_cleanup_online_setup.exe and reinstall the product manually to get the latest available version including the fix. We’ve tested all the affected scenarios and everything shall get back to the original state after the update/reinstall to the latest version. We sincerely apologize for all the inconveniences. Please let us know how it works for you”, — wrote Avast representatives.

In addition, this bug was added to a long list of problems that arise after installing Windows 10 2004 (a lot of bugs were found in the release and its deployment has been suspended for now).

However, Microsoft reports that the bug also affected Windows 10 2004, Windows 10 1909, Windows 10 1903, Windows Server 2004, Windows Server 1909, as well as Windows Server 1903. Interestingly, the company’s message also mentions the cumulative update for Windows 10 2004 KB4557959. However, it is unclear whether it causes a conflict with Avast products.