Avast Installation Issuected

When I tried to install the latest version of Avast Antivirus, the following error message popped up:

The installer has detected corripted Avast Antivirus installation on this computer (service 'aswSP' is running), thus this installer cannot continue.

Use the 'avastclear.exe' utility to fix the problem or contact the avast! support team.

I did a search for all Avast files on my hard drive and found a lot (over a GB of data!) files, including Security Catalogs, MANIFEST files and XML documents that obviously did not get deleted when I uninstalled the program.

Can I just delete the files or should I download the avastclear.exe utility? Where can I FIND said utility? This is the first time I've seen anything remotely like this. HELP!!

 

https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
A simple 'Avast Clear' internet search finds it immediately.

Read the guide to using it carefully and make sure you RESTART your system when it advises and each time it has finished running.

 

Thank you! I will check it out. Question: how do I start Windows 10 in Safe Mode?

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode

 

The files I need to remove are (mostly) in the WinSxS folder. When I try to move them to 1 folder so I don't remove something I shouldn't, I get a "permissions" error. After a little investigating, I discovered that all the files are "owned" by "Trusted Installer," which is someone/something my old tech Super Grouch put on. I have mostly figured out how to change advanced permissions, but don't know exactly which entry under search results in Advanced Security Settings to choose.

Under Advanced Security Settings--Principals:
Trusted Installer-Full Control-inherited from WinSxS
Administrators (HP-Laptop\Adminstrators)-Read&Execute-inherited fromWinSxs
SYSTEM (this and last 2 Read&Execute--inherited from WinSxS
Users (Hp-Laptop\Users)
ALLAPPLICATION PACKAGES

Once I click "change" next to owner, a box labeled "Select User or Group" comes up. I clicked on Advanced. Another box pops up. Under Common Queries, I clicked "Find Now" and I list of names appears: Adminstrator, Adminstrators, DeenaJ.Shaffer (my tech ALWAYS misspells my name, no matter how many times I correct him!), Default Account, etc. Which one do I choose? My User Account type is Local Account/Adminstrator.

ANY help you can give me would be appreciated!

 

Did you just follow the Avast Clear instructions by logging in to Windows safe mode and then right clicking the Avast Clear file and choosing RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR?
You should NOT be trying to move anything manually.

 

All so this one thing can all so cause issues that most people don't know about.

In the %appdata% folder look for any thing that might co inside with avast.And remove it compeletely.This %appdata% folder can cause some major issues with new and older programs.

 

I'm not understanding that first sentence below at all.
Using the official removal tool in Windows Safe Mode should not require any manual deletion or removal. That is actually the point of it.
To save users from making catastrophic mistakes by messing with files before running the Tool at least a couple of times.

 

What most people don't realize that most software any more has a hidden folder and the regular uninstaller does not uninstall it.

The %appdata% folder is where most of the settings and stuff are that are hidden from view.

Sorry if i was not to clear on it.

But in most cases if there is an issue with a program it is best to delete all of the folders that are associated with that program only.This will help with a clean install once again.

Unless you've told Windows to display hidden files and folders, you won't see it. And if you can't see it, you can't click it. But there's a trick that will get you into the folder. Click Start or go to the Windows 8 Search charm, type %appdata% , and select the Roaming file.

This folder is on Xp,7,vista,8,8.1 and windows 10.

Here read up on the Appdata folder.
https://askleo.com/whats-the-appdata-roaming-folder/

 

I suggest you read this thread again but carefully. There is no mention of the 'regular uninstaller'. The OP has - for their own system safety - already been referred to the specialist official removal tool - 'Avast Clear'.
All the well known AV and security programs have official full uninstaller tools.
That's what a user should employ, carefully and correctly as its instructions show.
When someone tells a user to start messing about inside system files before they have even used the correct tool, then that user is being placed as serious risk if they don't have something equivalent to expert knowledge.
That is why those program developers issue special removal tools.