Antivirus program won't let me disable automatic service

  • Thread starter Thread starter jbclem
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J

jbclem

Antivirus programs usually set up services(such as updating) so that they start up when Win2000 starts up and run
automatically. I always stop these from running and switch them from automatic to manual. Today I updated my Avast
antivirus, and it's found a way to prevent me from changing or disabling two services that it wants at startup. In
other words, it's taken control of my computer away from me. Before I uninstall this arrogant program, can someone help
me figure out how to undo this.

What happens is that when I go into the Microsoft Management Console, and look in the Properties for either of these
services, I can change the "startup type" from automatic to manual. But when I click on Apply, or OK, a box comes up
that says "Microsoft Management Console" and "Access is Denied". I can only click on Cancel to close the Properties box
without making any changes.

Any suggestions?

John
 
jbclem said:
Antivirus programs usually set up services(such as updating) so that they
start up when Win2000 starts up and run
automatically. I always stop these from running and switch them from
automatic to manual. Today I updated my Avast
antivirus, and it's found a way to prevent me from changing or disabling
two services that it wants at startup. In
other words, it's taken control of my computer away from me. Before I
uninstall this arrogant program, can someone help
me figure out how to undo this.

What happens is that when I go into the Microsoft Management Console, and
look in the Properties for either of these
services, I can change the "startup type" from automatic to manual. But
when I click on Apply, or OK, a box comes up
that says "Microsoft Management Console" and "Access is Denied". I can
only click on Cancel to close the Properties box
without making any changes.

Any suggestions?

John
Click to expand...

Services (and their startup types) are defined here:
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services.
You might find that the Avast service has restrictive
permissions. Use regedt32.exe to modify them.
Alternatively, check the Avast FAQs.
 
Did you look in the program's options? From within the program you
should be able to configure things to your preferences.

John
 
Just the kind of information I was looking for, I'd forgotten how permissions were modified. But I've looked at the
registry section you mentioned, and when I check under Security/Permissions for various Avast keys, the word Permissions
is grayed out. I seem to recall there is a way to change this but I don't remember how. Can you help me with this.

John
 
Looked both in the Options and in the help files, but no mention that I could find. This looks like a deliberate change
from the previous version, where I could change the services designation without a problem.

John
 
I won't have access to a Win2000 PC until much later but if
I recall correctly then you may need to seize ownership of
protected keys before you can modify their security settings.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by "seize ownership", but I checked and under one of the keys in question, I was listed on
the Owner list, but not under Permissions. I tried to add myself with "full control" permissions, checking all the
"allow" permissions, but when I tried to click on Apply or OK, a window came up that said "unable to save permission
changes on Avast Antivirus. Access is denied." I'm not allowed to change anything under this key. I can't exit this
window unless I hit ESC or undo all the changes I made.

If there's no solution I'm just going to uninstall this POS program and reinstall the earlier version.

John
 
Under the "Advanced" menu you can set the owner of a key,
same as you can set the owner of a folder.
 
hello there what it is when i try and go into a application then a box pops up and and gives me a choice of programs to start can anyone help me and tell how i can fix this please :cry:
 
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