Avast Resident Scanner

Unlike other AV software I have used, the Avast Resident scanner is constantly scanning files on my computer that aren't being accessed - it is like it is preforming a system scan without me telling it to. Is there a way to stop this?

 

You must be talking about the Standard shield. No its not constantly scanning files on your computer, its actually only scanning files that are being active on your computer, meaning those that are being accessed or changed or whatnot.

If you want to stop this, just click Terminate when you select Standard Shield in the On-Access Protection Control Panel.

 

Problem resolved:
I had Windows Media player playing internet radio - Avast was either constantly scanning the stream and/or the refreshing web page loaded in Media player. This stopped when I closed media player.

I recently reinstalled Vista on my new HP to get rid of bloatware and Norton AV. However, I am finding my system less responsive now, even though I am using fewer resources. Is Avast slower than Norton? or is it just scanning more stuff (i.e copying or moving files)?

 

Check the Indexing settings. If you are indexing the entire drive it could possibly take weeks to complete the initial index build.

 

Avast seems to do this only when sending data back 'n' forth on the net. At least that's the only time I see the Avast ball rotating. I could be wrong as I merged the other Icon.

 

Are you speaking of Avast VRDB or something in Vista? I'm not too familiar yet with either Avast or Vista

 

^He's talking about Indexing on your Harddrive which IMO and just about everyone elses is useless. To disable, right click your harddrive(s)>properties>uncheck the "index this drive for faster searching"

 

Thanks for the advice - turning off indexing made a noticeable difference.
There is less hard drive activity, and Avast is no longer constantly checking the file C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\MSS.chk

I have also told it to stop checking dll files on access. I'm not sure how smart this is, but I am hoping the web shield will prevent dll from becoming infected in the first place.

Also, I notice that when I use windows explorer, Avast scans some of the files in the folder I am viewing (eg. doc, exe, jpg). It also scans files I copy, move, or delete. Is there a way to turn this off?

 

Yeah, just terminate the Web Shield via On-Access Protection Panel.

 

I do not want to terminate web shield.

I want Avast to stop scanning files in Windows Explorer and when I copy, move, or delete files using Windows Explorer.

 

Oh. Okay. Then thats when you turn off Standard Shield. Thats the one that scans all of your things.

 

Is there any reason to turn it off? It doesn't seem to lag me at all.

Also, what does it mean when the little ball is spinning? And do most of you leave the thing to scan constantly?

 

I don't think it should be turned off completely, as it will help catch hidden viruses. However, I work with Windows explorer and a lot of files frequently. On a notebook with a 5200rmp HDD, there is noticeable lag when Avast is trying to scan everything that moves. It also heats up my palm rest.

Turning off certain features in the Standard shield will significantly improve performance - like scanning dll files on access or 'scan created/modified' files. However, I still feel Avast does not offer enough customization. I would like it to stop scanning commonly used executables like MS Office or AutoCAD or Winamp, etc... and to stop scanning folder contents when accessed by Windows Explorer (eg. if you save a document, windows explorer will refresh and Avast will again scan the contents of the folder). Perhaps then it is best to just turn of standard shield and let the Web Shield and Windows Defender protect your computer

Ball spinning means it's scanning