Avast Installation/Configuration Guide (Tested with Free version 24.12.6142a (build 24.12.9725.0):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

# Preperation:
1) Get the full offline installer for Avast - Free Antivirus v24.12.6142a (build 24.12.9725.0).
Preferabaly, you should use the program branch that is one year behind the current one, because it's always far more stable! (v22.xx = year 2022 / v23.xx = year 2023)
Alternatively, the latest installer is provided here:
https://files.avast.com/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe
2) DISCONNECT physically from the internet, and DON'T reconnect until this guide tells you to!
3) UNINSTALL old Avast version (from 'Control Panel' > 'Programs and Features').
If you experience difficulties uninstalling, then temporary reconnect to the internet and get Avast's Uninstall Utility here:
https://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility/
4) Reboot.
5) If they exist, delete the following folders (or their equivalents on older Windows versions):
* C:\Program Files\Avast Software
* C:\Program Files\Common Files\AV\avast! Antivirus
* C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avast Software
* C:\ProgramData\Avast Software
* C:\Users\*****\AppData\Roaming\Avast Software
* C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Avast Software
6) If they exist, delete the following reg. strings:
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\avast
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\avastav
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\avastconfigfile
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\avastlicfile
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AvastPersistentStorage
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\avastsoundsfile
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\avastthemefile
* HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\avastvpnfile
* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Avast Software
* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Avast Software
7) DISABLE your software firewall.
Yes, the installation process has got such aggressive connection features, that depending on your configuration, a software firewall might seriously obstruct it!

# Installation:
1) Launch the installer.
2) Choose your desired language in the top right corner.
3) If you get a offer to install some kind of third party software (Google Chrome / Google Toolbar), then make sure that you UNCHECK it at the bottom left corner.
4) Click "Customize" (right below the big "Install" booby trap button).
5) UNCHECK all components, EXCEPT for the "File Shield", which is the only component that you really need!
6) Choose your desired program directory above, then click "Install", wait for the installation to finish and the Avast icon to appear in your system tray.
If the Avast icon doesn't appear in your system tray, then something probably went wrong..
If so, then use Avast's Uninstall Utility to clean things up and start all over again:
http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility/
7) Reboot your computer (for all installed components to register properly).

# Configuration:
1) Click on the Avast icon that resides in the system tray (this will bring up Avast's main window, although it might be slow to respond, the very first time).
2) CLOSE (x) the "Welcome! Please start here" pop-up.
3) Click on 'Menu' > 'Settings' (at the top).
4) Under 'General' > 'Update' > 'Virus definitions..; click on "More options" and UNCHECK "Enable streaming update" (Note: Virus definitions will still be updated automatically).
5) Under 'General' > 'Update' > 'Avast Free Antivirus..'; click on "More options" and CHECK "I'll update it manually".
6) Under 'General' > 'Notifications' > 'Notifications'; UNCHECK "Check for incorrect date and time".
7) Under 'General' > 'Notifications' > 'External storage notifications'; CHECK "Don't ask to scan it".
8) Under 'General' > 'Notifications' > 'Pop-up notifications treatment'; CHECK "Limited Mode".
9) Under 'General' > 'Personal Privacy'; UNCHECK all options!
10) Under 'Protection' > 'Virus Scans' > 'Full Virus Scan'; UNCHECK "Notify me about potentially unwanted programs".
11) Under 'Protection' > 'Virus Scans' > 'Full Virus Scan' > 'Parts of your PC to scan'; UNCHECK "All removable media".
12) Under 'Protection' > 'Virus Scans' > 'Targeted Scan'; UNCHECK "Notify me about potentially unwanted programs".
13) Under 'Protection' > 'Virus Scans' > 'Explorer Scan'; UNCHECK "Notify me about potentially unwanted programs".
14) Under 'Protection' > 'Virus Scans' > 'Boot-Time Scan'; UNCHECK "Notify me about potentially unwanted programs".
15) Under 'Protection' > 'Core Shields' > 'What to do with' > 'Malware'; CHECK "Ask".
16) Under 'Protection' > 'Core Shields' > 'What to do with' > 'Malware'; UNCHECK "Enable CyberCapture".
17) Under 'Protection' > 'Core Shields' > 'What to do with' > 'Potentially unwanted programs & tools'; UNCHECK "Notify me about potentially unwanted programs" (should already be unchecked).
18) Under 'Protection' > 'Core Shields' > 'Configure shield settings' > 'File Shield' ; UNCHECK "Scan auto-run items when removable media is attached".
19) Close Avast's main window.

# Restricting:
1) Open Windows' Task Scheduler ('Start' > 'Run' > 'taskschd.msc').
2) In the left pane, click on 'Task Scheduler Library'.
3) In the middle pane, right-click on 'Avast Emergency Update' and choose "DISABLE". (should not be present)
4) In the left pane, click on 'Task Scheduler Library' > 'Avast Software'.
5) In the middle pane, right-click on 'Avast Emergency Update' and choose "DISABLE".
6) In the middle pane, right-click on 'Overseer' and choose "DISABLE".
7) Close Windows' Task Scheduler.

# Blocking:
1) ENABLE your software firewall again.
2) Use your software firewall to BLOCK the following files:
* C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\aswToolsSvc.exe
* C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe
* C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\AvBugReport.exe
* C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\AvEmUpdate.exe
* C:\Program Files\Avast Software\Avast\setup\overseer.exe
* C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avast Software\Overseer\overseer.exe
* avast_av_online_setup.exe (a temp file, which will try to connect at some later point in time)

# Fixing:
1) Open Windows' Registry Editor ('Start' > 'Run' > 'regedit').
2) Navigate to the following key (if it doesn't exist, then create it):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\QualityCompat
Make sure that it contains the following 'DWORD (32-bit) Value' (if it doesn't exist, then create it):
cadca5fe-87d3-4b96-b7fb-a231484277cc
..with its 'Value data' set to "0".
This is VERY important, if you want to continue receiving security updates from Microsoft, after December 2017.
More info here:
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4072699/

# Completing:
1) Turn OFF your computer.
2) CONNECT physically to the internet again.
3) Turn ON your computer again.

# Final Steps:
1) Click on the Avast icon that resides in the system tray again (this will bring up Avast's main window).
2) CLOSE (x) the "Sign In to your Avast Account" nag pop-up.
3) If it says "Important update available", click "Ignore message" (right above the big "Update Now" booby trap button).

# Notes:
- If you ever get notified of a new program version, don't let Avast update itself automatically (click "Ignore" instead).
- Whenever you want to install a new program version, DO NOT auto-update the program!
Instead, follow this 'Installation / Configuration Guide' from beginning to end all over again!

--

Additional Tweaks/Notes:
------------------------

If you don't want to be disturbed, under any circumstances, go to 'Settings' > 'General' > 'Notifications' and use the following settings (not recommended):
* "Sounds" = UNCHECK.
* "Silent mode" = CHECK.