Remove the Popup Ads in Avira Antivir

While Avira Antivir has one of the best detection rates of all antivirus, one of the main disadvantages is that after updating, you get annoying full-screen ads nagging you to upgrade. To remove these, read on.

Steps

Using Avira Popup Killer utility

  1. Download the "Avira Popup Killer" application. Search on Google for the download link.
  2. Install the application. Same as with any other Windows application: you simply click on the installer. You'll notice its icon in the Windows System Tray once installed.
  3. Enjoy your popup-free Avira Free antivirus!

Windows 2000 / Windows XP Pro

  1. Go to Start > Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
  3. Navigate through User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System.
  4. Double click "Don't run specified Windows applications".
  5. Enable it and click show.
  6. Add "avnotify.exe" and "ipmgui.exe".
  7. Click OK on all open windows.
  8. Restart.

Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista Business/Ultimate, Windows 7

  1. Start > Run: secpol.msc (You can also access this program through 'Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy' this is useful if it is easier to find the location of this rather than the file name)
  2. Right click "Software Restriction Policies" and choose "New Software Restriction Policies." (Skip this step if there are subfolders in Software Restriction Policies already.)
  3. Right Click "Additional Rule" folder > New Path Rule.
  4. Click Browse and navigate to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ (C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\ on 64-bit systems) and double-click avnotify.exe
  5. Make sure the "Security Level" dropdown menu is selected as "Disallowed" (default value) and click OK
  6. Repeat steps 3-5 but this time for ipmgui.exe instead of avnotify.exe
  7. If you would like to make sure it went through correctly, open the Additional Rules folder, and verify the path and security level. There should one path to avnotify.exe and another one to ipmgui.exe, both with security level "Disallowed".

Windows XP Home

  1. Boot into Safe Mode.
  2. Log into an account with administrator privileges.
  3. Open [driveinstalledon]:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic.
  4. Right click on avnotify.exe and go to Properties > Security > Advanced.
  5. Click on Edit-> Traverse Folder / Execute File-> deny-> OK.
  6. Right click on ipmgui.exe and go to Properties > Security > Advanced.
  7. Click on Edit-> Traverse Folder / Execute File-> deny-> OK.
  8. Repeat for all users.
  9. Reboot your computer normally.

Alternate option

  1. Run the command "cacls “%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Program Files\Avira\Insertpath\avnotify.exe” /e /d Everyone"
  2. Run the command "cacls “%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Program Files\Avira\Insertpath\ipmgui.exe” /e /d Everyone" to change the rights without restarting. Everyone can be exchanged with another user account when needed

Windows Vista Home or Windows 7 Home Premium

  1. Open Avira and press F8 to open it's configuration (or use Extras > Configuration menu).
  2. Go to General > Security and remove checkbox from "Protect files and registry entries from manipulation" in the "Product protection" section.
  3. Click Apply and agree with the following window.
  4. Make sure to undo this later by enabling "Protect files and registry entries from manipulation" back!
  5. Go to C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop (C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\Antivirus for 64-bit systems).
  6. Right-click avnotify.exe and go to Properties > Security.
  7. Under the group or username SYSTEM, click edit.
  8. Put a checkmark under the DENY comlumn for "read and execute".
  9. Right-click ipmgui.exe and go to Properties > Security.
  10. Under the group or username SYSTEM, click edit.
  11. Put a checkmark under the DENY comlumn for "read and execute".
  12. Note: If you receive an error "Unable to save permissions on avnotify", boot into safe mode (reboot and press F8 while it starts up until you get prompted with the windows boot menu).

Using Avira Itself

  1. Open Avira and press F8 to open its configuration (or use Extras > Configuration menu).
  2. Go to General > Security and uncheck the "Protect files and registry entries from manipulation" checkbox in the "Product protection" section.
  3. Click Apply and agree with the following window.
  4. Go back to General > Security and recheck the "Protect files and registry entries from manipulation" checkbox in the "Product protection" section.
  5. Go to Control Panel/Avira free antivirus
  6. Go to quarantine and press add suspicious file to quarantine. Go to Avira folder and add avnotify.exe

Tips

  • If you get an "Access Denied" error make sure you have administrator permissions. If you are an admin and you still can't block the file, go to the General tab in Avira's settings (Extras > Configuration - or - hit F8)(make sure you have enabled "Expert Mode") and click on Security. Uncheck Protect Windows hosts files from changes and Protect files and registry entries from manipulation. Now you can edit the security properties of avnotify.exe. Remember to reactivate those Avira's security settings to prevent a future antivirus failure.
  • In AntiVir 2012 the file ipmgui.exe has to be blocked the same way as explained above for the file avnotify.exe
  • Before giving up, try setting a restriction on avnotify.dll as well.

Warnings

  • Disabling the popup ads via Administrative Templates in the Local Group Policy Editor, Software Restriction Policies in the Local Security Policy editor or denial of Read & execution permission in the properties will trigger a system prompt upon log-in and after each subsequent attempt to show popup. It will steal focus from application you are currently working with and will be shown above it. So, it could be inappropriate to use these methods. Especially if computer is used for gaming.
  • Disabling the popup ads does not constitute a violation of Avira's End-user license agreement (EULA). The licensee is not authorized without the written express permission of Avira, to change, translate, retro-develop, decompile or disassemble the Software, or to create works derived from the Software or the documentation, or to reproduce, translate, change or create works derived from the documentation , insofar as this is not absolutely necessary within the context of contractual use. Understand that Avira has the right to terminate your software without notice in the case of substantial violations of contractual obligations.
  • CAUTION: Group Policy Editor and the other tools mentioned in this article are very powerful. Improper use may cause your operating system to stop functioning correctly, which could require reinstallation. Please, do not mess around in there unless you know exactly what you're doing.[1]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.theeldergeek.com/group_policy_editor.htm
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