[RESOLVED] Oops, files still becoming "read only."
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Thread: [RESOLVED] Oops, files still becoming "read only."

  1. #1
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    Resolved [RESOLVED] Oops, files still becoming "read only."

    From earlier post "Files suddenly behaving as 'read only' "

    I'm using Windows 7 and having a problem with a "read only" attribute that doesn't appear on file attributes.

    When I open a "doc" file in Microsoft Word 97 my Avast program gives me a warning that "a program" has opened a "read only" file and asks if I want that program to access that file. I tell it okay. When I go to save the file Windows (not Avast) tells me the file is "read only" and kills the saving process.
    Yep, the problem seems to be caused by Avast, I spoke too soon on the earlier thread (posted right after start up), because a few minutes later the behavior began again. I "permanently disabled" Avast, shut down the computer, started it up again, and Word 97 has been opening, modifying and saving files for more than ten minutes without problem.

    Perhaps this thread should be moved to software? Perhaps I should contact Avast? I'll do whatever you suggest, but my experience with Avast is they will disavow support for Windows 7, will tell me to upgrade to 10, and I'm not in a position to do that.

  2. #2
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    Avast seems to indicate that they still support Windows 7. This problem could possibly affect Windows 8 and 10 also. It couldn't hurt to notify Avast, although I am still not betting on a lot of support.

    https://support.avast.com/en-ae/arti...-Windows-7-FAQ

    https://blog.avast.com/avast-still-s...%20two%20years.

  3. #3
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    Yes, noted. Thank you. I registered and posted the problem in their user forum. I'll leave this unresolved until I hear back from them and will pass it along.

  4. #4
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    Problem is definitely Avast. I enabled the "shields" and the problem came back. Disabled them and the problem went away, BUT my Internet connection was trashed. The icon in my systray showed the Internet access as being connected, and a left click on the icon verified that access, but three different browsers Firefox, Chrome and Opera, report that dns could not be found and that Internet connection was not extant. Reboot solved that, but...

    Avast wants me to "post a SHA-256 hash" of the executable file. If I had any idea what that was or how to do it I would be happy to comply. I replied asking for more guidance, but it is too soon to expect a reply.

    My intention now is to uninstall Avast, because it appears to have become corrupted somehow. My question is, should I download and reinstall it? Is it still considered a good anti-virus program? Are others having issues with it? Is there a better free one?

  5. #5
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  6. #6
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    Is the Power Shell part of Windows 7, or is it something I have to download? I guess the question is, is the "Get-FileHash" a command line inherent in Windows, or does some process precede use of it?

    The next question I need answered is which executable they want the hash from, because there are several in the folder, and the names do not make it clear what they do. (One of them apparently runs the UI, but I doubt that's the one they want.)

  7. #7
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    PowerShell is included in Windows 7.

    The .exe to get the hash of would be the one that you can see running in Task Manager.

  8. #8
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    Okay, got it. Thanks again. I will report back as the adventure continues.

  9. #9
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  10. #10
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    This is the result I get using Power Shell.

    PS C:\Users\William> Get-FileHash c:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe
    The term 'Get-FileHash' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file,
    or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify t
    hat the path is correct and try again.
    At line:1 char:13
    + Get-FileHash <<<< c:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastUI.exe
    + CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (Get-FileHash:String) [], CommandNotFoundE
    xception
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

  11. #11
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    I tried it on a Windows 7 system and got the same error. It may be that a later version of PowerShell is required.

    You can try NirSoft's utility instead:

    https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/hash_my_files.html

  12. #12
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    This is turning into a cluster... The Nirsoft thing outputs a blank text file if I run it from the command line. If I run the user interface and drig the AvastUI.exe in it generates three hashes, but not the SHA256 that Avast requested. (MD5, SHA1 and SHA356) It also offers no way to do anything with those hashes, as in copy them, save them to a file...

    I'm asking here because the Avast message board asked for the hash and has not responded since. I'm about done with Avast. Is there another free, or inexpensive, anti-virus program I can use?

  13. #13
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    More free hash tools:

    From a Command Prompt, try:
    Code:
    CertUtil -hashfile C:\<PathToFile>\FileName.ext SHA256

    https://www.raymond.cc/blog/7-tools-...5-sha1-hashes/
    ComputeHash 2.0
    7-Zip
    HashTab
    CertUtil

    https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/free-h...ile-integrity/

    https://sourceforge.net/projects/filechecksumutility/

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/ha...ot:overviewtab

    Unfortunately, you are using Windows 7, so finding a decent antivirus solution could be an issue. Support for Windows 7 may be limited or have and end-of-life date that is as yet unknown.

  14. #14
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    I switched from Avast free to Bitdefender free on my Win 7 about 6 months ago and have had no problems. Uses less resources too because it doesn't have any unwanted/un-needed add-ons. I also no longer get Avast nag ads from my systray telling me to upgrade.

    There is no mention anywhere when/if it will no longer support Win 7 but I suspect that as long as there are still businesses using Win 7 ESU which will be available until 2023 then it will continue to work.


    https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

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  15. #15
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    Thanks, all. I am uninstalling Avast and will install Bitdefender. Marking this resolved.

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