I've just completed a virus scan using Avast! The report said some files were 'unable to be scanned'

Question

What do I do with these files?

Answer 1

I've been using Avast for a couple of years and never had that occur.  Did it say what files, or what type of files they were?

I suggest writing to them at

http://support.avast.com/

at find out.

Answer 2

some files are unable to be scanned if they are being used do not delete them. if you are unsure reboot your pc in safe mode and re run your anti virus. although avast is a good AV would recommend AVG  no reason why you cant have both but only one can be running at any given time.

to disable a prog from autostarting.   start\run\(msconfig)\startup      on this menu you can choose which progs start when you pc boots always leave your AV, firewall and web connection running. hope you find this helpful

Answer 3

Hello,

(ANS) The answer is DON'T worry! why? error messages like this mean that the virus scanner could not look inside the file because the file was locked or was in use by another program or process.

For example: - Windows uses virtual memory and this emulates physical memory and does this using a file called "pagefile.sys" so the virus scanner wont open this file during the detection process.

**Most of the locked file or files in use are usually genuine files & so probably shouldn't be anything to worry! about. Such error messages prove the scanner is working correctly & such errors are very common.

Ivan.

Answer 4

The filenames would help us help you.

Answer 5

You have to do a boot time scan if possible since they are most likely in use by some process which is preventing them from being scanned

Answer 6

Nora- do not run two anti virus programs at the same time. They are system files and unable to be opened/scanned.

Answer 7

uninstall any security program you are using and install these free programs

1-Anti-virus

a-avira personal classic edition(free)

http://www.download.com/Avira-AntiVir-Pe...

2-Anti-spyware

a-super antispyware free

http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware...

b- a-squared free

http://www.download.com/A-squared-Free/3...

c-spyware terminator(free)

http://www.download.com/Spyware-Terminat...

3-firewall

a-comodo firewall pro(free) (after installing it go to firewall tab then stealth port wizard and set it to block all incoming conections)

note:this won't p2p propgrams(limewire,bitcomet and etc)

http://www.download.com/Comodo-Firewall-...

4-browser

a-firefox 3.0

http://www.download.com/mozilla-firefox/...

5-browser add-ons

a-mcafee site advisor

you will have to download the program from here

http://www.download.com/McAfee-SiteAdvis...

and then download the firefox extension from here

http://www.download.com/McAfee-SiteAdvis...

6-pc utilties

a-ccleaner

http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-21...

note: these programs are 100% free and 100% the best

Answer 8

It could be because the file is running, close out of the program through task manager and try scanning again.

(open task manager, go to processes, and find the files that couldn't be scanned, right click, hit "End Process", then try scanning  again)