By Reports indicate that Windows PCs are encountering startup crashes, with the blame primarily falling on a particular antivirus software. While antivirus programs are known to sometimes impact PC performance, a complete system shutdown during startup is a new and alarming issue that users have been vocal about this week.
The culprit behind these startup freezes appears to be Avira security software. Numerous reports on various forums highlight that users began experiencing freezing upon updating Avira. Even in an era where many users opt out of antivirus software, those who have installed Avira on their Windows 10 or 11 PCs are likely to encounter these freezing issues.
What’s particularly concerning is that uninstalling this specific antivirus seems to be the only effective solution. Users have observed their system’s processor and memory being fully utilized even during the freeze, rendering their PCs entirely unusable within a mere 10 to 15 seconds after startup. Basic functions like refreshing the desktop or renaming files become impossible.
The frustration among affected users is evident, with many expressing their resolve to never reinstall the app on their systems. While the company responsible for the antivirus software acknowledges the complaints regarding PC freezing post-update, there’s no clear indication of an imminent fix. However, it’s hoped that the company addresses this issue promptly, potentially by rolling back the update or providing a downgrade option for affected PCs.
