Fixed a bug in AVG and Avast security applications that set registry keys that prevented applications from running on Windows 10.
Last week, Windows 10 users were complaining that they couldn't launch Microsoft Office and other applications on Windows 10.
When they tried to do so, they received a message similar to “Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\WORD.EXE'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again,” as shown below.
While it was initially thought to be an Avast or Windows 10 cumulative update issue, it was confirmed that the issue was caused by Avast and AVG programs installed on a computer.
A component of AVG/Avast security software causes the creation of image file execution options registry entries for various applications that would launch applications through a filter that displays C:\Program Files (x86)\AVAST Software\Avast Cleanup\autoreactivator.exe.
A recent update "broke" something in this filter that made programs unable to start.
This problem isn't the first time Avast software has encountered this issue. Users reported the same Autoreactivator.exe error in 2017.
According to a post on the Avast forums, an automatic update has been released that resolves the issue. Avast also provides a URL to download this update.
This issue was also added to the Windows 10 2004 health dashboard, where Microsoft states that it affected Windows 10 2004, Windows 10 1909, Windows 10 1903, Windows Server 2004, Windows Server 1909, and Windows Server 1903.
In the status update, Microsoft also mentions the Windows 10 2004 cumulative update KB4557959, but it is not known whether this update caused a conflict with Avast software.
