On Sat, 30 Jul 2016 18:02:37 -0400, Mort wrote:

Hi,

My free Avast antivirus program showed that all 3 modes are turned off
yesterday. They cannot be turned on again. Avast troubleshoot leads to a
notice that a program is blocking my Avast; apparently from
"Avast.software.a.s." An Avast scan was clean. An antispyware scan
found 2 Trojans, which when deleted did not help. Defender scan gave
only an error message. Windows Malicious Tool scan was clean. I deleted
the Avast, then downloaded a new copy = same problem. My smaller travel
laptop is OK.

What can I do to find and delete the rogue program? If I am not
successful, then can anyone recommend another free antivirus program,
please.Many thanks.

Mort,

A rogue program is one possibility. However, a rogue mouse click is
another !!

Have a look at this pictu http://tinypic.com/r/15n6sf5/9

Go to Avast user interface and select Avast shields control.
The above picture (highlighted item) shows one possibility.