After updating Windows 7, "update.exe" has application errors

[Wineclaw]

I finally stopped being lazy a few days ago and caught up on updating my PC. I let Windows Update do its thing while I was out and came back to a freshly updated and restarted computer. No issues.

Later that evening, I got booted out of a fullscreen game I was playing and was greeted with:

update.exe - Application Error
The instruction at 0x74a3e5a8 referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be read. Click on OK to terminate the program

Since then, two times a day, I get an error like that. I've never had an issue like this before.

I took a screenshot of the task manager showing the processes that close out when I click OK on that dialog box:

http://i.imgur.com/rkqangi.png

I've already tried SFC /scannow. No issues found.

Specs:

Windows 7 64-bit
i5-3750K
Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
7950 HD

 

[muskit]

I have a question for anybody experiencing this error and you are using Avira.

Are you running any other security software along with Avira and what type is it? If you reply to this, please include your Windows version and if 32-bit or 64-bit.

I am attempting to get answers from Avira and I know what I have. It would help if I knew what you have too!

Thanks!

Malwarebytes
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

 

[Tinstaafl]

I have a question for anybody experiencing this error and you are using Avira.

Are you running any other security software along with Avira and what type is it? If you reply to this, please include your Windows version and if 32-bit or 64-bit.

I am attempting to get answers from Avira and I know what I have. It would help if I knew what you have too!

Thanks!

Malwarebytes
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Hey muskit, thanks! Is that Malwarebytes Anti-malware or Anti-exploit? I have both, but only MBAE Anti-exploit is real-time. I run MBAM on demand scans only...

Update: As a test, I have disabled protection on MBAE and have NOT had any more errors so far today.

 

[steekoo]

The problem seems to be fixed by Avira.

Edit: Nope I was wrong. The error still appears.

 

[Murder666]

Malwarebytes
Win7 Ultimate 64 bit

 

[Wineclaw]

Switched Antivirus software and it has been 24 hours since my last error message.

 

[Tinstaafl]

Malwarebytes
Win7 Ultimate 64 bit

Hi Murder666, which version of Malwarebytes? MBAM or MBAE? Free or Premium?

Thanks!

 

[Tinstaafl]

Switched Antivirus software and it has been 24 hours since my last error message.

Hi Wineclaw, that makes sense.

This general type of error can be very broad and sometimes even include hardware errors, but in this specific instance, the key is "referenced memory at 0x00000000" (Dereferencing null pointers). This is a typical programming bug (e.g. use after free, null pointer dereference, out of bounds array access)

Basically the error is saying "the software has tried to access memory that doesn't exist or it is not authorized to use".

There is either an error in the application code, or possibly another app on the computer is preventing it from running correctly.

Technically this sort of thing is a segmentation fault (often shortened to segfault) or access violation.

For inquiring minds, lots of details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmentation_fault

 

[Kalcipher]

I have a question for anybody experiencing this error and you are using Avira.

Are you running any other security software along with Avira and what type is it? If you reply to this, please include your Windows version and if 32-bit or 64-bit.

I am attempting to get answers from Avira and I know what I have. It would help if I knew what you have too!

Thanks!

Win 7 Pro 64
Avira
Malwarebytes
Spybot S&D
CCleaner monitoring

My error pop-up started on the 24th. Usually several x/day. It's not unusual for me to get non-invasive errors on this machine since I have completely customized the Registry, Start-up & Services... So I didn't think much of it. But, I always try to track down the origin.

 

[Tinstaafl]

I have a question for anybody experiencing this error and you are using Avira.

Are you running any other security software along with Avira and what type is it? If you reply to this, please include your Windows version and if 32-bit or 64-bit.

I am attempting to get answers from Avira and I know what I have. It would help if I knew what you have too!

Thanks!

Win 7 Pro 64
Avira
Malwarebytes
Spybot S&D
CCleaner monitoring

My error pop-up started on the 24th. Usually several x/day. It's not unusual for me to get non-invasive errors on this machine since I have completely customized the Registry, Start-up & Services... So I didn't think much of it. But, I always try to track down the origin.

Hi Kalcipher, thanks for your input! It's mostly just an annoyance, and doesn't seem to interfere with anything. Just the same I'd like to track it down.

I think it's probably related to an Avira update, but I am trying to rule out secondary security software. I only have Malwarebytes in addition to Avira. Both MBAM Free on demand anti-malware scan and MBAE Free anti-exploit browser shield.

Can you please provide a little more info about how you are using Malwarebytes?

Thanks!

 

[Murder666]

Malwarebytes
Win7 Ultimate 64 bit

Hi Murder666, which version of Malwarebytes? MBAM or MBAE? Free or Premium?

Thanks!

That would be MBAM Premium

http://j4jps.com/share/MBAM%20settings.jpg

 

[Tinstaafl]

Malwarebytes
Win7 Ultimate 64 bit

Hi Murder666, which version of Malwarebytes? MBAM or MBAE? Free or Premium?

Thanks!

That would be MBAM Premium

http://j4jps.com/share/MBAM%20settings.jpg

OK, that's interesting. In addition to Avira Free, my only other active protection is MBAE Free (browser exploit shield). That is a different Malwarebytes product than MBAM, and they have no plans to integrate the two technologies for now.

Nothing in common there, as far as I'm aware.

So, it's a small sample, but I'm inclined to say that it was the Avira update this week that has caused this...

 

[Murder666]

OK, that's interesting. In addition to Avira Free, my only other active protection is MBAE Free (browser exploit shield). That is a different Malwarebytes product than MBAM, and they have no plans to integrate the two technologies for now.

Nothing in common there, as far as I'm aware.

So, it's a small sample, but I'm inclined to say that it was the Avira update this week that has caused this...

I agree, after looking briefly it was my impression that it was Avira, but saw the thread and am always grateful for someone who can provide definitive answers.

Anecdotally, I used AVG years ago until they pushed out an update that prevented windows from booting. They fixed the problem but they never publicized the issue, so it was not discoverable via google et al. I considered that unforgivable, and switched to Avira. If the worst Avira does is a mildly annoying message every few years, I can live with that.

 

[daveours]

Don't think it has anything to do with Win 10 update, I have been selectively blocking all such updates related to Win 10. Don't have any specific issues against Win 10, just want to control what my PC allows to update.

The replies to this thread seem to indicate something in common with Avira [update.exe] product updater.

It would be interesting to know what other security software you have installed, in addition to Avira. The reason I mention this is that Avira has not been updated on my PC recently, except for virus signature files. So I am inclined to think there has been something else in the environment, other than Windows or Avira that has recently changed...

I recently uninstalled AVG and replaced it with Avira. ( Win7 Pro x64). Began seeing the same update.exe errors. Upon further inspection, Avira was updating correctly without errors. However, I searched my system for update.exe and found that the uninstaller for AVG left all the files intact in the Program Data/ AVG2014 folder. I deleted the contents of the folder, scanned the Registry for any AVG traces and cleaned house. Will let you know if the error recurs.

 

[hannaman]

Are you guys using Avira? I too am experiencing this... Here's an article on Avira with similar issue: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/avira.345492/page-147#post-2511433

 

[Josua_1]

Hi,

This fixied the identical problem at my notebook (Win7 64bit):

In Avira Free Antivirus:
Press F8 (or Extras / Configuration)
-> PC Protection
-> Update
-> Webserver
-> Proxy setting
-> Choose "Do not use a proxy server" and press the "Apply" button

Good luck,
Josua

 

[Tinstaafl]

Are you guys using Avira? I too am experiencing this... Here's an article on Avira with similar issue: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/avira.345492/page-147#post-2511433

Hi Hannaman,

Yes, It seems that everyone reporting this error was running Avira. Which makes sense, because the application popup was generated by the Avira Product Updater.

We assume it was due to an Avira program update, but maybe it has been fixed?

I had the message everyday from 7/26 - 7/30. Then for the past two days ... nothing!

Avira is successfully updating, every 2 hours, just like clockwork! No errors yet!

===> Update 8/3: It's back! After a 3 day absence, the error appeared today on the 2nd scheduled update.

On the 1st update today, the Avira events logs showed at 9:01 Scheduler: Job started 'The job "Automatic update Free"
was started successfully.'

Then at 9:02 Updater: Update successfully carried out
'The following files were updated by "http://personal.avira-update.com/update":
aevdf.dat 8.11.252.232
xbv00194.vdf 8.11.252.154
xbv00195.vdf 8.11.252.174
xbv00196.vdf 8.11.252.192
xbv00197.vdf 8.11.252.210
xbv00198.vdf 8.11.252.228
xbv00199.vdf 8.11.252.230
xbv00200.vdf 8.11.252.232
local001.vdf
repair.rdf 1.0.9.48

But at 11:01 Scheduler: Job started 'The job "Automatic update Free"
was started successfully.'

Followed by: Application popup: update.exe - Application Error : The instruction at 0x71d0e5a8 referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be read.

Click on OK to terminate the program

At 11:15 I went to the Avira menu and clicked 'Update>Start update

got Updater: Update successfully carried out
The following files were updated by "http://personal.avira-update.com/update":
aevdf.dat 8.11.252.236
xbv00201.vdf 8.11.252.236
local000.vdf

Hmmmmmmm...

 

[Yaoming]

i havent get the error so far today, but i am not sure about later on... and i am using Avira Pro, not the free one tho..i do have malwarebytes anti-malware home(premium)2.1.8.1057 and ccleaner free.(using windows 7 too)

Wooah, after 4 days, i received the error again! just now 8/5

 

[Sakkura]

I've been getting the error for about a week, just got one today. I run Avira and also have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware installed. However, I have the free version of MBAM that doesn't run in the background (AFAIK), and it wasn't running when I got the update.exe error.

 

[Tinstaafl]

i havent get the error so far today, but i am not sure about later on... and i am using Avira Pro, not the free one tho..i do have malwarebytes anti-malware home(premium)2.1.8.1057 and ccleaner free.(using windows 7 too)

Wooah, after 4 days, i received the error again! just now 8/5

A user on the Avira thread at Wilders Security Forums suggested this workaround on 8/3. I made the change, and so far no more error messages ... http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/avira.345492/page-139#post-2485942

 

[Yaoming]

i havent get the error so far today, but i am not sure about later on... and i am using Avira Pro, not the free one tho..i do have malwarebytes anti-malware home(premium)2.1.8.1057 and ccleaner free.(using windows 7 too)

Wooah, after 4 days, i received the error again! just now 8/5

A user on the Avira thread at Wilders Security Forums suggested this workaround on 8/3. I made the change, and so far no more error messages ... http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/avira.345492/page-139#post-2485942

What did you do? and you didnt received the message so far? i couldnt find the solution you provided the link

 

[Tinstaafl]

i havent get the error so far today, but i am not sure about later on... and i am using Avira Pro, not the free one tho..i do have malwarebytes anti-malware home(premium)2.1.8.1057 and ccleaner free.(using windows 7 too)

Wooah, after 4 days, i received the error again! just now 8/5

A user on the Avira thread at Wilders Security Forums suggested this workaround on 8/3. I made the change, and so far no more error messages ... http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/avira.345492/page-139#post-2485942

What did you do? and you didnt received the message so far? i couldnt find the solution you provided the link

It's a good link... here's the workaround:

Please try the following: Go to Avira's configuration and under "General" -> "Security" uncheck the "Protect processes from unwanted termination" option -> click "Apply" - > click "OK" -> Reboot -> Start a new update.

 

[Yaoming]

i havent get the error so far today, but i am not sure about later on... and i am using Avira Pro, not the free one tho..i do have malwarebytes anti-malware home(premium)2.1.8.1057 and ccleaner free.(using windows 7 too)

Wooah, after 4 days, i received the error again! just now 8/5

A user on the Avira thread at Wilders Security Forums suggested this workaround on 8/3. I made the change, and so far no more error messages ... http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/avira.345492/page-139#post-2485942

What did you do? and you didnt received the message so far? i couldnt find the solution you provided the link

It's a good link... here's the workaround:

Please try the following: Go to Avira's configuration and under "General" -> "Security" uncheck the "Protect processes from unwanted termination" option -> click "Apply" - > click "OK" -> Reboot -> Start a new update.

i think i might need to try your way... i just received the error again....same time as yesterday. 11:50pm est..that's so wired.

-8/7/2015 1:43am- btw tin, i am using Pro..not the free tho..getting that error

 

[Tinstaafl]

i havent get the error so far today, but i am not sure about later on... and i am using Avira Pro, not the free one tho..i do have malwarebytes anti-malware home(premium)2.1.8.1057 and ccleaner free.(using windows 7 too)

Wooah, after 4 days, i received the error again! just now 8/5

A user on the Avira thread at Wilders Security Forums suggested this workaround on 8/3. I made the change, and so far no more error messages ... http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/avira.345492/page-139#post-2485942

What did you do? and you didnt received the message so far? i couldnt find the solution you provided the link

It's a good link... here's the workaround:

Please try the following: Go to Avira's configuration and under "General" -> "Security" uncheck the "Protect processes from unwanted termination" option -> click "Apply" - > click "OK" -> Reboot -> Start a new update.

i think i might need to try your way... i just received the error again....same time as yesterday. 11:50pm est..that's so wired.

-8/7/2015 1:43am- btw tin, i am using Pro..not the free tho..getting that error

Believe that they use the same base engine and updater. The pro adds some additional protection modules.

 

[biscotti]

I finally stopped being lazy a few days ago and caught up on updating my PC. I let Windows Update do its thing while I was out and came back to a freshly updated and restarted computer. No issues.

Later that evening, I got booted out of a fullscreen game I was playing and was greeted with:

update.exe - Application Error
The instruction at 0x74a3e5a8 referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be read. Click on OK to terminate the program

Since then, two times a day, I get an error like that. I've never had an issue like this before.

I took a screenshot of the task manager showing the processes that close out when I click OK on that dialog box:

http://i.imgur.com/rkqangi.png

I've already tried SFC /scannow. No issues found.

Specs:

Windows 7 64-bit
i5-3750K
Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
7950 HD

No solution here, but I can confirm what everyone else is saying. I'm getting this exact error, while running Avira.

Further, I'm able to replicate the error by running the "update" application in the Avira folder, under C:\Program Files (x86)\Avira\Antivirus

Running this application causes the error to occur. This is definitely (most likely) a problem with Avira.

 

[gangrel]

Anti-virus tools have been creating more problems as they've been forced to get more aggressive.

For me, Avira's Safer Browsing extension for Chrome, is blocking the ad from a card game site, and thus blocking the entire page. No reason noted on screen; I need to look at Avira's logs.