Re: [GNC] gnucash-user Digest, Vol 274, Issue 38

[Mike Brady]

If you're sure that you downloaded it from the real gnucash.org, it 
probably doesn't have a virus in it. That's shown by the fact that 
Windows 11 25H2 (not Avast or other 3rd party - no recent experience 
with them) Security doesn't complain about the download (at least, it 
didn't for me).

Where it trips up is when running the installer. Gnucash apparently 
doesn't have the expensive security certificate MS wants to see in an 
installer, so Windows Security doesn't want to install it ("Don't Run" 
is the default for software from an unknown source, indicated by the 
missing certificate). However, there is a choice for Run Anyway (in a 
link labeled "Advanced" iirc) - you then have to go through a nag box 
essentially saying "do you REALLY want to do this?" You say Yes and 3.14 
installs fine (at least it did for me).

Just be sure it's a "clean" install. Any older version must be fully 
uninstalled from Windows Control Panel or Windows 10/11 App Settings, 
including manually deleting (if needed) the Program Files (x86) folder 
that it was in after completing the uninstall. This is especially 
important if the previous version in the computer was 5.12 or earlier, 
but it's good practice anyway. If you keep a copy of the older version 
for backup, make sure it's not in the Program Files directories.

Mike Brady
Plain Old User

On 1/14/26 tresmont.eug...@pm.me wrote:
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:19:07 +0000
From: "tresmont.eugene" <tresmont.eug...@pm.me>
To: barrym <mahon.fin...@neuf.fr>
Cc: gnucash-user@gnucash.org
Subject: Re: [GNC] Windows 11 security blocker
Message-ID:
        
<1hViZgbNAi1H5NTD46atAYwYEnm2z7ftZsNgp8pda8jLkI5axaC0bhxcK-vUFTOXVv-oVFKKV9wfbaK7RFGLWR8NpuMC2TBUH_UDw1OcLlE=@pm.me>
        
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

I have only seen the last two emails on this so I do not have all the replies 
available to me, however:

1. turn off your anti-virus - avast, windows, etc.
2. download 5.14 gnucash - if you get an infection notification there is still 
an antivirus app running.
3. run the 5.14 gnucash installation as "administrator" - right click the installation 
program and the option "run as administrator" will be on the menu.
4. turn on your anti-virus
5. power off your computer completely
6. reboot your computer

hope this helps...




Sent with Proton Mail secure email.

On Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 at 8:46 AM, barrym via gnucash-user 
<gnucash-user@gnucash.org> wrote:

Hello,

You will have seen a number of messages from me about not being able to
download and install GNUcash.

I have examined all the options I could find for overriding or
suspending all the security systems that were on my Lenovo IdeaPad 1
running Windows 11.

All the advice and suggestions that I found and tried gave me one of two
results, the well known Windows etc cannot run this app, or, it is infected.

I'm not sure if this is a new phenomenon applicable only to Windows 11
or Lenovo, but it exists.

Apart from installing another OS has anybody any ideas? If not I am left
with trying to do 2025 year end from another app or doing the job by hand.

Barry


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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:18:45 -0600
From: Mark at Lorimark <m...@lorimarksolutions.com>
To: gnucash-user@gnucash.org
Subject: Re: [GNC] Windows 11 security blocker
Message-ID:
        <27bf2d1f-67d0-4f66-8345-db16516d7...@lorimarksolutions.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Barry, I can help if you like...

I do IT for folks all over, and I'm a gnucash lover.

Call me.

~mark petryk
~c:469-556-5075
~w:http://www.lorimarksolutions.com
~q:i don't know where it's going to go,
      ...and i don't know what to wear when it gets there.

On 1/14/26 09:45, barrym via gnucash-user wrote:
Hello,

You will have seen a number of messages from me about not being able to
download and install GNUcash.

I have examined all the options I could find for overriding? or
suspending all the security systems that were on my Lenovo IdeaPad 1
running Windows 11.

All the advice and suggestions that I found and tried gave me one of two
results, the well known Windows etc cannot run this app, or, it is
infected.

I'm not sure if this is a new phenomenon applicable only to Windows 11
or Lenovo, but it exists.

Apart from installing another OS has anybody any ideas? If not I am left
with trying to do 2025 year end from another app or doing the job by hand.

Barry



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:08:22 -0600
From: Adrien Monteleone <adrien.montele...@lusfiber.net>
To: gnucash-u...@lists.gnucash.org
Subject: Re: [GNC] Warning Chat GPT
Message-ID: <10k8m2r$ud4$1...@ciao.gmane.io>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Barry,

If you open Avast, there should be an option to turn it off,
particularly there may be an option to turn off 'real-time protection'.

Otherwise, make sure you have the Avast installer on hand first, (for
later) and uninstall it completely.

Then try downloading GnuCash again. (you may need to re-start your
system after removing Avast) Then re-install Avast after installing GnuCash.

Also, read through the documentation for Avast (or contact them) about
how to 'Whitelist' a website or particular download. That would save you
the trouble of uninstalling it as a workaround.

Finally, several people have recommended going back to a version of
GnuCash what worked fine for you. Do you no longer have that older
installer? If not, and you can't seem to download it either, try doing
so on a different computer, some one mentioned using a local library if
possible.

We've also recommended you try downloading with a different web browser.

Those are free also. Give one or more a try and let us know if any of
the above worked.

Regards,
Adrien

On 1/14/26 3:58 AM, barrym via gnucash-user wrote:
OK, once again thanks for all the comments and advice.

Afaics I don't get at any point, an option to "get out" such as has been
suggested, I haven't found in avast, for example,? how to suspend it, I
get no 'properties' prompt.


------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:13:06 -0600
From: Adrien Monteleone <adrien.montele...@lusfiber.net>
To: gnucash-u...@lists.gnucash.org
Subject: Re: [GNC] Windows 11 security blocker
Message-ID: <10k8mbn$a2l$1...@ciao.gmane.io>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Excellent detailed instructions.

I'll add that in addition to or instead of, the www.gnucash.org URL, you
might need to specifically whitelist the SourceForge URL as that is
where the download is coming from. (and/or the github URL)

Regards,
Adrien

On 1/14/26 10:32 AM, Ken Pyzik wrote:
2.? If AVAST Web Shield is blocking the download, this could be another
cause.? Add a temporary exception.? Open Avast.? Go to Menu ? Settings ?
Exceptions.? Add this URL:? Code? https://www.gnucash.org. Retry the
download.?? Once downloaded, you can remove the exception if you want to.
  ?AVAST sometimes flags open?source installers because they aren?t
signed with expensive commercial certificates, not because they?re unsafe.


------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:49:43 +0000
From: Mi?elis Str??is <mstri...@hotmail.com>
To: barrym <mahon.fin...@neuf.fr>, "gnucash-user@gnucash.org"
        <gnucash-user@gnucash.org>
Cc: "gnucash-user@gnucash.org" <gnucash-user@gnucash.org>
Subject: Re: [GNC] Windows 11 security blocker
Message-ID:
        
<sy0p300mb0723054e273101f4b06f8878cf...@sy0p300mb0723.ausp300.prod.outlook.com>
        
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-4"

Windows 11 has no problem running GNC.  The problem seems to be with your 
computer.

s?ta:
Mi?elis Str??is
www.strikis.lv

________________________________
From: gnucash-user <gnucash-user-bounces+mstrikis=hotmail....@gnucash.org> on behalf 
of barrym via gnucash-user <gnucash-user@gnucash.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 5:45:33 PM
To: gnucash-user@gnucash.org <gnucash-user@gnucash.org>
Cc: gnucash-user@gnucash.org <gnucash-user@gnucash.org>
Subject: [GNC] Windows 11 security blocker

Hello,

You will have seen a number of messages from me about not being able to
download and install GNUcash.

I have examined all the options I could find for overriding  or
suspending all the security systems that were on my Lenovo IdeaPad 1
running Windows 11.

All the advice and suggestions that I found and tried gave me one of two
results, the well known Windows etc cannot run this app, or, it is infected.

I'm not sure if this is a new phenomenon applicable only to Windows 11
or Lenovo, but it exists.

Apart from installing another OS has anybody any ideas? If not I am left
with trying to do 2025 year end from another app or doing the job by hand.

Barry
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