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

Wed Jan 14 20:16:29 EST 2026

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.eugene at pm.me wrote:
> Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:19:07 +0000
> From: "tresmont.eugene" <tresmont.eugene at pm.me>
> To: barrym <mahon.finbar at neuf.fr>
> Cc: gnucash-user at 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 at 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
>>
>>
>> --
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>> www.avast.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> gnucash-user mailing list
>> gnucash-user at gnucash.org
>> To update your subscription preferences or to unsubscribe:
>> https://lists.gnucash.org/mailman/listinfo/gnucash-user
>> -----
>> Please remember to CC this list on all your replies.
>> You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:18:45 -0600
> From: Mark at Lorimark <mark at lorimarksolutions.com>
> To: gnucash-user at gnucash.org
> Subject: Re: [GNC] Windows 11 security blocker
> Message-ID:
> 	<27bf2d1f-67d0-4f66-8345-db16516d7c96 at 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.monteleone at lusfiber.net>
> To: gnucash-user at lists.gnucash.org
> Subject: Re: [GNC] Warning Chat GPT
> Message-ID: <10k8m2r$ud4$1 at ciao.gmane.io>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> Barry,
>
> If you open Avast, there should be an option to turn it off,
> particularly there may be an option to turn off 'real-time protection'.
>
> Otherwise, make sure you have the Avast installer on hand first, (for
> later) and uninstall it completely.
>
> Then try downloading GnuCash again. (you may need to re-start your
> system after removing Avast) Then re-install Avast after installing GnuCash.
>
> Also, read through the documentation for Avast (or contact them) about
> how to 'Whitelist' a website or particular download. That would save you
> the trouble of uninstalling it as a workaround.
>
> Finally, several people have recommended going back to a version of
> GnuCash what worked fine for you. Do you no longer have that older
> installer? If not, and you can't seem to download it either, try doing
> so on a different computer, some one mentioned using a local library if
> possible.
>
> We've also recommended you try downloading with a different web browser.
>
> Those are free also. Give one or more a try and let us know if any of
> the above worked.
>
> Regards,
> Adrien
>
> On 1/14/26 3:58 AM, barrym via gnucash-user wrote:
>> OK, once again thanks for all the comments and advice.
>>
>> Afaics I don't get at any point, an option to "get out" such as has been
>> suggested, I haven't found in avast, for example,? how to suspend it, I
>> get no 'properties' prompt.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:13:06 -0600
> From: Adrien Monteleone <adrien.monteleone at lusfiber.net>
> To: gnucash-user at lists.gnucash.org
> Subject: Re: [GNC] Windows 11 security blocker
> Message-ID: <10k8mbn$a2l$1 at 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 <mstrikis at hotmail.com>
> To: barrym <mahon.finbar at neuf.fr>, "gnucash-user at gnucash.org"
> 	<gnucash-user at gnucash.org>
> Cc: "gnucash-user at gnucash.org" <gnucash-user at gnucash.org>
> Subject: Re: [GNC] Windows 11 security blocker
> Message-ID:
> 	<SY0P300MB0723054E273101F4B06F8878CF8FA at 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.com at gnucash.org> on behalf of barrym via gnucash-user <gnucash-user at gnucash.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 5:45:33 PM
> To: gnucash-user at gnucash.org <gnucash-user at gnucash.org>
> Cc: gnucash-user at gnucash.org <gnucash-user at 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