Latest Win 8 Adventure (Malware Included at No Charge)

So, my wife clicked on an ad to install something at download.com and 'voila' was infected with MySearch Dial malware.

I ran MBAM, Hitman Pro, SAS, Emsisoft Emergency Kit, MBAR to kill it (yes, a little overboard). Also, fixed browser settings.

I replaced AV with Avast Pro and MBAM Pro.

BUT, now have two new issues:

1) the tiles for two apps in Start Apps my wife d/l'd from MS Store no longer respond (one is greyed out). There is no right click or other delete option. They cannot be re-downloded from Store either. The Start Apps tiles that came pre-installed still respond.

I read elsewhere that Avast and KIS have caused this issue for others....

2) The Avast tray icon is unresponsive (not a good sign). I must go to Start menu to bring it up.

Otherwise the PC is functioning as it should.

Uninstalled Avast for the moment (with Avast Removal Tool) but problems remain.

So, what is causing the MS Start App issue & Avast Icon issue? And did MySearch Dial, Avast or MBAM play a role?