AVG antivirus software - V7 to V8 (updated)

Recently, I've noticed popups from AVG Antivirus appearing on my desktop whenever I login to Windows (which is rarely these days, to be honest).

It warns you that support for AVG V7.5 will be withdrawn and offers a link. Now this is a psychological mind-game in an effort to get you to buy the full version. Don't worry, because JB has found out that there IS indeed a free version to download as always. You can't blame them really since AVG is such a popular antivirus program, but I do think it is a tad misleading!

Go via the 'official' route to download the file and visit the AVG website here:

http://free.avg.com/ww.download?prd=afe#tba2

After you have downloaded the file (hopefully to somewhere sensible like your desktop) you can then install the program according to the following instructions.

After much searching around on the internet, I have discovered that two options are enabled by default which could slow down your computer and/or make web-browsing slower due to new functions called SafeSurf and SafeSearch. I've tried with both and would thoroughly recommend you perform a custom install and deselect these options or alternatively - run the following command by clicking on the Start button, then click on Run and copy this into the box that appears on screen:

"C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Desktop\avg_free_stf_en_8_100a1295.exe" /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch

Ensure that you copy the complete text above including quotes in to the Run box and then click OK. Wait for a few seconds for the program to initialise and AVG will then perform a custom installation.

N.B. If you simply double click on the file on your desktop, then it will perform a standard installation - which is inadvisable due to the problems mentioned above!

Note that if you have the excellent Radmin application installed, AVG may pick it up as a threat. You will need to 'Add to Exceptions'. Other than that, it should be a very straightforward installation. Some things obviously look slightly different but overall it's still similar to the old version, right down to what I call the Battenburg cake icon.

P.S. If you want to disable the 'pop-under' box notification that appears at the bottom of the main AVG window, simply delete the file at the following location:

C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgmwdef_us.mht

Next time you start AVG, the pop-under box will have disappeared.

AUTOMATIC UPDATE OF AVG FAILS?

Updating automatically seems to fail with wireless connections I've noticed. Go to Tools | Advanced settings, and then look at the options under Schedules. Open that section and select 'Run on computer start-up if task has been missed' and also put a tick in the box for 'Run the update again as soon as the internet connection is available'.

UPDATE !!

Looks like updates will now remain available for AVG V7.5 until the end of this year, which is good news for those of you who haven't yet updated to V8:

[QUOTE]DEADLINE FOR AVG 7.5 FREE UPDATES 31/12/2008
Posted by: michaelhd - AVG Team
Date: May 5, 2008 10:00AM

DEADLINE FOR AVG 7.5 FREE UPDATES 31/12/2008

This is the official date that support and updates for AVg 7.5 Free will end.

If the date changes we will give you good forward notice.[/QUOTE]


Cheers

JG

Many thanks on the original AVG7 to AVG8 upgrade niggles go to Claus Valca and all posters on this thread at: http://grandstreamdreams.blogspot.com/2008/04/taming-avg-free-version-8.html