falcon04
join:2005-03-03
2 edits | reply to OverBurn
Re: AVG 8 Free Better Than 7.5 After Tweaking
Here's a summary of the "tweaks" compiled from various sources which I've used for a successful install on a number of XP SP2 boxes.
These mods provide a "bare-bones" installation, without the LinkScanner, E-mail Scanner, or MS Office plugins which IMHO defeat the purpose of a free & straightforward AV and AS application.
--------------------------------- cleanup prior to install -------------------------------------
Using "Add/Remove Programs", Uninstall AVG 7.5
Using "Add/Remove Programs", Uninstall AVG AntiSpyware
Remove any registry entries that refer to "Ewido" if you've had Ewido AntiSpyware or AVG AntiSpyware installed.
( I use RegSeeker for this, YMMV )
------------------------------ download installer & install ---------------------------
Download the AVG 8.0 Free Edition installation file "avg_free_stf_en_8_100a1295.exe" from:
»www.grisoft.cz/filedir/inst/avg_···1295.exe
Save to disk C:\ ( Root directory ) ( MUST BE in C:\ for the following to work properly )
Start -> Run
Copy & Paste the EXACT following line in the "Open:" space:
c:\avg_free_stf_en_8_100a1295.exe /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch
Hit "Enter"
Follow the install instructions, BUT:
Do not install E-mail scanner.
Do not install MS Office plug-ins.
------------------------------------- Updates -----------------------------------------------
In "Tools > Advanced Settings > Schedules > Scheduled Scan", uncheck "Enable this task".
In "Tools > Advanced Settings > Schedules > Program Update Schedule", uncheck "Enable this task".
In "Tools > Advanced Settings > Schedules > Virus Database Update Schedule", check "Enable this task" and "Run on computer startup if task has been missed",
and set "Run at specific time" to 3:00 AM
Use Windows Scheduled Tasks to do as many silent updates as you want - I do noon and 6:00 PM, YMMV.
Task Scheduler "Run:" line is:
"C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgupd.exe" /sched=
( the /sched= caused the update to be silent )
Task Scheduler "Start In:" line is:
"C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8"
The foregoing causes AVG to update when I turn the computer on in the morning, and then to do other silent updates outside of the programs one-time limitation.
Leaving the Virus database update enabled in this fashion avoids the tray icon warning and achieves a startup update. The Program Update schedule can be disabled as I assume program updates will be infrequent and well publicized, and I want only one updater working within the program )
----------------------------------------------------
Disable ( by renaming ) avgmwdef_us.mht and avgresf.dll to eliminate the update nag drop down. ( the default location for these files is C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8 )
----------------------------------------------------
In "Tools > Advanced Settings > Schedules > LinkScanner", uncheck everything. ( This may be redundant since linkscanner was not installed, but the GUI still shows it, FWIW. )
These issues and steps are truly a poor reflection on the AVG folks - an installation should not be so hard ! |
