Please let us inform you that we have recently discovered an issue in the AVG application which prevents accessing some websites (written in ASP.NET and running JavaScript). This issue occurs only in case that a combination of AVG Security Toolbar and Mozilla Firefox is used (other web browsers are not affected). In case that you are using Mozilla Firefox browser and AVG Security Toolbar, please resolve this issue this way:

• Update your AVG to the latest version (8.5.374 or higher).
• Update the AVG Security Toolbar:
  • Open the drop-down menu by clicking on the arrow next to the AVG icon in the AVG Toolbar in your internet browser.
  • Choose the Update option.

In case the AVG Toolbar is deactivated and you wish to use it again, please activate it by performing steps from FAQ 1257 and update it as described above (steps for activation are identical to steps for deactivation).

Please let us inform you, that AVG Free 8.5 is fully compatible with the new Windows 7 operating system (currently in the release candidate stage).

To change the AVG Free language please proceed as follows:

• Open the AVG Free user interface -> Tools menu -> Advanced settings.
• In the Appearance section, please choose the language you wish to use.
• Click OK to save the configuration and restart AVG (close the user interface and then run it again by double-clicking the AVG icon on desktop or in the system tray).

Detailed description including screenshots is also available here.

Note:
Only languages selected during installation will be available in AVG Free. To add a new language please run the latest installation file and select the option Add or remove components. More information on how to proceed can be found in FAQ 1247.

If you are using new operating system Windows 7, it is possible that the Windows Action Center is reporting the following error:

AVG Free Edition is on but is reporting its status to Windows Security Center in a format that is no longer supported. Use the program´s automatic updating feature, or contact the program manufacturer for an updated version.

This situation is caused by a new format used in Windows 7. We would like to inform you that this new format is supported by AVG in the newer program versions. If you experience such error, please update your AVG program to the latest version:

• Open the AVG user Interface.
• Click the Update now button.
• Select the Program update from the list of updates.

We have recently received multiple reports of crashes and/or repeated reboots of Acer computers when AVG 8.5 Free Edition is installed. The issue was analyzed and is caused by an application Acer E-lock Management, more specifically by file eLock2FSCTLDriver.sys.

Although the situation occurs also when AVG is installed, it is not caused by any AVG part or component. The Acer manufacturer has been informed about the situation.

At this point, it is possible to solve the issue by uninstalling the Acer E-lock Management. To uninstall the Acer software, it may be necessary to enter Windows Safe Mode, as described in FAQ topic 1305.

The way to check whether you are logged into Windows as a user with administrative rights differs for each version of Windows. Please click on your operating system to open FAQ topic with correct instructions:

• Windows 2000
• Windows XP
• Windows Vista

AVG 8.5 Free Edition - Legacy OS support

Please be informed that older versions of Windows operating systems (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows Me) are no longer supported. It is possible to install AVG 8.5 on the following OS's (and Service Packs):

• Windows® 2000 Professional SP4 + SRP1 (Service Pack 4 download, Update Rollup 1 download)
• Windows® XP Professional SP2 or higher (Service Pack download)
• Windows® XP Home SP2 or higher (Service Pack download)
• Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition or higher (Service Pack download)
• Windows® Vista Home Basic
• Windows® Vista Home Premium
• Windows® Vista Ultimate
• Windows® Vista Business
• Windows® Vista Enterprise

For more details please check the AVG Free product line supported platforms in the System requirements tab. 

Why don't we support older operating systems with AVG 8.5 Free Edition?

Unfortunately the new scanning engine and on-access scanner, as well as the whole AVG technology cannot work on the old systems. These systems do not provide features and functionality that are necessary for proper detection and especially removal of malware. The systems are insecure and have already not been maintained by the OS vendor for several years. Therefore we cannot guarantee sufficient protection.

Solution

We suggest that you upgrade your OS and/or install the latest Service Pack to be able to use all the AVG features. We also recommended that you use WindowsUpdate to keep your operating system up-to-date.

To recognize what AVG product is currently installed on your computer, please follow the steps below:

• Run AVG by double clicking on the AVG icon on your desktop or in the system tray.
• Double-click on the License module. 
• It is possible to recognize the AVG product type in all AVG products as follows:
1. In the top left hand corner: AVG Internet Security / AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition.
2. In the middle of the screen: The installed product is AVG Internet Security / AVG Anti-Virus Free.
3. In the middle of the screen: License type: Full / Free. 

It is possible to run AVG Free scan in a safe mode, however the functionality is limited to command line scan only. To run the scan, you can proceed as follows:

• restart the computer into Safe Mode, as described at:
  Win 2000:
  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/202485
  Win XP:
  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222
  Win Vista:
  http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/f9c50a72-04ec-4088-9fd4-a4f979eef5a71033.mspx
• in the Safe Mode, you can run AVG by double-clicking its icon on the desktop - a notification will be shown, and a command line scan of all local disk drives will be started
• all detected infections will be healed or moved to AVG Virus Vault automatically

In case you wish to configure the scanning options of the command line scanner, you can execute the test manually by running C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG Free8\avgscan*.exe /[parameters] (* can be 'x', 'a' or 'i', based on the computer and operating system). List of all available parameters for this test can be displayed by running avgscan*.exe /?.

If you look into the Windows Task Manager, tab Processes, you can see how much memory is used by each AVG process. This number can range from single to tens of megabytes, depending on the process (e.g. Resident Shield has loaded the whole virus base, plus the data it is currently scanning). However, it is not possible to simply add up the memory consumption of each AVG process to get the overall memory usage of AVG. Some of the allocated memory displayed for each AVG process is in fact shared between all processes. If for example 3 processes are using 10 MB of shared memory, they will be still displayed as 3 separate processes, consuming 30 MB combined, which is not true.

In case you are experiencing a major slowdown while AVG test is running, or, on the other hand, AVG is not scanning fast enough, please try to adjust the scan performance, which is displayed in the bottom part of the AVG User Interface - "Computer scanner" - currently running scan.

If you are using Windows Vista and your computer or Internet connection is working much slower than before installation of AVG, please try to install the Windows Update Windows update KB929547. 

If the AVG icon in system tray shows error state (AVG icon with yellow exclamation mark), it means that one or more AVG components are not fully functional. Please launch AVG Free (double-click on the icon). Deactivated component will be marked with a red icon and description of their error state. To rectify this problem, please proceed as follows: 

• Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware
  These components are in error state when the virus base (common for both components) is out of date. Please click on Update now button in AVG Free to remove this warning. In case the update does not proceed, please refer to FAQ 1300. 
• E-mail Scanner
  The E-mail Scanner component can report to be not fully functional when the scanning is disabled, and in some cases also when the configuration is not correct: 
  • To enable the scanning, please double-click on the E-mail Scanner in AVG Free and tick one or both of the options Scan incoming (outgoing) messages. 
  • To check the configuration, please open AVG Free -> menu Tools -> Advanced settings -> E-mail Scanner -> Servers -> POP3 -> AutoPOP3:10110, and enable the option Activate this server and use it for receiving e-mail. 
• License
  This component informs you about the status of your license. An error state is usually related to approaching expiration date. 
• LinkScanner
  An error state of this component in most cases occurs due to a disabled feature. To rectify the issue, please double-click on the component and enable all available options. 
• Resident Shield
  Usually only disabling the Resident Shield can induce a security warning. To enable it again, please double-click it in AVG Free and tick option Resident Shield active. 
• Update Manager
  The Update Manager component can either report pending restart after an update, or disabled update schedule. 
  • If a restart is required, please restart your computer as soon as possible to allow further updates. 
  • In case Database update is disabled message is displayed, please double-click on Update Manager in AVG and enable the option Start automatic updates.

If you received the following error message after installation of AVG Free Edition and the program does not start, it is usually caused by corrupted or missing Microsoft redistributable files, that are necessary for correct AVG Free Edition function:
This application failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix the problem.

To resolve this situation, please take the following steps:

• Open menu Start -> (Settings) -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs.
• In the list of installed programs, please find Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2005 and uninstall it using the Remove button.
• Restart your computer.
• Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2005 from the following website:
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=200b2fd9-ae1a-4a14-984d-389c36f85647
• Run AVG Free Edition.

Note:
In case the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2005 can not be installed, the issue can be caused by corrupted Windows Installer. This can be fixed by downloading and installing the Windows Installer package:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=889482fc-5f56-4a38-b838-de776fd4138c

If it is still not possible to install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2005, please refer to the troubleshooting of Microsoft Installer issues at:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555175

Once the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2005 is installed correctly, it will be possible to run AVG Free Edition.

If you need to exclude a certain "Potentially unwanted program" from any detection by AVG Free (for example if you are using an Ad-sponsored program or utility, which could be dangerous, but could also be used with your knowledge), you can exclude it from AVG Resident Shield and AVG tests detection this way:

Please open the AVG Free program -> "Tools" menu -> "Advanced settings" -> "PUP exceptions" -> push the "Add exception" button to add a new exception.

• Now find the file you want to except from AVG detection. If you are not sure that the file location is static, enable "Any location - do not use full path" function.
• Save the setting using the "Add" button.

These exceptions can be used for "Potentially unwanted programs" only. If you set the exception for a viral file (Trojan horse, I-Worm, Worm, W32...), this file will be still detected by AVG tests and the AVG Resident Shield.

These exceptions are not used for the AVG Email Scanner.

Note: These exceptions can be created for files only, not for folders.

If you want to disable the notification windows about AVG Free activities that appears from the system tray, you can do it this way:

• Launch AVG Free User Interface.
• From top menu "Tools" select "Advanced settings" option.
• Select the "Appearance" option from the left navigation tree.
• Now in the right hand part of this dialog there is "Balloon tray notifications" section available.

Here you can disable/enable displaying of all system tray notifications or just select some of them according your needs.

The AVG Free Edition 8.5 software protects your computer on multiple levels. In case you need to disable AVG Free, please consider which part of the protection you need to switch off. The AVG parts and their purpose are:

• AVG Resident Shield
  The Resident Shield is the main component protecting you from viruses. It scans accessed files and if a virus is found, the access to the file is blocked. This applies to executing infected programs, as well as to opening of infected documents or any other files.
  Disabling of the Resident Shield is sometimes recommended before installation of a new software or drivers, since it can prevent conflicts that would otherwise occur during their installation. This however applies only to limited number of specific programs and drivers, and there is no general reason why AVG Resident Shield should interfere with an installation of any application.
  To disable the Resident Shield, please:
  • Open AVG User Interface.
  • Double-click on the Resident Shield.
  • Un-tick the option Resident Shield active.
  • Save the changes.
  Please do not forget to activate the Resident Shield again once you performed the tasks requiring its deactivation.
  
• AVG E-mail Scanner
  The AVG E-mail Scanner may affect your sending/receiving of e-mails, since it is designed to scan the messages and needs to access them in some way. The way of accessing the messages depends on your e-mail client, but only the Personal E-mail Scanner plugin can interfere with the communication between your computer and the e-mail server.
  To disable the Personal E-mail Scanner (if it is installed), please:
  
  • Ppen AVG User Interface.
  • In menu Tools select Advanced settings.
  • Go to E-mail Scanner - Servers - POP3, and click on the POP3 server (usually AutoPOP3:10110).
  • Un-tick the option Activate this server and use it for receiving e-mails.
  • Repeat the same for SMTP server.
  Please enable the servers that were enabled originally again when possible.

There are additional services available together with AVG 8.5 Free Edition:

• Frequently asked questions
• Virus Top Threats
• Virus Encyclopaedia
• Virus removal section
• AVG Free Forum
• Documentation

Some of these services are available for registered users only. More information you can find in Help section.

You can use AVG scanner within the 3rd party program scanning options. There is a difference based on your system architecture - x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit). 

1. x86 architecture
Use the AVGSCANX.EXE program with /scan=%file% /clean parameters: AVGSCANX.EXE /scan=%file% /clean
"C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\AVGSCANX.EXE" /scan=%file% /clean
You can find the AVGSCANX.EXE program in the AVG program folder on your hard drive – typically C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8.

2. x64 architecture
Use the AVGSCANA.EXE program with /scan=%file% /clean parameters: AVGSCANA.EXE /scan=%file% /clean
"C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\AVG8\AVGSCANA.EXE" /scan=%file% /clean
You can find the AVGSCANA.EXE program in the AVG program folder on your hard drive – typically C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8. 

These are examples of the AVG scanner configuration in some popular applications:

• WinZip
  WinZip -> Options -> Configuration -> Program Locations
  Scan program:
  C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgscan?.exe (replace '?' with 'x' or 'a')
  Parameters:
  /scan=%d ext=* /arc /clean
  

• WinRAR
  Tools -> Scan archive for viruses
  Virus scanner name:
  C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgscan?.exe (replace '?' with 'x' or 'a')
  Virus scanner parameters:
  /scan=%f ext=* /arc /clean
• Miranda IM
  Options -> Events -> File Transfer
  Command line:
  "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgscan?.exe" /scan=%f /ext=* /arc /clean (replace '?' with 'x' or 'a')
  

If you need to know more parameters please use the "avgscanx /?" command in command line if you have a x86 system, or "avgscana /?" for x64 system. Please bear in mind that the specific parameters depend on the given application. In this case you should ask the provider of that software for needed information.

In case you are using some third party firewall or a software that is checking network traffic (e.g. content filters, parental control, etc.), you need to allow communication of the following AVG Free processes to allow its full functionality:

• avgam.exe
• avgcmgr.exe
• avgemc.exe
• avgiproxy.exe
• avgnsx.exe
• avgtray.exe
• avgui.exe
• avgupd.exe
• avgwdsvc.exe

In some programs, you might need to specify the list of 'safe' Internet addresses to prevent limited or blocked access of AVG to the update servers. In such case, please allow the following servers:

• guru.avg.com
• guru1.grisoft.cz
• guru2.grisoft.cz
• guru3.grisoft.cz
• downloadfree.avg.com
• update.avgfree.com

The main source of information about AVG Free Edition is our free discussion forum, which can be read by everyone. After the registration of your AVG Free Edition, you gain the right to contribute to the AVG Free forum, ask questions and discuss the program.

At the same time, your registration will allow us send you information about new AVG Free Edition versions and other news about the program. You can choose not to receive these e-mails during the registration.

This is a list of applications that are known to be in conflict with one or more components in AVG Free 8.5:

Webroot Spysweeper
Issue:
Tracking Cookies are not correctly removed. Sending and/or receiving e-mails is not possible.
Solution:
Unfortunately, AVG Free 8.5 is not able to work with this application. Therefore it is necessary to uninstall Webroot Spysweeper application. In case there is only issue with sending or receiving of e-mails, it is sufficient to disable the e-mail scanner function in Webroot Spysweeper:
Start Webroot Spy Sweeper -> select "Shields" button -> select "Email attachments" tab -> uncheck "E-Mail Attachments" option.

ICQ toolbar
Issue:
Internet Explorer 7 does not work when ICQ Toolbar and AVG Toolbar are installed together.
Solution:
Unfortunately, the AVG Toolbar is not able to work with ICQ Toolbar in Internet Explorer 7. Therefore it is necessary to uninstall ICQ Toolbar application.

Session Manager 0.6.1.13 add-on
Issue:
Error message displayed during closing of Mozilla Firefox browser.
Solution:
Unfortunately, AVG Toolbar is not able to work with Session Manager 0.6.1.13 add-on. Therefore it is necessary to uninstall this add-on application.

StumbleUpon Toolbar
Issue:
Slow start of Internet Explorer and slow opening of websites when AVG Toolbar is also installed.
Solution:
Please uninstall StumbleUpon Toolbar or AVG Toolbar to ensure correct function of Internet Explorer.

System Protect
Issue:
AVG Tray icon is not shown, and AVG Tray cannot be run from Start menu.
Solution:
This program does prevent some AVG actions and does not allow the user to create an exception. It is therefore recommended to uninstall System Protect to ensure full AVG functionality.

Dell Network Assistant
Issue:
Computer crashes repeatedly (BSOD).
Solution:
The problem occurs only with an obsolete version of the application. Possible solution to update the application to the latest version. In case the provided solution does not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to uninstall the program.

Contafiscal 2000 (in spanish)
Issue:
The "contab.exe" process uses up to 100% CPU when AVG is installed.
Solution:
Unfortunately, AVG Free 8.5 is not able to work with this application. Therefore it is necessary to uninstall the Contafiscal 2000 application.

CA Anti-Spyware 2009 LE (Formerly CA eTrust® PestPatrol Anti-Spyware)
Issue:
AVG scans (e.g. Whole computer scan, Shell Extension scan) cannot be launched when this software is installed.
Solution:
To ensure correct function of your AVG program please uninstall the CA Anti-Spyware 2009 application.

Since release of AVG Free Edition 8.0.233, LinkScanner component has been enhanced with another functionality - realtime protection while surfing, the AVG Active Surf-Shield. This protection level, from the program point of view, requires additional process to be running on background, which performs realtime scanning while visiting websites.

Therefore once the version 8.0.233 is installed or updated to, you can see in the process list another process called AVGNSX.EXE. In case you are running any third-party Firewall application, it is necessary to add the AVGNSX.EXE process into the allowed application list of your Firewall, in order to be able to access the Internet via your favorite browser.

When moving some infected file to the Virus Vault, you can encounter the "The Virus Vault has reached the maximum file count limit" message. This situation is caused by damaged vvfolder.idx file.

To resolve this issue please take the following steps:

• Show hidden files and folders as follows:
  • Windows XP / 2000:
    Open menu START > Settings > Control Panel > Folder options 
  • Windows Vista:
    Open menu START > Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Folder options
  • Click on the View tab and enable the option Show hidden files and folders.
• Delete the X:\$AVG8.VAULT$ folder [*] (where X: represent the name of the drive; e.g. C:\$AVG8.VAULT$) on all hard disk partitions.
• The situation will be resolved now. Please do not forget to disable showing of hidden files and folders again using the steps above.

[*] Open My Computer -> choose the desired drive -> right click the folder you wish to delete -> Choose the Delete option.