This is virus-like behaviour, I am very disappointed in Avast for doing this. If someone closes the Windows gadget, or uninstalls it from the Gadgets control panel, then Avast should not re-install itself. At least there should be an option with the Avast preferences to turn it off permanently. Only after finding this forum page have I learned how to finally get rid of it - how would have thought of going to the add/remove programs section to change a program option?