In the ‘Monthly Scan’ section of Avast Free Antivirus, when the clock icon is clicked, a monthly scan can be set for a specific date and time.
Is this scan scheduled as a Smart Scan or a Full Virus Scan? I cannot find an area to ‘choose’ one or the other so I wondered what the default scan type was.
Have you checked FAQ section? https://support.avast.com/support/home
What avast version do you have ?
Where are you seeing this Schedule Monthly Scan ?
I can’t see that specific schedule option.
It is only for the scan in which the Clock Icon appears, see image. The Smart Scan is a combination of several scans and has its own section in the AvastUI > Settings > Smart Scan > Customise, but there is no scheduled scan section in the Smart Scan settings.
DavidR:
Avast Free Version 17.6.2310
Protection->Anti-Virus->Other Scans->Monthly Scan->Clock Icon
I choose ‘Monthly’ and then select the date and time.
What type of scan am I scheduling-A Smart Scan, a Full Virus Scan, or another type of scan?
Well I have avast 17.6.2310 on this XP Pro system and those images I attached were captured from that system and it isn’t on mine.
I would hazard a guess since it isn’t specifying a scan that it would be the Smart Scan as that covers many different issues. You can run it and then check the Logs to see what is being checked.
DavidR:
Avast Free Version 17.6.2310
Virus Definitions 171001-0
My initial issue was determining what type of scan (Smart Scan, Full Virus Scan) was running when a custom monthly scan is set but there seems to be a *glitch because the custom scan does not run when scheduled. Does there have to be at least a day’s notice before a custom scheduled scan can be run?
By the way, by ‘checking the log,’ are you referring to the Scan History or another area of Avast?
There have been a number of topics relating to scheduled scans having not run as expected, so this could possibly also be the issue.
The Scan History I should have expected should log it, but I would also be looking for the contents of the C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\report folder the file names should be the same as the Scan Name and the date last modified should be close to the scan time. The Smart Scan is an exception to the rule of scan = file name, it is called Viruses & Malware.txt.
DavidR:
Since I am unable to perform a scheduled scan at this time due to a glitch, I will have to update my initial post question when I am able to do so.
No problem.
If it is indeed a Smart Scan that is done as the monthly scheduled scan, I just wonder if modifying the Smart Scan settings would achieve what it is that you want. Assuming Avast get the scheduled scan issue resolved.
DavidR-Just an FYI while we wait for the scheduled scan glitch to be resolved:
Under Protection->AntiVirus->Smart Scan, there is no ‘clock icon’ to set a scheduled scan-A Smart Scan can only be run manually.
Don’t hold your breath, it has been this way for a while.
You will also notice that you can’t change the settings from there either, that is only to run the Smart Scan.
Not to mention, you can’t set a schedule scan even in the ‘actual Smart Scan settings’ as there is no Scheduling section.
I just want to know if the scheduling section under ‘Protection->Anti-Virus->Other Scans->Monthly Scan->Clock Icon’ (where I can choose ‘Monthly,’ the date, and the time) schedules a Smart Scan, a Full Virus Scan, or another type of scan.
However, since I cannot schedule a scan until an update is released, that mystery will have to continue for now.
Never heard of “Monthly Scan”, please post a screenshot.
Asyn:
Avast Free Antivirus
Version 17.6.2310
Virus Definitions 171003-2
‘Protection->Anti-Virus->Other Scans->Monthly Scan->Clock Icon’
There is an option to choose Scan Type (‘Monthly’) and then select the date and time.
I want to know what type of scan is scheduled by doing this.
Screenshot please.
DavidR:
When performing a manual Smart Scan and Full Virus Scan, does it matter which one is performed first?
‘Protection->Anti-Virus->Other Scans->Monthly Scan->Clock Icon’ brings up the Scheduling section that allows me to schedule a scan, schedule it ‘once, daily, weekly, or monthly,’ and schedule the launch time and launch day.
I would like to know what type of scan is scheduled by doing this.
Without a screenshot we can only guess…
My best guess is that it’s a custom scan named “Monthly Scan”.
If so, you can (as the term says) customize it to your needs.
I don’t believe it does, unless of course something is found and since the Smart Scan scans many different functions, it may be more likely to find something.
Personally with a resident AV on-demand scans are much depreciated. I normally don’t bother with on-demands other than when I take part in beta testing or as a result of an issue reported in the forums. The Smart Scan is slightly different (and could be an exception) as it isn’t just doing an AV scan, depending on what components you have installed that would be included in the Smart Scan (such as the WiFi Inspector, which is the only additional component I have installed).
Thanks DavidR for clarifying the order of performing specific scans and Asyn for clarifying that ‘Monthly Scan’ is a custom scan named “Monthly Scan” that can be customized to the user’s needs.
There was a program update this morning (Wed) so I will check if that fixes the scheduling glitch.
You’re welcome.
Unfortunately the change log information for this new program release was very limited.