or does it have to be run manually?
can it be put on a schedule?
thanks.
I found there:
Automatically download updates if possible - Tick this box to download available updates without asking. This option is available for paid Avast Antivirus products.
Automatically update if possible - Tick this box to install available updates without asking. This option is available for Avast Premier only.
But I still don’t know whether it checks automatically or not, and how often.
I would assume it checks every VPS database update since the updater list is most likely updated then.
That would be my assumption also, then a check could be made against what the software updater is monitoring on your system against any list of updates.
I tend to notice any notifications of a software update being available shortly after booting my computer. That would fall in line with the VPS update occurring shortly after boot.
But regardless of how it actually happens, for shmu26, yes it would appear to be automatically checked, but not downloaded and applied unless you have a paid version of avast.
Software Update usually automatically checks for outdated software with every new VPS update. Usually Avast releases a new VPS once or twice per day (this is NOT related to the VPS streaming updates you receive every couple of minutes). You can also check manually by clicking SCAN → Scan for outdated software or - alternatively if Software Updater screen is already open - by clicking on the Refresh link at the bottom of the screen.
The update process itself depends on the product type you own:
- In Avast Free Antivirus you are usually notified by a toaster. An adaptive system makes sure you receive them regularly in case you really use (click) them. In case you ignore them they’ll slowly disappear. You have to update the software then directly from the UI.
- In Avast Internet Security and Avast Pro Antivirus usually notified by the same toaster system like in Free. The difference is that you’ll not see any ads and you do not have to wait for the downloads to finish as Software Updater will download the updates automatically before it notifies you.
- Fully automatic and silent updates are available in Avast Premier only but you have to manually activate them once, otherwise Premier will work the same like Internet Security or Pro. Activating them is something I would (personally) absolutely recommend from a security perspective: no need to worry about latest software anymore - Software Update will do it fully automatically in the background!
In any case I recommend to keep your 3rd party software up-to date. It definitely improves your computer security even if you have an antivirus program like Avast installed.
I hope this answers all the questions. Please let us know if you need more information.
Thomas