i just went ahead and got it, did not want to miss anything? but looking into the matter further the home or free edition is JUST as good? maybe I will not renew? any thoughts from long term players here? 
Hi oncdoc!
You have some really nice additional features if you use the Professional version of avast!.
You can see the differences on the homepage:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-compare-home-professional.html
If you choose to use the Home-version you also have great protection, but not all features avast! offers…
You also should remember the following:
avast! antivirus Home Edition is available free of charge for non-commercial home use ONLY. If you are not a home user or if you use your computer for business purposes, please download the avast! Professional Edition.
yours
onlysomeone
If you pay me a license then i will go Pro. I prefer the free license of Home edition
To the best of my memory, the home version (which I’ve used for years) has all the security features of the pro version except for script blocking – for which you can use something like NoScript. Additional features in the pro version (other than, of course, the right to use it in a business environment) are primarily convenience-oriented, such as being able to schedule scans or custom-define scanning tasks.
Revenue from licensing the pro version helps finance Alwil’s operations and R&D, of course, including ongoing development of the home version. I’m on a very tight budget myself (disability benefits), but if you can afford the pro version it’ll help keep all versions going.
I took advantage of a promotion last February for the Professional version that I run on my XP Pro system and it works well as I see the Script blocker popup briefly when I start the browser.
From what I understand the Script blocker either does not run or is not necessary with Vista or Windows 7 as IE runs in Protected Mode but I may be mistaken.
Either way avast! is a good anti virus application.
I too am on a limited budget being retired but I help out where I can.
I bought my Pro license in January of 2008. 2 year license.
I too, am retired but want to help out as best as I can.
I love the program.
It just does not work on protected mode (vista).
i’m very happy with the free program and trust it. i wonder how well the relatively new ‘in your face’ upgrade hint is faring in achieving customer purchases? initially i was annoyed by the new hint but then rationalised it as quite reasonable as avast are now only doing what a lot of other free programs have done for ages.
I bought my Pro license in September of 2008 (1 year license)
I’d switch back to AVG-free rather than pay $$ for Pro-Avast when I just use it at home. Microsoft is coming out with its free antivirus soon also, which might be another option.
I dont know if i would trust morro but i am sure some people will give it a try i hope its not like onecare.
You won’t be missed:
avast! celebrates 80 million registered users
http://www.avast.com/eng/news-celebrates-80-million-registered-users.html
I use it at home so I use both versions because I like the features.
For me (to)morro never comes, well near my system that is ;D
MS should concentrate their efforts to making the OS(es) more secure.
I am registered user of the free version, so I am part of the 80 million. So I do not understand your comment.
If you don’t use the Professional version then why criticise it.
Microsoft’s anti virus will not compete with avast! but will be another Protection Layer just like Window Defender already is.