I quit running the GUI automatically at startup, no reason particularly, just my preference. At first the green slider still popped up indicating definition updates, but I think it stopped. I don’t remember seeing it for awhile, but it is still updating. So now I’m wondering if I should be concerned that I won’t be notified if a threat is detected. Anyone have experience with this situation and have info/advice to share? Thanks. 
The gui, avastUI is the one that would handles those pop-ups (and alerts) to the screen as far as I’m aware, etc.
I honestly can’t see why you wouldn’t want to run it, its resource use is negligible in the greater scheme of things. If you don’t want to see it, just hide it using the windows settings.
I think it’s okay. I went to a website where Avast detected some malware before and when I clicked a link I got a red slider for a malicious URL. Then I tried to download a file and got a popup that said a virus was found. So it seems to be working. After so long I tend to tune out that green slider. I’ll have to watch for it next time. ;D
If you don’t want it (update pop-up) stop it not the avastUI.
Guess what, to do that you need to have access the the GUI and for that you need the avastUI running ;D
From the avastUI, Settings, Updates, Details, Show notification box after automatic updates, uncheck that option, see image.
Everything’s cool. The green slider’s working normally, I just hadn’t noticed it. Looks like I was stressing over nothing. 
OK, alls well that ends well.