Microsoft update

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi all!
I am new to avast home edition and I need some advice please.I need to get two downloads of Microsoft, one is Service Pack 1. Microsoft asks to disable any antivirus running on pc before you start to download.

Is it possible to do this with avast?

Thanks for any help you can provide in advance? Also what do people think is the best free firewall to download. Has avast gor one?

Thanks again. :wink:

2

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com < go there and get ALL security patches/updates, including sp1. And never mind about shutting down anti virus software. They will download and install just fine if Avast is running. In fact you will be better of with Avast running since you don’t have the patches which means you got a lot of security issues (open doors) !

Best free firewall, not easy to tell. There are a few that work well for people.
http://www.zonelabs.com < zonealarm
http://www.sygate.com < Sygate
http://www.kerio.com < kpf

Check those three sites and pick the one you think you will like. But if you can afford it (about usd 40) I would say get a router with hardware firewall. That still is the best.

3

Thank you Artras,
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ is where I have to download the two items, the framework thingy and SP1. I have downloaded everything else.So I wont need to turn of Avast then?

Thanks again.

4

Hey childhood, I have never turned off avast…for any reason. Windows Update works just fine while avast is running. If you have a software firewall, you may have to disable it(or not) to download the updates. :wink:

5

childhood,
I use Outpost Firewall and it, along with Avast! never get turned off.
Welcome to the forums.

6

I also do not turn off ZoneAlarm or avast! for any downloads, but I do (along with DSL disconnect) when I do a defrag. It seems to go faster when I do. Is this consistant with your thinking Bob (and others)?

Re defrag: I find when I do the power defrag (mentioned on another thread here) and follow it up with the WindowsXP defrag I get the best results. 0 files fragmented and no gaps between files.

7

[quote ]

But if you can afford it (about usd 40) I would say get a router with hardware firewall. That still is the best.

I totally agree! Even a basic NAT router gives your system the knock out punch it needs, by stopping the garbage before it even gets to your PC.

Douglas