new version, thanks, patch notes are where?

[system]

Perhaps it is obvious to some people, but not to me, where are the patch notes or the list of fixes in this new version? I am especially interested because I was having a problem in version 6 and I am not sure if my problem was intentionally addressed or accidentally fixed, or temporarily in abeyanace, but may return later. I have two annoyances in Avast, but mostly I am very happy with it and have been happy for a long time with it.

1. The popups have become very frequent and there seems to be no stopping them. I have set the most uncontrollable ones to 1 sec, and will be reading the manual to look for other options. Maybe it is less of a problem than I think.

2. Version 6 had a habit of breaking the contact with Microsoft servers, so genuine validation which I think is a continuous process, was timing out, and I kept getting “your windows is not genuine” (which it is, I bought this laptop from HP, and if you’re going to accuse HP of stealing windows, you’re quite brazen)… but when I looked at Start>rclick>Computer>Properties>scrolldown, at first it would say “Status unknown” and then after about 2 seconds it would say “Windows is activated.” So from that I conclude that a continuous contact must be kept with some microsoft server, perhaps Windows time server or something similar to maintain genuine status IF you are online. And not even turning off the Network scan fixed that breaking of the contact. That was version 6. It had NOTHING to do with a boot scan (apparently a year ago, that was an issue).

So now in version 7 I have not yet had that message, and I hope it is fixed. But I would like to see the patch notes please. Does anyone know where they are? Thank you.

I will say, in passing that it seems like Avast is now gathering “weight” and is no longer the lightweight program it once was. I find myself turning off many features that perhaps some people need but I do not. I would be thrilled to have an “advanced user’s barebones button” for ease of stripping away the P2P and IM features I never use. Plus most advanced users of antivirus take a clean system and set the AV to only scan writes to the file system to keep everything as lightweight as possible. For the most part, I can run the program the way I want to and for that I am grateful.

(edited to add my system info)
My system: intel core i7, Windows 7, ati mobility radeon graphics, directx 11, x64 laptop

[DavidR]

http://www.avast.com/release-history

If you never use the P2P and IM programs you don’t need these modules, but they wouldn’t be using any resources as they wouldn’t be in use.

There is absolutely nothing to stop you doing a custom install and uncheck these options (as I do, I don’t use P2P or IM applications).

[Lisandro]

@Gwenn post:1

Where are the patch notes or the list of fixes in this new version?

Not all of the minor versions got a version history or release log.

@Gwenn post:1

I am not sure if my problem was intentionally addressed or accidentally fixed, or temporarily in abeyanace, but may return later.

Well, which is your problem?

@Gwenn post:1

The popups have become very frequent and there seems to be no stopping them. I have set the most uncontrollable ones to 1 sec, and will be reading the manual to look for other options. Maybe it is less of a problem than I think.

The popups timeouts are working. Maybe you should disable the “update” popup to not receive other announcements of avast!

@Gwenn post:1

Version 6 had a habit of breaking the contact with Microsoft servers

I won’t call habit… Maybe a version issue, but it was not a habit… At least it did not happen to me like a habit.

@Gwenn post:1

So now in version 7 I have not yet had that message, and I hope it is fixed.

Not that I’m aware of and have read about. Version 7 does not have this problem.

[system]

@DavidR post:2

http://www.avast.com/release-history

If you never use the P2P and IM programs you don’t need these modules, but they wouldn’t be using any resources as they wouldn’t be in use.

There is absolutely nothing to stop you doing a custom install and uncheck these options (as I do, I don’t use P2P or IM applications).

Thank you, the release history does help a lot. I think the custom install was only the first time. Since then it was only “do you want to install the new version” and so it simply did that with my previous choices. You are correct, I could have made different choices. At this time, I’m not sure if I want to uninstall/reinstall, but perhaps I should anyway. Maybe it will fix the problem with the “genuine” windows message.

I received the msg right as I was typing this reply, therefore, I stopped typing it and submitted a new forum post instead, so that this topic would not become confused. Anyway, thank you for the quick and helpful reply. I have some research to do and a manual to read.

[DavidR]

Well an install over the top or update of an existing installation would retain your settings and installed shields. You would however, have to have uninstalled those shields, not just disabled them.

Windows add remove programs/program control, Uninstall/Change, select change and uncheck the P2P and IM shields.