Avast! is new to me.I understand that it is always running/protecting but do I need to do regular system scans with Avast! If so where is the scan control screen?
Hi again. 
Right click the “a” icon, near the clock, select start avast antivirus.
Yes regular system scan should be done.
Why? or how often? Reason for the why is after it does an initial full system scan, and given that it’s constantly on guard, wouldn’t a full scan be kind of pointless, as it should have dealt with any insurrection from the onset, and shouldn’t let in any malware while it is running.
found it.thanks.
Is there a scheduler.If not how do I set up the “scheduled tasks” on xp sp2 ?
Why- sometimes malware gets into places not always accessed on a daily basis. It could have gotten there before it was added to avast’s detections.
How often-depends on the individual user, what they use their computer for ie downloads, trial software, shadey sites, etc. Some do once it a week. Since I don’t go anywhere, it’s once a month.
@ianeuropean
No scheduler in the free version. DavidR has posted a few times a way of using task scheduler. A search of this forum with the search key words, without the quotes, turned up this, " schedule scan DavidR" among others others
Hi Ianeuropean :
IF Avast is your ONLY security program, you are UNDERprotected . Should
have at least One antiSPYWARE/antiTROJAN program, and many on this
Forum recommend the FREE Version of "SUPERAntiSpyware", available at
www.superantispyware.com . Since I have this program on my computer,
I rarely run an Avast scan, but every 10 days run a "Complete scan" of
SUPERAntiSpyware .
thanks.running SAS also.