I’m a newbie with Avast. I don’t find it entirely user-friendly, but that’s just the first impression of a newbie! 
Anyway, how does one set up weekly scanning of the PC? Or does it have to be manual?
It does depend on what version of avast you are using (presumably not the avast 4 server version whose forum you posted in), the Home free version doesn’t have scheduling where the Pro version does ?
Check this work around out - HOWTO: Scheduled Automatic Scans avast! Home Version!
The major disadvantage with the task scheduler trick of using ashquick.exe is, it will scan every file of the hdd, partition, folder or file that you set it to scan; even those files not considered a potential threat, this can take a long time. It is possible to add certain folders to the exclusions list for say your media files, etc.
Care should be taken with the paths you want to exclude as this could leave you vulnerable if that folder got infected as it wouldn’t be scanned by the on-demand scanner as you have excluded it. However, should you access any infected file in a Folder in the Program Settings, Exclusions, the on-access scanner (Standard Shield) should detect it provided you haven’t put the exclusions in there.
The Pro version gives a lot more flexibility and the scan would follow the settings and exclusions, etc. of the regular scan.
With the different levels of protection (Web Shield, Internet Mail, P2P and Instant Messaging) and the fall back of the Standard Shield, I find the need for daily scheduled scans lessened. I prefer to do a manual scan with my regular weekly maintenance tasks.
Thank you for responding. I will take a look at this. I read the posting from the link. It doesn’t sound too difficult but does seem a bit cumbersome. I was hoping for something simple, but I guess you have to pay to get the perks, eh? I have Avast 4.8 Home Edition. I had a feeling I posted in the wrong forum, but I don’t find this forum entirely user-friendly. All I saw was Avast 4. Never noticed the Server Edition. :-\ I had an awful time trying to find my postings so I could see if I had any answers. I hate to say it but I prefer the way Microsoft has their forum set up. You simply just drill down. But what one is used to is always simpler! I will get used to Avast, as well. My PC runs more quickly with it than with Norton. I just don’t like not being able to schedule the scanning with just a click or two of the mouse. I will look at the paid version. Once again, thank you.
Yeah, indeed, it’s not simple in the free version…
Welcome to avast forums!
You’re welcome.
It isn’t too difficult, but I never felt the need to do it this way, I prefer to do it with my regular tasks.
Well it looks like one of the friendly Moderators has moved it to the correct forum.
You should actually get an email when there is a reply to a topic you create or contribute to (unless you changed the defaults) that would have a link to the topic, so no need to try and find it.
I run my weekly automated scan of avast using ashquick.exe and I have for years. It works very well.