This is really a minor issue, but thought after consideration that it might be good to just kick it out there for review. Avast is great.
Issue is;
When I get notice to upgrade to a new program version, to myself I say ; “Oh No !” Never so far have had any issues with new versions but it loses all my settings, & so what could be a 10 minute re-install becomes at least an hour install because I have to go through every option and set it up the way I want it to be. Not sure if part of the issue is due to my cutting up Windows 7 till it’s barely related to anything from Microsoft. If settings are retained in a normal Windows set up then that is my fault.
To explain better all, of the following have been removed from my “7 Home Premium” :
All “Live” Programs ,I even block live(dot)com
No email programs - even outlook is gone
Essentials certainly are not essential
Eliminated all pre-messenger programs and remote desktop abilities
No java
No Office
No Defender
Windows update is shut off in services, and when I manually turn it on and check for updates, 2nd tuesday, I usually only get a notice for Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MrT) latest version, an indication that Microsoft is aware that none of the other programs that need patched are even there. Although an occasional patch for IE does come along.
I have integrated some programs from 98 & XP as well as some Linux programs. I should mention that I have three partitions and Linux runs initial boot till there is a selection of which full system I want to boot, with some links running back and forth between Linux & Windows so I do not need to reboot to switch between systems when I only need to use one item from the other.
Have renamed a number of Windows programs so as to confuse Automated and or Human intruders. Kinda like my homemade electric car that has some confusing buttons, example a big red button that says; START, it does start of course, it starts the AIRHORN. Street level criminals rarely use enough logic to know an electric motor does not need a start button.
I have many other oddities on my computer, and so am actually very happy that Avast works so well when installed on such a confusing computer. But I do wonder if other more normal computers also lose the security settings when installing a new program version of Avast? My only concern being that, like me, some people will put off installing the new version due to the time required to do so. - That could be a security issue if a new version was needed to be installed instantly for some reason.
I know, my fingers have been taken over by a Mad Scientist from the future and he takes a long time to get to the point. Bet they read very fast in the future-eh?
Thanks, Mystery 8)
AVAST AVAST AVAST Great Antivirus, name starts with AV for a reason!
No such problems here – the update from 7 to 8 correctly picked up all existing settings for me. The only changes I had to make were for new features, like “scan now” auto-starting a specific scan (quick scan by default, which I changed to my more usual full scan).
Mike,
I have never had settings move to the next version, so imagine it must be my configuration, Also have disabled system restore despite windows updates turning it on every time I use updates, then have to shut off sys restore again. Recycle Bin is also off. (Not a good idea unless you have Linux control of booting and can repair issues in windows when safe mode doesn’t work)
Another issue is needing a new registration number every new version, sometimes saving old number works, but if it doesn’t then I end up going in circles because Avast doesn’t want to accept my email again to re-register.
Para-Noid,
Never even noticed the backup, thanks, also thanks for showing the image - clarified. I have now used that option. Am glad your name is Para-Noid as I have a question now about the backup, any hacks on that known, so malware etc could be stored in the backup file? Hate mentioning that because an idea can challenge many to try to do something like that, but would be good to know if that option has already been abused.
I went ahead and updated version to 8. I didn’t use the backup option as was unsure as to safety. So I had to manually reset all options. It was good because the changes in locations of options in 8 take a little time to learn. 8 was not very different from 7 as to options but finding the options and settings took some time. I don’t understand why they changed the well crafted imagery in Avast & replaced it with simple looking change. I don’t really care how it looks as long as it gets the job done, but since it now looks like a startup program I wonder how new users will feel, Avast is not a first trial beta. Oh well its not my company, & so far I have no complaints with it’s operation aspects & that’s what is vital.
If it was tailored to me there would be no email protection and certainly not even a rumor of any link with any cloud services. I think the Cloud may be a security issue soon. time will tell. For now I block the biggest cloud servers and related IP addresses. Of course I shut off Cloud & Streaming in Avast. I do have minor security concerns concerning Avast, even here in the forum I have been pinged by who knows who, & looking at address here in forum am a little curious why they have http rather than https. Alas
Not complaining just tossing some concepts for Avast to consider in the future.