I get the feeling people are panicking a bit about AVG 8.0 Free. I had my reservations as well. However, on closer inspection its all cool !
and no, there is no expiry of the e-mail scanning, despite all the scaremongering. That was simply confusion over 'Full trial version' and 'Free version'
" But we hate all the bloatware and toobars and clunky site scanning "
For those who prefer, and I recommend it - Strip out the 'Link Scanner' and toolbar options. (see below)
You will be left with the simple antivirus you know and love. The only difference being that you have additional spyware protection.
Since I would always recommend running at least two anti-spyware progs - what's the problem? Run your favourite and have AVG additional protection.
As for sluggish scanning and bloatware; Well, rip out the LinkScanner and it isn't bloated in performance terms. No more a resource hog than v7.5 The scanning is marginally slower than v7.5, but it's scanning for Spyware as well....... besides, my deep scan's are run overnight so I don't care how long it takes.
(1hr 15 on athlon dual 3600mhz 1gb RAM and 200gb H/d - 32 bit Vista)
Should I want to scan individual files/folders AVG 8.0 Free still gives that functionality.
The only bitch is the fact AVG have removed the ability to schedule specific periodic updates. you are restricted to a single user specified time.
So, "How do we strip out the LinkScanner Vambo?" Check out grisoft forums FAQ 1338 : http://free.grisoft.com/ww.faq.num-1241
Or, if you don't want to check out the forum - try copying the installation/setup file to the root of your hard disk and running the following command line ; either through 'Run' or at a command prompt 'cmd'
C:\avg_free_stf_en_8_100a1295.exe /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch
(Replace the above with whatever your setup file is named)
Then just 'NEXT' through the rest of the installation and that's it.
AVG Free anti-virus is not done yet........ maybe next year, maybe the year after - but not yet ! version 8.0 is fine just fine