Create a scheduled task to run the AVG Free 8 Updater
On July 24, 2006, I wrote a technical article on my Blog titled: "Using Windows Task Scheduler to Check for/install AVG-Free Anti Virus Updates." It described a simple method end users can apply to cause the AVG Free 7.5 Updater file to run every hour, instead of just once a day.
Now it is the summer of 2008 and AVG Free is at version 8.0, with version 7.5 set for discontinuation on December 31, 2008. The AVG Free updater still only checks once per day, but the command that worked in the previous version also works in version 8.0, with some path and file name adjustments. (AVG paid versions do allow multiple daily updates and scans).
If you use AVG Free 8.x and want to have it check for updates on an hourly basis (or some other personal schedule), the information that follows will guide you through the process. I am writing this using Windows XP Professional, so these details may be different if you use Windows Vista.
You can find information about the new Task Scheduler for Windows Vista here (Microsoft MSDN), or at LifeHacker.com (lots of screen shots - JavaScript required).
First, open the Task Scheduler by clicking on Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > System Tools - and clicking on Scheduled Tasks. Double-click on the icon labeled "Add Scheduled Task." The Scheduled Task Wizard will open. Click Next. A list of installed programs will appear with a scroll bar on the right. Scroll down to see if AVG Free 8.0 (or such) is listed and highlight it if it is, then click Next. If AVG Free 8.0 (or 8.x) is not listed use the Browse button to locate it. The path to the updater executable should be: C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgupd.exe, with a default installation. If you have customized your installation your path or folder name may vary, but the file name is constant.
Once you locate the AVG updater executable, "avgupd.exe," highlight it and click Next. Type a name for this task in the top input field. I used "AVG 8 Updater." Select the "radio" option "Daily" and click Next. Select a start time and day, making sure you also select "Every Day," or "Weekdays," depending on your requirements (home or office).Click Next. Enter a User Name and Password, if you have one assigned to your logged in identity, then click Next. If you want to fine tune your options for the updater task check the box beside "Open advanced properties for this task when i click finish."
The Advanced Properties page is where you enable or disable the task, change the schedule, manage the power settings, and decide if you want to wake your computer to run the task.
Here are the settings I used in my AVG Free 8.0 Updater scheduled task:
Task tab
Task: AVG 8 Updater
Start in: "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8"
Run: "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgupd.exe" /SCHED=
Schedule tab
Schedule Task: Daily - (set a start time) - (AM/PM)
Schedule Task Daily: Every 1 day
Advanced button on Schedule Task
Check mark in "Repeat Task"
Every: 1 hours
Duration: 24 hours
Settings tab
Scheduled Task Completed: Stop the task if it runs for: 1 hour
Power Management: Check box for "Wake the computer to run this task" (NOT recommended for hourly tasks)
Make any other setting changes you want, then click Apply, then OK.
Also, under the Security tab, make sure that your logged in identity is allowed to run the task, if you are not an Administrator. If you run Windows 2000 or XP Professional you can make your daily browsing account a Power User and add yourself to the Backup Operators Group. This allows you to schedule and run backups and other tasks.
You can learn about protecting your Windows PC by running as a reduced privileges user, on my Blog article: Limited User Privileges Protect PCs From Adware, Rootkits, Spyware and Viruses, or on my FAQs page titled: Windows 2000 and XP User Account Privileges Explained.
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