Using Windows Task Scheduler to Check for/install AVG-Free Anti Virus Updates | Commandline | Wakes Computer
I was recently participating in a forum discussion about AVG Free anti virus and one of the members complained that AVG's scheduler would a: only check for updates once a day, and b: not look for updates at all when his computer was in standby mode. I researched a solution that I have tested on my own computer and seems to work fine.
I used Windows Task Scheduler to create a task to wake the computer (if asleep) and run the AVG Updater from the scheduler commandline, then automatically either fetch and install an available update, or instantly exit if no update is available at that moment. You can create multiple daily schedules with Windows Task Scheduler, but only one daily with the AVG Free scheduler. Note, that if you create an hourly schedule you should not select the option to wake the computer to run the task!
The steps to create the schedule and the commandline used are listed below.
* Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scheduled Tasks
* Open the Task Scheduler and double-click on Add Scheduled Task
* When the Scheduled Tasks Wizard opens click on Next
* When the second tab opens you will have to use the Browse button to locate the AVG program and it's updater file
* If you installed AVG into the default directory, navigate to Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Free\avginet.exe and double-click on that file to add it to the scheduler. Type a name for this task; e.g. AVG Updater
* Click on Daily to choose that option, then click Next
* Set the time of day you want it to run, Every Day, and the Start Date, then click Next
* Your account name should be in the User Name field. Type and retype your login password to authorize the scheduled task and click on Next
* Check the option to open the Advanced Properties when you click Finish
* Click on the Settings tab
* "Wake the computer to run this task" is optional but not recommended for hourly tasks. But if you choose to enable it, check the box and click Apply. Click OK. Your task is almost ready to run, but needs at least one edit. Unless you edit the commandline as follows it will not download an update unless you click on the prompt box. My edit bypasses that prompt and automatically downloads and installs updates.
* Go back to the Scheduled Tasks window and locate your new task and double click on it to open it's properties box. You should see this command: "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Free\avginet.exe"
* Add a space to the end of that command (spacebar) then type this exactly: /SCHED=
* The final command should be: "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Free\avginet.exe" /SCHED=
* If you are prompted for your user name and password type them in and click OK. If you don't use a password just press Enter.
* You can also modify the schedule from the Schedule Properties by clicking on the Schedule Tab and the Advanced button, where you can schedule it to run any number of times at any interval.
* When you are done editing the schedule click on Apply, then OK, to close the task properties.
Using those steps should wake your computer if it is in standby or hibernation, then poll for updates and download any that are available. It works on my Windows XP Professional computer, using AVG Free, version 7.x.
Wiz
Updated information for AVG Free 8.0 users
The command line scheduled task that runs the AVG Free 7.5 Update module on your schedule also works under version 8.0, but the path to the executable and the file name have changed. I have written a new Blog article that describes how to create a scheduled task to run the AVG Free 8.0 Updater, on July 5, 2008. I hope you AVG Free 8.0 users will find it useful!
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