AVG Free Version 8

It seems that Grisoft has backed off of its announced last date of updates for AVG Free Version 7.5, the one we have come to know and love. If you already have Version 7.5 installed, I'd not upgrade to Version 8. Wait a while and verify that you are in fact getting updates after May 31 before making your final decision about this. See this post by an AVG team member on the AVG Free Forum.

AVG Free Version 7.5 Updates will be available through 12/31/2008

That being said, however, if you feel you can't wait and must jump on the AVG Free Version 8 bandwagon, you can download it here.

Download AVG Free Version 8 from Download.com

or here

Download AVG Free Version 8 from the Grisoft Web Site

Note that the Version 8 download is 46MB, so be prepared for a longer than usual download. I have installed AVG Free Version 8 on several machines, and I have had no problem. My biggest issue with Version 8 is that Grisoft seems to feel, like every one of its competitors, that it has to do everything in one package, so the plain but good standalone anti-virus program is no longer. The new Version 8 has several extra components, including anti-spyware, built-in. The problem with this bundling is that the program will be larger, take more resources, and slow down your machine.

It is possible to trim down the package somewhat. In a subsequent post I will detail how to eliminate the Link Scanner component of Version 8 for those of you who may not like it or who feel the overhead of the package is too great.

I also do not select the Tool Bar when asked if I want it during the installation process. Don't we have enough tool bars now? For those of you who are techincally inclined, you may wish to check out the AVG Free version forum. There you can read for yourself what other users think about Version 8.

AVG Free Forum

FYI, AVG Free Version 7.5 can still be downloaded at this site:

Download AVG Free Version 7.5 from FileHippo.com

 

XP Service Pack 3

I continue to advise against installing Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. Articles such as this one from the May 20 Computerworld web site are the norm and not the exception. Forums, such as those at annoyances.org, contain discussions of many more issues with SP3.

It's beginning to look like a 3 month wait before installation is a good idea.

XP Service Pack Corrupts Registry?