Ron Schenone

AVG 7.5 Users Must Upgrade To 8.0 By May 31, 2008

Posted by on May 5, 2008 | 40 Comments

If you are still using the version 7.5 for AVG, you may have been confronted with a nag screen. The screen indicates that AVG will no longer provide updates after May 31, 2008. There is also a link provided that takes you directly to the AVG web site. Read the site carefully, since AVG wants you to purchase the retail version, instead of using the freebie.

Look towards the bottom of the screen to locate the free version. Or go directly to the free AVG 8.0 download site located here.

Read the documentation before installing. You will need to uninstall AVG 7.5 first, before installing the new version. Also after installation, make sure you update to the latest virus definitions.

AVG now states that there is no need to uninstall 7.5 first. During installation of version 8, AVG will automatically remove versions 7.5. 

Enjoy.

Comments welcome.

[tags]avg, 7.5, upgrade, 8.0, free edition, [/tags]

  • D

    Thank you for the link for the free version of AVG. Been wanting to update my 7.5 for a while…but the only version AVG led you to from their provided link was the paid version.

  • PTyson

    I may have to switch away from AVG if this is the case. I had to downgrade back to the 7.5 version because version 8.0 created some serious issues. It installs a “linux area connection on linux igd” network adapter. I believe that it uses this to check internet traffic. It somehow actually scrambled my Actiontec DSL router to the point that I could not telnet into it or enter the routers webpage. I know this to be true because it did it several times before I figured out that it was the AVG 8.0 that was causing it. After removing the AVG the problem went away. AVG is beginning to become bloatware. Bloatware always creates at least as many problems as it solves. Knocking out my router is a SERIOUS problem.

  • DR

    The 8.0 install will remove 7.5 automatically, no need to do it prior to installing 8.0.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello DR,
    Thanks for the information. Originally AVG recommended uninstall 7.5 before installing 8. Seems they have changed the procedure.

    Hi D,
    You are welcome.

    Hello PTyson,
    It is actually light on resources. Sorry you are having issues with it.

  • Dave

    I had one successful install on a XP laptop, one on a Vista desktop and 2 problematic installs on XP desktops. They first locked up then wouldn’t boot. I believe this is due to also having Threatfire installed. Started in safe mode and did system restore to get them working again.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Dave,
    Thanks for the info.
    Ron

  • Dick Hudson

    I tried AVG 8.0 and tried everything I could think of the set it up (and re-set it up) so that it would peruse separate files and folders for viruses on occasions where something had been downloaded from internet sources. It wouldn’t do it. Consequently, I reinstalled 7.5. I suppose when 5/29 approaches I will quietly migrate away from AVG.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Dick,
    Thanks for the info.

  • HarryH

    Oh dear, seems that AVG Ver 8 has issues depending on your configuration. And, indeed, a 45M download does seem a bit of bloatware. Avira may become an option regardless of their endless advertisements to buy their suite.

    Anti-virus has always been somewhat an issue for Windows users. From the time of the original Norton “Free updates for life” to the viewpoint that Norton’s ‘engine’ was now obsolete requiring a subscription to keep it up to date we suffer. Odd in a way that updates require a subscription for most AV vendors. They all share in a somewhat common community of AV researchers and that must get paid for somehow. Perhaps the end is coming for free AV for consumers. I hope not.

  • http://gayleart.com Gayle

    Hi,
    I found this site when looking for XP modem driver. Thanks for tech news and AVG news. I have Windows 98 so cannot use AVG anymore. I just got Vista-XP dual OS so can still use internet. Now wonder if download was a trial.
    Are there any other free or inexpensive, good anti-virus programs?

  • http://caeos.info caeos

    it seems to me that you cant use the new 8 series avg for anything pre win- XP

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Gayle & caeos,
    Check out this site for recommendations on free A/V programs.

    http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm#2

    AVG 8 goes back to Win2K.

    A lot of people like Avast and swear by it.

    Hope this helps.

  • Denny

    Geeeeeezzzzzzz . . . Ron

    I have Never Heard So Many Complaints About . .

    – - A – FREE . Product . That . Works – Great ! .

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Denny,
    We are fortunate that it works well on our systems. I have already installed it on 3 of my own systems and it works fine. But like any software, there seem to be issues on some computers. Most times it is a program conflict. Sometimes it is just the computer GODS ! :-)

  • http://smboren@sbcglobal.net Susan

    So I tried installing the free version 8 over my old 7.5 but the installation failed and gave a :Local Machine failed..item registry root HKCU (default user) failed…error 0×80070005…what’s up with that..I thought the old was supposed to have been automatically uninstalled…yep maybe I should go back to another program if this is going to be a big problem..

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Susan,
    Did you trying uninstalling 7.5 first and than install 8? Let us know if this works or not.
    Regards, Ron

  • http://smboren@sbcglobal.net Susan

    Ron,
    No, I did not try to uninstall yet since I received another message telling me that AVG version 8 is having lots of problems right now so I decided to wait for awhile. I did find it interesting that some sights such as this one says you don’t have to uninstall when forsome reason it did not uninstall mine.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Susan,
    The ‘no uninstall’ comes directly from AVG’s site. I believe that uninstalling AVG 7.5 and then a clean install of AVG 8 may work best. Just my two cents.

  • DougCuk

    I was intending to stay with v7.5 for the next few months at least – due to all the problems with v8.0. I support many older (retired) computer users and v8.0 really hammers the CPU on slower PC’s – v7.5 was very good for slower and low memory systems.

    AVG Free initially said they would continue updates until at least August 2008 – currently the Free Support Forum still gives the date as 31-December-2008. (This was posted May 5th by Michaelhd – AVG Team)

    However I have just had a popup from the installed program warning of a cutoff date of 31-May-2008. I am NOT happy – so much for ” good forward notice” as promised by AVG support on this issue.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi DougCuk,
    I hear you. It was short notice.

  • DougCuk

    I posted a query on the AVG Free Support Forum re the 31st May cuttoff date and received the following response from one of the forum Moderators:

    “This could well be a marketing ploy to quickly encourage users onto either the paid for or free version of AVG 8.0 but rest assured at this moment in time the deadline for 7.5 support, as stated by the AVG Team on the Free Forum, is quite definitely the 31st December 2008.”

    This info is still current as of May 12th – so I am sticking with v7.5 for now. Many people seem to be reporting that installing v8 without the Link Scanner option dramtically improves permormance on slower machines – see http://free.grisoft.com/ww.faq.num-1338#faq_1338

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello DougCuk,
    Thanks for the information. One wonders WHY is AVG giving users the update of May 31, 2008? I believe that is a real disservice to the users. But than again, you can’t beat FREE !!!! :-)

    Take care, Ron

  • Sam

    I just installed version 8.0 of AVG as per the nags. I am running Eudora version 6.2 and is causing me so many problems. As I am a lister with the Eudora for windows list, I have posted there and seems that many others are having the same problems.

    I would wonder why a company would pose such a software with that kind of major bug after using scare tactics for people to upgrade.

    I think I am going to start looking for some other program to manage my antivirus needs. As well in the meantime, I think I am also going to go back to 7.5

    This is especially since people that have the paid version are not even getting proper support from Grisoft.

    One more company not giving proper customer service any more to their customers.

  • Francesco

    AVG free 8 and eudora 7.1 in paid mode are gibing problems to me too.
    I get an initial error loading eudora, with same strange charaters, maybe with the cration of an instance of AVG7 kernel (err=0×80040154)

    FF

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    For Eudora users I would stick with AVG 7.5 for now. Though the nag screens indicate May 31, 2008 as when support ends, as mentioned above, it may not be until the end of the year. Hopefully by than AVG will have 8 fixed for all users no matter which email program they use.

  • http://www.AceFrye.com Ace Frye

    I recently did a fresh install of XP Pro SP3 – I installed AVG 8.0 & it nearly killed my machine by burning resources with the LinkScanner & deleted several of my files which were falsely flagged.

    I disabled LinkScanner & the real time protection but then ran into the issue of it *CONSTANTLY* bothering me with pop-ups that “your machine is not secure”.

    I then got very annoyed & hunted down a version of 7.5, installed that & things are fine. I keep getting the 8.0 pop-up (every morning when I come back to my computer) & am honestly wishing there was a way to kill it.

    I am not looking forward to the forced update & I may migrate away from AVG now.

    –JPF–

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Ace,
    Continue using 7.5 for now. AVG now indicates that it will work until 12-31-08. Hopefully by that time, version 8 will be fixed.

  • http://AVG Lorna belcevski

    I have tried at least 4x to get V8 – damn computers. I have a love affair with my computer love it and hate it.
    So, what is the bottom line,do we sit and wait ……….
    LB

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Lorna,
    I see it this way. We AVG users have two options. We can wait until AVG gets V8 fixed OR change to another free program such as Avast or AntiVir. I wish I had a better answer for you.

  • Mike Bolton

    AVG 8 currently will not load on one of my laptops. I have loaded it on a desktop machine with win xp home, and 2 laptops with xp home along with a desktop with vista. However, it will not install on a win xp pro laptop. The installation runs through the process then reports an error after waiting for 900016 of the 10000ns waiting period. I really like AVG and whenever I receive an unprotected PC to repair, I always install AVG for the user. However, I am currenly at a loss as to this current problem. I cannot uninstall 7.5 because AVG does not appear in the Add/remove prog area, nor does going to start/all progs/avg give me an uninstall option. Any ideas?

    Thanks

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Mike,
    Check out the FAQ section and see if it helps.
    http://free.grisoft.com/ww.faq.num-1236#faq_1236

    When you went to install 8 it automatically uninstalled 7.5. This is why it is not showing up.

    FWIW Others are also experiencing problems as well.

    Last step. Try the Free forum for AVG 8
    http://freeforum.avg.com/list.php?13

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Heh Mike,
    Try this download:

    “Download from a different location [www.grisoft.cz] and try installing with that… “

  • dalez

    Re AVG 7.5…
    8.0 DOES NOT work with anything later than Win-2000. It does not work with 97 or ME…and a lot of us still have those neat ones.

    Also: it WILL NOT uninstall from Windows-ME. And when you write to AVG you get nothing.

  • John Horst

    I installed AVG 8.0 on one PC with XP and it worked great. Unfortunately, it didn’t work on the other PC with Windows 2000 PRO. I installed it 3 times. Now I can’t even download AVG 7.5 Free anymore. Looks like I am going to have to upgrade to XP.

  • ProfessorW

    I will never upgrade to AVG 8 it is a piece of junk. The only two things I must do are stay white and love Jesus. Other than those two things, I don’t have to do anything. I will just keep AVG 7.5 since I like it better. I don’t care what you say I have to do Batman as Joe Clark said I don’t have to do anything except stay black and die. Go AVG 7.5.

  • Thuzar Aye

    HI! Every body . Do u know the download of the avg update is always out of date. So if u know the way please answer my question?

  • Zaw Zaw

    hi
    Everybody

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Zaw Zaw

    Hi back! :-)

  • Vee

    I find it very difficult to upgrade the new avg 7.5 to 8.0, so please help me on how to do it fast.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Vee,
    Forget 8.0. you now want to get 8.5 which includes anti-spyware as well.

    http://free.avg.com/download?prd=afe

    Use the bottom link on the left to download 8.5.

    Hope this helps, Ron