BleepingComputer.com: AVG Free 2011 issue

I 'upgraded' my old AVG Free to the AVG Free 2011 a month or so ago. It worked fine for a while but within the past week the exclamation point inside the yellow triangle keeps showing up and the associated Windows security alert shield. After start up I would get two pop up windows that said a dll file was missing and AVG couldn't operate. I tried uninstalling but it would not uninstall. The uninstall seemed successful but the AVG icon is still in the taskbar and I can open the program. I then tried to reinstall thinking that might fix the issue but that didn't work either. When I open AVG it says the anit-virus and anit-spyware "VDB check has failed" and the resident shield is not active (even though the resident shield box is checked under the Tools menu). Any advice?

Hello,try using the free AppRemover utility to remove it, then reinstall it or another AV.

Using AppRemover

Worked like a charm. Thanks!

You're welcome

Have the same problem, but even after uninstalling with AppRemover, it still wouldn't allow me to reinstall AVG. Anyway to get AVG back, or do I need to install some other free anti-virus?

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I have been disappointed with AVG ever since they made a decision in April 2010 to partner with LimeWire and promote the use of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, a security risk which can make your system susceptible to a smörgåsbord of malware infections, remote attacks, and exposure of personal information.

With the release of AVG 2011, there have been numerous complaints about issues and conflicts with other security tools like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Read the related discussions at AVG:

• AVG 2011 Free vs. Malwarebytes
  
• AVG 2011 Resident Shield - File Exclude List Feature Removed
  
• AVG False Positive against Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

There have been reports of issues with the computer starting properly on 64-bit Windows sytems for which AVG has had to release these fix instructions.

There have also been reported problems with computers after using new features like PC Analyzer and PC Tuneup which purport to fix registry errors in order to make the system more stable and various optimizing tools which can make changes to system settings.

I do not recommend the routine use of registry cleaners/optimizers as they are extremely powerful applications that can damage the Windows registry by using aggressive cleaning routines and cause your computer to become unbootable. Using registry cleaning tools unnecessarily or incorrectly could lead to disastrous effects on your operating system such as preventing it from booting properly. For routine use, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.

Even MajorGeeks, a popular download hosting site has issued a Statement on AVG Free 2011 and recommends using other free alternatives.

For these reasons, I no longer recommend AVG as a free alternative.

Free Antivirus programs: (choose and install only one). I recommend any of the first three.

• avast! Free Antivirus
  
• Microsoft Security Essentials
  
• Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus
  
• Panda Cloud Antivirus
  
• Kingsoft Free Antivirus (Cloud Scan)
  
• RISING Antivirus Free Edition
  
• PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition