Update Avast 4 -> 5 ?

[crapoulou]

Hi all,
I'd like to know if we must download Avast 5 for having the lastest version or we can update our Avast 4 ?
If I'va for exemple Avast 4 Updated, am I protected as with Avast 5 ?
Just the interface changes ?

Thank you.
Crapoulou.

[DavidR]

Currently if you try a manual update in 4.8 it will probably tell you that it is up to date. The eventual update won't be automatic without your intervention, though I don't know exactly how they will do it.

Me I downloaded the English version and ran the off-line avast 5 installation file, with 4.8 still installed.

This will preserve the registration details, etc. of 4.8 and remove the 4.8 stuff too and install avast 5.0, this was a very fast installation. You will get asked if you want to use Google Chrome browser, if you already have it or don't want it check the No option.

[crapoulou]

Ok so it's better to install Avast 5.0 ?

Then, it's useless to uninstall the last version : installing Avast 5.0 delete automatically Avast 4.8 ?

[DavidR]

It isn't useless to first uninstall 4.8 there are many that prefer to do a clean install. I did it the way I suggested as someone else had done so without problem. Also one of the Alwil team said that by doing it that it retains your registration info, if you do a clean install that information isn't there and currently I'm not familiar how you register avast free 5.0.

[crapoulou]

Ok and concerning the database of Asat 4.8 updated : is it the same for Avast 5.0 updated ?

[MikeBCda]

I don't know if auto-updates (for defs) are working yet for v5, but doing a manual check for updates worked fine for me and most others.  David noted that a def update is for some reason saving an extra, pre-update, copy of the full database (30-odd megs), and we're hoping to hear from Alwil as to whether that can safely be deleted (manually), or if it really needs to be saved.

[DavidR]

The settings for VPS and Program updates are the same in 5.0.

The VPS auto updates have been working for me, check the windows event viewer, antivirus, they are information type entries.

[crapoulou]

If i'm well understanding, concerning protection only, I'm as protected either with 4.8 or 5.0 ?
It's the same thing ?

[DavidR]

avast version 5.0 has functionality that 4.8 doesn't have and as such even with avast 5.0 free version provides greater security than 4.8.

[CharleyO]

***

Auto-updates for v5 works for me in both the Free version on my netbook & the Pro version on my desktop tower.   


***

[crapoulou]

Ok, so everybody who have Avast 4.8 must download 5.0 ?!

[DavidR]

If you want to start using it right now instead of waiting for notification there is an update available in 4.8, I have no idea how they are going to handle that from 4.8 to 5.0, I gust didn't want to hang around waiting to find out.

[crapoulou]

And concerning the database : it's the same used ?

[DavidR]

There are some slight differences as avast5 can do more than 4.8 in relation to heuristics, though I don't know the details.

As far as I'm aware it is the same VPS update version being downloaded, just that 5.0 is able to use some that 4.8 can't.

[crapoulou]

Ok.
Thank you.
Last question :
Do we have to uninstall Avast 4.8 to have 5.0 or there is an easier way to change the version (button, ...)