NEW: RC release 11.2.2257 is out

[bob3160]

@ hectic-mmv,
Update as often as you need too but, give me the right to decide when that update will happen.
Notify me of a needed update. Since this is my computer and I know my workflow,
I should be the one who decides when that update will happen.

[Zeniit]

From update v2254 avast firewall not started and I can't start it manually too.

[Asyn]

From update v2254 avast firewall not started and I can't start it manually too.

Repair Avast:
1. Control Panel -> Add/Remove programs -> Avast
2. Click on 'Repair'.
3. Follow instructions.
4. Reboot.

[Michael529]

+ Silent Update process is ready
What is it?

Will be described in final release notes. Shortly, for future versions of Avast we would like that Avast updates automatically, silently by default. Previous update settings will be preserved.

This really is a bad idea:

First, as you should have seen from the troubles with Safezone, many, many people do not like silent updates. This is even more true for something central to the security of their computer than it was for that browser.

Secondly, come the day that there is a bug in the package that wasn't found in testing YOU will get the blame for breaking the user's computer. There is a world of difference between on the one hand me as a user deciding to try the new release, and it failing , and on the other me turning on my PC and finding that YOU put on software that doesn't work.

Thirdly, are you really sure that silent updates are lawful in all jurisdictions in which Avast is used? To be clear, you cannot over-ride national law by writing something into the EULA. I think that it is the law in the user's country that applies, not where you are based.

You may say that you do silent updates already with emergency updates. I think that the context is different. I see a significant difference between patching a system that has a fault and putting on a major update.

The one saving grace in your proposal is that there will be an opt-out - and I will opt-out if I continue to use Avast, which is not a given. If you insist on staying with the idea of silent updates then my advice is to make the process an opt-in and see what happens.

[Eddy]

First, the updates are (almost) never like the install of a new component like it was with the SafeZone Browser.
They are more about improvements of detection/blocking malicious things as well as about fixing issues.
Kinda like the streaming updates and vps updates as they are now.

Secondly, 100% certainty that something will work on all systems doesn't exist even though a lot of people are participating in the beta testing.
It simply is not possible to test with all hardware/software/settings options.
There are 100.000.000.000's of different possibilities.

Thirdly, yes it is legal in all countries to my knowledge.
I never heard/read anything otherwise in the many years it exists.
I bet if it wasn't it would have been all over in the news already.

[Zeniit]

From update v2254 avast firewall not started and I can't start it manually too.

Repair Avast:
1. Control Panel -> Add/Remove programs -> Avast
2. Click on 'Repair'.
3. Follow instructions.
4. Reboot.

Thanks, it is fixed.

[Asyn]

You're welcome.

[Dwarden]

I think "Silent update system" shall be renamed into "No need to Reboot update system"

that makes more sense and stop the conspiracy crowd from chanting stuff about breach of privacy ...

[Eddy]

Right now it is more like "on need to base" or "if we tell you, we have to kill you".

[Be Secure]

+ Silent Update process is ready
What is it?

Will be described in final release notes. Shortly, for future versions of Avast we would like that Avast updates automatically, silently by default. Previous update settings will be preserved.

Given the adverse user reaction of the silent (background) installation of the SafeZone Browser. I would be very wary about taking that step, you only have to browse the forums to see the anger about this.

We have also seen the reaction forums in the past, to forced program updates from old avast versions - even when updates were set to Manual Update.

What is the urgency/reason to even contemplate silent program updates.

Personally I hate forced program updates in any program, it is my system and I would like to control what happens on it and when.

We should do better communication about SafeZone Browser launch.

Silent option will be default. If you decide to change it to manual, we gonna keep this change for future releases.

I'm a bit puzzled Having just shot oneself in one foot, Will shooting yourself in the other foot make things better
<snip>

Well the limp won't be so noticeable having shot the other foot.

@ hectic-mmv
In all seriousness though, as I asked earlier:
What is the urgency/reason/benefit to even contemplate silent program updates ?

For most people they won't like that as we have seen in the past. But my major concern is these updates invariably occur shortly after boot (seen instup.exe in task manager lots and it is a bit of a hog) for those that shutdown systems at night. There really has to be a reasonable delay after boot to let the system settle down.

Also if these silent updates come in and as it is now program updates require a reboot, how will this requirement be handled or will there not be a reboot requirement ?

In a past we used to release new version each 3-4 version per year. Newly, we would like to release new version every month. Its inconvenient to ask for reboot so often so thats why silent updates are introduced. This brings us to opportunity to react on issues in a shorter time.

About reboot. Good point, update should be planned not immediately after reboot. To apply all the changes update requires reboot and there will be reboot request after certaion amount of time without reboot which is remotely configurable.

I am happy that Avast! think about that (This brings us to opportunity to react on issues in a shorter time.)But users should know what he/she installed and avast! should ask for a permission to do so

[Be Secure]

I think "Silent update system" shall be renamed into "No need to Reboot update system"

that makes more sense and stop the conspiracy crowd from chanting stuff about breach of privacy ...

+1

[davexnet]

I draw the line at a slient update adding a component that wasn't there before.

No problem if it's updating part of the product I already have installed.

[Patrick2]

Why Don't Avast release there "silent program updates" once a month say "Patch Tuesday/Wednesday" therefore when peoples PC reboots if that month has Windows updates that require reboot, it could reboot for both System updates to take effect and Avast, though if something goes wrong, they'll be like complaining then to, so really no win situation I suppose

[Dwarden]

ok, I just had again stuck threads issue ;(

[bob3160]

Why Don't Avast release there "silent program updates" once a month say "Patch Tuesday/Wednesday" therefore when peoples PC reboots if that month has Windows updates that require reboot, it could reboot for both System updates to take effect and Avast, though if something goes wrong, they'll be like complaining then to, so really no win situation I suppose

Strating with Windows 10, there no longer is a patch tuesday.