@ mchain
The 'Load avast services only after loading other system services, doesn't mean you are unprotected startup.
The key words I have highlighted as it only effects Windows system services not every service. This is remained unchanged (at its default setting), unchecked and I did an update from the avastUI of 11.2.2262. This was the same for both my XP Pro and win7 installations.
I can't recall if the 'Skip checking of digital signatures was off by default previously (but I suspect so), if a file is detected as infected, I can't see the value of checking its digital signature.
Silent mode remained off on my program update.