Are you F**king kidding me, It's one thing to advertise your own stuff .....

[Cluster-Lizard2014]

Yes, if the paid for product had additional features you want which are worth it. That it is just less intrusive is not an additional feature you should have to pay for. 

How likely is it that if an user of the 'free' AVAST version is being significantly annoyed by the unnecessary third party and self-promotion pop-ups they would think to grab their wallet and shell out for the 'full' version?

When you decide to start paying directly for a particular type of software the world is your oyster. Thinking that you would actually choose a product from the same company whose marketing techniques via their 'free' version have effectively bullied you into making that decision is what does not make any sense.     

[bob3160]

Yes, if the paid for product had additional features you want which are worth it. That it is just less intrusive is not an additional feature you should have to pay for. 

How likely is it that if a user of the 'free' AVAST version is being significantly annoyed by the unnecessary third party and self-promotion pop-ups they would think to grab their wallet and shell out for the 'full' version?

When you decide to start paying directly for a particular type of software the world is your oyster. Thinking that you would actually choose a product from the same company whose marketing techniques via their 'free' version have effectively bullied you into making that decision is what does not make any sense.   

I don't know what you consider bullying? An occasion popup certainly isn't any big deal. If you're getting more than that,
maybe it's time to check your settings and your installation.

[DavidR]

There really has to be a balance and marketing doesn't seem to have that balance right. 

I don't believe many would complain if there were the occasional popup, but it becoming much more frequent could have the reverse effect. Too much push from one side meets resistance from the other side.

Much of what I see people getting hot and bothered about are the popups resulting from your use of the computer, Avast looking over your shoulder to serve up ads.  Gaining or taking advantage of their privileged position, being installed on the users system.  Even if you have a minimal installation without components that they are pushing in the ads.

[Cluster-Lizard2014]

^ That is pretty much what I meant, getting the balance right. I see nothing wrong with AVAST telling you at boot via a tray icon message that everything is up to date, working and, if they must, include some sort of discrete promotional content for things like CCleaner, the full AVAST version or even third party 'partners' at the same time. That would be an acceptable extension of what it did/does anyway.

But once booted AVAST should shut the hell up and do its job quietly, effectively, reliably so you can forget it is even there but know it is still providing good protection. No unnecessary pop-ups, a good GUI with as much opt in user control over everything as possible and everyone is happy. Yay!