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Since I install with Internet access disabled, including during the "post-install" restart, it should be clear there's no way for those checks to "see" information about "emergency" or "micro" updates, etc. etc. Presumably, starting the UI to check About would only be able to show the .zero at the end. Presumably that would also mean that the restart would happen with no "corrections" and be subject to all initial bugs that have later fixes. I consider the process you describe as altering what was installed behind my back.
This really isn't behind your back, it is what a resident on-access antivirus does.
Two kinds of updates are identified:
1. Engine and virus definitions.
2. Program.
These have separate settings with "auto," "ask" and "manual" as the choices. For Program updates, there are two "ask" variants: after or before download.
My settings for these are "auto" and "ask" (before download), respectively. When I am asked, I actually go get the offline installer and use that to implement the update. About shows my current Program version as 19.7.2388 (build 19.7.4674.531). Since I only installed the .zero version, it sure looks to me like program changes are being made "behind my back" without asking.
You aren't starting the UI as such it should already be running after installation not when you open it as such. It checks for VPS updates Which as I said included engine updates (the scanning engines/elements) and the emergency update check is a scheduled task.
I used "UI" as the normal abbreviation for "User Interface." It appears there is a component Avast calls "UI" which includes functionality outside of the scope of interacting with the user.
Unless you completely unplug the internet cable or WiFi then a connection would be available.
It is sufficient to disable the relevant network device in Device Manager, which is what I do. I have confirmed that it will stay disabled until explicitly enabled again, e.g. including over restarts and shutdowns.
I don't feel comfortable moving to 19.8 as originally released.
If that is the case you shouldn't have updated in the first place and waited, there is nothing to stop you setting the Program Update function to Notify but not install or set to Manual (Ask when an update is available).
If you are still uncomfortable, then I believe your only way would be to start from an earlier version 19.7 if you saved a copy of the off-line installer or can find it at a download site. When installed before restart set the program update to Manual.
I
am waiting... for an offline installer for 19.8 that has been updated. In my view, each time a "build" is pushed out, the corresponding offline installer should be built to replace the then current one.
