Where is the Updates file?

[romeonation]

Hello
I frequently re-install my Windows OS.  

So, I normally backup all my software along with their updates.   I would like to know where Avast's update files are stored.  Suppose if I need to back up the updates file of Avast, so that I can re-install Avast after the re-installation of my OS, how can I restore the virus database?

Is there a single signature file or are the updates in a special folder?

Please let me know.

Backing up of virus updates is a very important feature of an anti-virus software, isn't it?  Otherwise, re-installing afresh and then downloading updates is really painful for dial-up users like me, right?

== Santosh C
      India

[Lisandro]

Hello
I frequently re-install my Windows OS.  

So, I normally backup all my software along with their updates.   I would like to know where Avast's update files are stored.  Suppose if I need to back up the updates file of Avast, so that I can re-install Avast after the re-installation of my OS, how can I restore the virus database?

Is there a single signature file or are the updates in a special folder?

Please let me know.

Backing up of virus updates is a very important feature of an anti-virus software, isn't it?  Otherwise, re-installing afresh and then downloading updates is really painful for dial-up users like me, right?

== Santosh C
      India

Santosh, wellcome to forums...

I think it's better to update by Internet even if you have a dial-up. The update will be fully integrated with your program (Registry, ini files and so on...).
But if you want to make a test, copy the folder setup under your avast! installation folder.  

You can download the entire vps file (update for virus database) (it's just a few bigger than a floppy, it's not to big for a dial-up).  

[romeonation]

Thanks Technical!

I understand that the updates will make changes to the registry entries and ini files.

Yeah..you are right....even if I install my OS once in three months or so, it ain't really that bad to download AVAST! updates via my dialup.  

I am really impressed with the automatic updates of AVAST! , that is just the reason why I moved from my AVG6 to AVAST!.  I really love the AVAST skins too.  

== Santosh
      India

[kubecj]

In order to have the latest possible updates, you may download latest full installer - setupful.exe. It's about 7MBs.

On the other hand, you may install the old one, the differential mechanism will _always_ download maximally these 7MBs, in fact I would be surprised if it would be over 3MBs.

[MikeBCda]

With specific reference to the vps updates, they're quick enough and smooth enough that if a new one's available, it'll usually download and install in the background and I'm not even aware of it until that advisory popup afterwards.  And I'm on a 56 dialup (auto-update for database updates).

[romeonation]

Hi Kucebj

Will there be a similar "complete" updates setup - setupful.exe, say in May 2004, and one in dec 2004?

Can I have a "full" update setup file every six months or so?

Thanks

Santosh   C
India

[igor]

It is not a special "updates" setup - it's simply the installation package. If avast! is not installed on target computer, it will install it; when avast! is already installed, it will update it.
The setup executable is updated whenever an avast! update is released.