Avast! Version 5?

[Lisandro]

If Avast 5 has an embedded firewall then I'll kiss Avast goodbye and install Avira AntiVir.

They already said that we'll have both possibilities: a suite or independent products.

[Faizfast6]

I think sometimes Bloatware can be useful if it contains no unneeded component.

[nightshade]

From the previous pages, Avast will have a firewall and in the free version too?

From what I was told the last time, Avast 5 Free will be available as a suite including the firewall, and also as a separate application excluding the firewall.

If there has been a change to this future implementation I am sure someone will add something here.

I have no need for another firewall so I really hope we will be able to download Avast 5 with out any firewall. The Avast firewall should be a separate download.

If Avast 5 has an embedded firewall then I'll kiss Avast goodbye and install Avira AntiVir.

I came to Avast because AVG became bloated so if Avast does the same thing then I'm not avers to changing.

Please stop panicking, they have already said that there will be 2 independent products.

[nightshade]

Hi, as we are getting to the end of 2008, I just wondered if there is any update on the release of Avast 5

[Lisandro]

nightshade, I won't expect anything before the end of the first semester of 2009...

[nightshade]

nightshade, I won't expect anything before the end of the first semester of 2009...

I wonder if it will be a completely new installation, like a special removal tool for the older version.

I am a little bit worried that support will be lost, but I am still hopeful.

Have there been any recent murmurings about basic AV functions being supported for Avast 5 for 98 and ME?

[DavidR]

There was a notice on the avast.com site about support for win95 (can't recall if that is also win98 and winME) can't be guaranteed beyond the end of 2009, so there is at least a year and that would obviously encompass the release of version 5 if as suggested for 1st half of 2009, but as always there is no firm date.

So so long as it is released before  the end of 2009 it should still support older oses.

[nightshade]

There was a notice on the avast.com site about support for win95 (can't recall if that is also win98 and winME) can't be guaranteed beyond the end of 2009, so there is at least a year and that would obviously encompass the release of version 5 if as suggested for 1st half of 2009, but as always there is no firm date.

So so long as it is released before  the end of 2009 it should still support older oses.

Thanks David,

Well we should be ok then, as it should be released early next year hopefully.

[alanrf]

We have been led to expect it will be released in the first half of 2009 but the team have not guaranteed that ... it is goal only.

The avast team are saying that support for the Win9x operating systems is not promised to continue beyond the end of 2009.

[Lisandro]

I wonder if it will be a completely new installation, like a special removal tool for the older version.

As far I know, this time, you'll have to uninstall the old and install version 5. I think the setup will do it as a routine.

Have there been any recent murmurings about basic AV functions being supported for Avast 5 for 98 and ME?

Unfortunately, it's not a rumor...

[nightshade]

Unfortunately, it's not a rumor...

Yeah, but I said being supported, not too sure what you meant there.

[nightshade]

The avast team are saying that support for the Win9x operating systems is not promised to continue beyond the end of 2009.

Not promised, still a little hope then.

My next question is what do users that can't or for some other reason will not upgrade or buy a new computer do when they eventually lose support for their respective operating system, I ask as there ain't that many to be found these days.

[Lisandro]

Not promised, still a little hope then.

This is the hope I'll start to drop... maybe you can (I hope so) save some money to update your computer...
Nightshade, look, new technology goes further very fast and deep, programmers won't spend their time trying to make compatible with a 10 years old system... It's a rule of life, it's a rule of business...

[nightshade]

Not promised, still a little hope then.

This is the hope I'll start to drop... maybe you can (I hope so) save some money to update your computer...
Nightshade, look, new technology goes further very fast and deep, programmers won't spend their time trying to make compatible with a 10 years old system... It's a rule of life, it's a rule of business...

Update my computer with Vista, no chance.
I've seen the problems people have with that system.

I know the answer from most is update, yeah update, and find that I can't use any of my programs, so is this turning to that they won't be supporting 98 for Avast 5, is that where this is going?

Some say as long as 5 is released before the end of 2009 then older systems will be supported, then this.

Edit,

Ah well, I have just seen this Note: The operating systems Windows 95/98/Me/NT4 will be supported until the end of 2009.

http://www.avast.com/eng/system-requirements-avast-home.html

 

[alanrf]

This is no suggestion (that I have seen) that avast 5, when released will not support the Win9x systems.

However, at some stage in the lifetime of avast 5 it will be likely that the team will want to make changes to the update structure (as they have in the past).  Also in the past they have needed to force updates of avast itself to accommodate those changes.  Beyond 2009 they are not going to work to make such changes compatible with the Win9x systems. 

So, when that day comes it might occur that you could not update the program on Win9x systems and the updates would no longer be available for the older program releases.

As Vlk has commented, they wanted to make sure that users have plenty of notice that Win9x support for avast will end.

As you probably know Microsoft is terminating the sale of Windows XP licenses in January 2009 (there is a little fudging where they can be ordered by then but do not have to be taken up until May 2009).  After that Microsoft will only sell Vista until Windows 7 is released.   It may be that you could hang on with the current configuration until Windows 7 comes out but with the risk of not being able to keep more and more products on your system up to date.