"Local disks" and "Folders"

[XINLAI-A]

Hi, Tech,

When we choose the place to scan, there's three choices, they are:"Local disks", "Folders" and "Removable Media".  I have a question about "Local disks" and "Folders",  What is the difference between them?

By my understanding, "Local disks"  refers to our system disk, right? (Mine is Local disk C)  But then I can also choose the local disk C in the "Folders", since "Folders" already inclueds local disk C, I think Avast only needs the other two choices "Folders" and "Removable Media". Unless there is a difference between "Local disks" and "Folders".  What is your opinion?

Thanks for your help.

[Lisandro]

Local disks means all disk partitions of your computer C: D: E: and so on...
Folders are inside of a partition. If you select all folders (including the root) you'll scan all the partition. If you scan all the partitions you'll scan all local disks.

[MikeBCda]

Should add one other point of difference, which is more specific to avast than to your computer.

Your "last scan" (or however it's worded) on the Status screen will only update correctly if you select local disks for the scan.  Folders won't do that, even if you tick off entire drive(s).

Or at least that used to be the case, possibly been changed in recent versions and I overlooked it.

[XINLAI-A]

Local disks means all disk partitions of your computer C: D: E: and so on...
Folders are inside of a partition. If you select all folders (including the root) you'll scan all the partition. If you scan all the partitions you'll scan all local disks.

Hi, Tech,

Thanks for your reply.

So I think it is better for us to do a through scan (with achives) monthly on the "Local disks" than "Folders", right?  Because it includes all the partitions. Is that what you meant?

 

[Marc57]

You really only need to do through scan if you suspect something is on your computer. For a monthly scan, I would suggest a Standard scan W/O Archives checked. (Much faster scan)

[Lisandro]

So I think it is better for us to do a through scan (with achives) monthly on the "Local disks" than "Folders", right?  Because it includes all the partitions. Is that what you meant?

Exactly.

[DavidR]

So I think it is better for us to do a through scan (with achives) monthly on the "Local disks" than "Folders", right?  Because it includes all the partitions. Is that what you meant?

Archive (zip, rar, etc.) files are by their nature are inert, you need to extract the files and then you have to run them to be a threat. Long before that happens avast's Standard Shield should have scanned them and before an executable is run that is scanned. Thorough is also by its design very thorough and perhaps a little overkill for routine use, were a Standard scan without archives should be adequate.

I have only ever done a Through Scan with Archives once shortly after installation just to ensure a clean start state, but with XP for example avast will do a boot-time scan after installation if you select it, this I believe will be quicker and reasonably effective. Like everything in life things are a compromise.

[XINLAI-A]

So I think it is better for us to do a through scan (with achives) monthly on the "Local disks" than "Folders", right?  Because it includes all the partitions. Is that what you meant?

Exactly.

    Thanks again, Tech and David R.

[DavidR]

No problem, glad I could help to clarify.