Hi alicez!
Welcome to the avast! web forum!
I hope you enjoy using avast!
Basically the settings of avast! are very good for the average user, but if you would like to customize them you also have many possiblities to do that.
The automatic updates can be deactivated by rightclicking the avast!-symbol in the taskbar --> settings --> Update (simple) --> set whatever you want...
Avast does no special scan at startup exept the rootkit scan some time after the system start...
Avast permanently scans your PC.
If you need further help please simply ask or if you want, you can use the
avast! Home manualyours
onlysomeone