AVG Anti-Virus Free Without Google Chrome?

Hello David,

I completely understand the situation and concern. Please be informed that we are performing a major update from 2016 to 2017.
The reason is we are planning to make 2017 version as a standard one and from customers feedback we are making necessary changes to make it user friendly.
The update to 2017 version will happen automatically but it will not install the Google Chrome browser during the update.
A prompt will appear for it to install. I am sorry to know that it didn't happen in your case. I have passed this feedback to concern team and make sure that this won't happen in mere future.

To remove the traces of Google chrome, please use this remover tool: https://www.google.com/chrome/cleanup-tool/

Also, to make Seamonkey as your default browser, please check this website: http://seamonkey.ilias.ca/browserfaq/Default

If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact us again.

Yesterday, I updated AVG Anti-Virus Free to version 17.5.3021.  It also installed Google Chrome without giving me an option to reject Chrome.  I uninstalled Chrome using Windows Programs and Features.  However, the result left my preferred browser (SeaMonkey) no longer my default.  It also left several files in [C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG\Antivirus] with "chrome" in their names; these files are consuming 2.5 MB of disc space. 

Installing unwanted third-party software is equivalent to installing malware, which AVG is supposed to prevent.  Furthermore, I am unable to remove the residual "chrome" files.  How do I fix this?  How do I prevent this in the future?

When I tried deleting avchrome.dll, I got an error popup that said:
       You need permission to perform this action
       You require permission from SYSTEM to make changes to this file. 

I do not have a folder for Google Chrome.  It might have been deleted when I removed Chrome. 

I do have folders for chrome for Mozilla and other non-Google applications.  These are the result of applications using the name "chrome" before Google developed its browser. 
Hello David,
I'm sorry to hear about this. Applications files that gets locked on your system which start with your computer and runs in the background. You can use Windows’ Safe Mode, which cuts down on the programs that runs in background and that helps you to delete the program manually. So I suggest you to reboot your computer in safe mode (http://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?urlname=How-to-reboot-your-computer-into-Safe-Mode) and remove avchrome.dll (all Chrome traces) manually.
Best regards,
Alok.
David,

Thanks for trying. I would request you to delete the " avchrome.dll " file from the task manager manually.  Also please navigate to C: drive-> program files-> delete Google Chrome folder and check the status.

If you have any other problems, just let us know.
I was finally able to remove avchrome.dll.  That broke AVG Anti-Virus Free.  I had to use the AVG Remover Tool THREE TIMES before I could do a fresh install.  The fresh install did contain the option not to install Google Chrome.  For safety, however, I first selected the option not to make Google Chrome my default browser.  (I noticed that, if I merely removed the checkmark about installing Chrome, the checkmark remained for making Chrome my default browser.) 

This issue is now closed, at least for the current time. 
Hello David,
I'm glad to hear that you have fix the issue. Feel free to contact us again if you need any further assistance.
Best regards,
Alok.