AVG AntiVirus Free's On-Line Shield Inoperative in Windows Vista

Hello Stephen,
We are sorry to know that AVG Online shield component is inactive in your PC.  Please run AVG Clear tool and AVG Remover tool to remove AVG traces using the below instructions:
1. Use the link https://share.avg.com/steam/PSP/AVG2017/AVG_Clear.exe to run the AVG Clear tool.
2. Open the AVG Clear tool, click Yes in the User Account control dialog.
3. Click No in the Windows safe mode dialog.
4. Select the installed version of AVG and also check the box 'Uninstall AVG Zen'. Then click Uninstall, and Restart computer.

Is there a way to turn on the On-Line Shield component in AVG AntiVirus Free 2017 operating on a PC with Windows Vista?
AVG AntiVirus Free on my PC with Windows Vista became partially inoperative 2 days ago when it automatically upgraded to the new 2017 version of the AVG program.  I'm in the process of replacing the PC due to Microsoft discontinuing support for the Vista OS, but need to protect the PC in the mean time.  After the AVG program upgrade, the Resident Shield, Software Analyzer, and E-Mail Protection components show "On" in the Settings screen, but the On-Line Shield component shows "Off."  None of the 3 obvious manual mechanisms worked for enabling the On-Line Shield:  Clicking the component switch to "On"  in the Settings screen, clicking the "Fix Now" button in the AVG AntiVirus Free opening screen (followed by PC restart), or clicking the "Protection is OFF" switch to "On" after right-clicking the PC desktop's AVG system tray icon (the switch jiggles but fails to move to the "On" position.)
Attempts at uninstalling & reinstalling AVG AntiVirus Free from a fresh download and using the AVG application's repair function both yield the same result:  The installation hangs up at 78% completion in the Setup screen and 98% completion in the AVG opening screen.  After a PC restart, the AVG application functions but with the On-Line Shield component Off.
The AVG telephone support staff's Product Specialist told me there is no way to download and install the AVG AntiVirus Free 2016 application that was working perfectly until the 2017 upgrade initiated automatically 2 days ago.

Hello Stephen,
We are sorry to know that AVG Online shield component is inactive in your PC.  Please run AVG Clear tool and AVG Remover tool to remove AVG traces using the below instructions:
1. Use the link https://share.avg.com/steam/PSP/AVG2017/AVG_Clear.exe to run the AVG Clear tool.
2. Open the AVG Clear tool, click Yes in the User Account control dialog.
3. Click No in the Windows safe mode dialog.
4. Select the installed version of AVG and also check the box 'Uninstall AVG Zen'. Then click Uninstall, and Restart computer.
  1. Download the AVG remover tool please click on this link:  http://aa-download.avg.com/filedir/util/AVG_Remover.exe .
    6. Run the downloaded tool and follow the instructions displayed on your screen.
    7. Your computer will be restarted automatically.
    After reboot, Open C drive and delete "AVG Remover" folder, also delete "AVG" folder in "Program files (x86)" in C Drive.
    Use the link to install AVG free Anti virus: http://files-download.avg.com/inst/mp/Antivirus_Free_1817.exe .
    Please get back to us for further assistance regarding AVG.
    Thank you.