The Zen product has unfortunately made the AVG interface undesirable.
Though there were in the past ways to get around this, it is nolonger possible without suffering lack of complete protection.
Though up this point I have used AVG as my antivirus all my life, I am now switching to Avast for this very reason.
David, can you PLEASE advise which product a home user should now use for stand-alone PC as I cannot continue on with this ZEN thing.
I updated AVG Free Antivirus as instructed yesterday, and I have had nothing but headaches since. This ZEN Feature on the FREE version is STRAIGHT GARBAGE. It serves no purpose to someone who simply wants basic protection, other than to necessitate bothersome steps and unnecessary functions. My grade for ZEN: BARRRF!
Per:
Aravind Gnanamurthy (AVG Technologies)
To install AVG Antivirus Free 2016 we request you to use the offline installation. To determine whether your OS is a 32-bit or 64-bit, please click on this link. http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/827218
For 32 Bit : http://files-download.avg.com/inst/mp/AVG_Antivirus_Free_x86_694.exe
For 64 Bit : http://files-download.avg.com/inst/mp/AVG_Antivirus_Free_x64_693.exe
Please feel free to contact us for any further assistance. Thank you.
Hello Mark,
We are sorry for any misunderstanding. Those instructions were provided to install the earlier version of AVG but not the latest free version. The latest free version of AVG comes along with Zen app only.
We apologize for the confusion, Jeff.
Since we updated our AVG programs, it is not possible to install the free version without Zen. The older version of 2015 may get installed without Zen interface but the virus definitions were not up to date and you won't be able to have the complete protection. Thank you for your valuable suggestion, we will certainely look into this. Thank you!
Hello Jeff,
I'm really sorry to inform you that we do not have option to install AVG Free Antivirus without AVG Zen. You can install AVG Free Protection with AVG Zen due to recent update with our AVG programs. Thank you for your better understanding.
I have followed your instructions being:
If you are using a free or trial version of AVG and wish to continue using an AVG product that does not include AVG Zen, you have the following options:
Uninstall your current product and download one of the following products from the AVG Download Center (all of which come without AVG Zen):
However, the set up install says it will be with ZEN, I am back where I started. Please advise correctly how to install AVG Free without ZEN.
I own a PC repair business and have always pushed my clients toward AVG since Leo Laporte deboued it on his show Call for Help back in the day on TechTV. Due to recent changes, a big one being that you can not get AVG without ZEN, I will no longer be pushing AVG products to my clients. And from what I have been reading online, AVG is going to be losing a LOT of business because of this.
I concur with the disaster that ZEN has created for AVG. I have had subscriptions for AVG Security for over 10 years, used on 3 computers. I augmented my subscription with Unlimited ZEN in November. ZEN must have been released in pre-Beta. Too many bugs. Anti-theft only partially works…only completes Locate and Shout when near the base Unlimited ZEN PC, which makes it pretty much useless to find a stolen mobile device. Furthermor, the status messages on the ZEN PC often do not match the status declared on the mobile devices. Awful.
I see that its core engine is "Chromium". Bad coice by AVG. A couple of years ago I discovered Chromium has some of the characteristics of a computer virus, and can be very difficult to eradicate. It has hidden functions that cannot be erased…only suspended from active duty!
I am also a computer tech and have always installed AVG on all computers that I touch. I have also urged others to use it also. HOWEVER, since the integration with Zen, and no option to install without, I will be switching to another product also. AND, urging all my customers to switch also. Would sincerely request that the option to use AVG WITHOUT Zen be reintroduced.
Hello AVG, Is AVG ZEN is compulsary now ? Its like half decade of Using and updating the AVG, Last year it was possible to use it without the zen now ofline installer is bloated along with zen, Zen always interfares with another program, Now it is interfering with the IDM. Any solution? I dont want to leave avg it was alongside with my xp, 7, 8, and now 10 I dont think this is the end.
And also, I can,t find the automatic USB scanner, it is the main reason I started the AVG. Is it also gone? so sad 
Hello AVG, Is AVG ZEN is compulsary now ? Its like half decade of Using and updating the AVG, Last year it was possible to use it without the zen now ofline installer is bloated along with zen, Zen always interfares with another program, Now it is interfering with the IDM. Any solution? I dont want to leave avg it was alongside with my xp, 7, 8, and now 10 I dont think this is the end.
And also, I can,t find the automatic USB scanner, it is the main reason I started the AVG. Is it also gone? so sad
Hello Angela,
We regret for the inconvenience caused.
AVG Zen is the common interface connects all the devices.
You can create AVG Zen network and manage scan and updates of other devices as well through AVG Zen interface.
Please submit your valuable feedback in this link http://www.avg.com/us-en/product-feedback
Thank you.
Per:
Aravind Gnanamurthy (AVG Technologies)
To install AVG Antivirus Free 2016 we request you to use the offline installation. To determine whether your OS is a 32-bit or 64-bit, please click on this link. http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/827218
For 32 Bit : http://files-download.avg.com/inst/mp/AVG_Antivirus_Free_x86_694.exe
For 64 Bit : http://files-download.avg.com/inst/mp/AVG_Antivirus_Free_x64_693.exe
Please feel free to contact us for any further assistance. Thank you.
We apologize for the confusion, Jeff.
Since we updated our AVG programs, it is not possible to install the free version without Zen. The older version of 2015 may get installed without Zen interface but the virus definitions were not up to date and you won't be able to have the complete protection. Thank you for your valuable suggestion, we will certainely look into this. Thank you!
I concur with the disaster that ZEN has created for AVG. I have had subscriptions for AVG Security for over 10 years, used on 3 computers. I augmented my subscription with Unlimited ZEN in November. ZEN must have been released in pre-Beta. Too many bugs. Anti-theft only partially works…only completes Locate and Shout when near the base Unlimited ZEN PC, which makes it pretty much useless to find a stolen mobile device. Furthermor, the status messages on the ZEN PC often do not match the status declared on the mobile devices. Awful.
I see that its core engine is "Chromium". Bad coice by AVG. A couple of years ago I discovered Chromium has some of the characteristics of a computer virus, and can be very difficult to eradicate. It has hidden functions that cannot be erased…only suspended from active duty!
I am also a computer tech and have always installed AVG on all computers that I touch. I have also urged others to use it also. HOWEVER, since the integration with Zen, and no option to install without, I will be switching to another product also. AND, urging all my customers to switch also. Would sincerely request that the option to use AVG WITHOUT Zen be reintroduced.
@ Kescarte DeJudica
OK Kescarte, No probs… Thanks for returning to the Community & posting.
AVG Guru
@Alan Binch:
Thank you for pointing this out. I have had issues with Avast as well. I have since switched to Bitdefender for my antivirus needs and have been very pleased with their performance. Excellent detection rate, decent speed, and very simple UI.