"Right now we don't have an option to install AVG 2012 version, we have the latest AVG 2016 version available with us"
I have a copy of this AVG 2012 install file: avg_free_stb_all_2012_2176_cnet.exe, and if anyone else needs it, just e-mail muspench-at-hotmail.com.
"the update takes place automatically and there is no option to stop it"
Actually, there IS a way to stop this unwanted Zen update, as well as other unwanted program updates. I went over it above, but here's a list of steps in AVG 2012:
1. Tools > Advanced settings > Schedules > Definitions update schedule > Uncheck Enable this task
2. Tools > Advanced settings > Schedules > Program update schedule > Uncheck Enable this task
3. Click the Update now button in the main user screen. You'll see a list of updates AVG wants to send you. Leave the virus database update option checked, uncheck Program update to block the Zen update, then (and only then) download.
Repeat that process daily until AVG stops trying to force users to accept unwanted program updates.
"We understand that you are trying to install AVG free but AVG Zen is getting downloaded"
No, I have AVG 2012 and didn't try to download anything other than virus definitions.
AVG decided to sneak the Zen program update in with the virus definition download. To AVOID the program update after reinstalling AVG 2012, you notice I had to take this step ("Tools > Advanced settings > Schedules > Definitions update schedule > Uncheck Enable this task").
That is how I ended up with Zen and without most of the day I had to waste ditching Zen and reinstalling AVG 2012.
I reinstalled AVG 2012 on November 14, I've been using the three steps outlined above ever since, and I still have AVG 2012, so it can be done.
AVG probably hasn't told you guys how that works and if you don't have a copy of AVG 2012 you won't be able to figure it out, but a customer CAN keep a copy of AVG 2012 running if that is what the customer wants.
Hey, AVG support personnel: Would you please tell whoever's responsible for barring us from downloading & using old AVG products that we'd love to have access to those products again? They were materially different, they're superior to new AVG and other new AV programs, and trying to herd unwilling users to a new version every year drives a lot of us away from AVG altogether.
Thank you.
Hello Chris,
We are sorry to hear this. The issue might have caused because of the unstable version of AVG installed in your computer. The product is neither in 2016 or in 2017 version completely. We suggest you to completely remove all the traces of AVG from your computer and install the latest version from this link http://files-download.avg.com/inst/mp/AVG_Ultimate_1827.exe and that should fix this issue. We do not have an option to install 2016 version of AVG again. You can install latest release of 2017 version of AVG and that should fix all this issues.
Thank you
Note: OK, we're about to test whether unchecking the Enable this task box in Advanced Settings > Schedules > Program Update will prevent AVG from carrying through with its threat of an automatic update (again, unwanted) of my AVG 2012.
AVG just sent me two messages warning me of the update (11/12/2015), and I've made sure my AVG 2012 is set to reject that update. We'll see what happens in the next 24 hours.
"you can disable AVG Program update which is enabled by default for security reasons. You can disable that from advanced settings>update"
This answer was provided on 07/09/2015, and I disabled program update accordingly. AVG warned me it would try the program update trick yesterday and followed through this morning, although I did NOT want that to happen, and disabling program update was no help at all.
AVG gave me NO option to reject the update-- I couldn't even kill the program through Task Manager, which was incredibly annoying.
My AVG 2012 was replaced with AVG Zen, which I don't want, won't use, and uninstalled the minute AVG let me have a word in edgewise. That happened this morning, and I've spent most of today doing various system restores, giving up on the AVG uninstaller, and finally downloading an AVG remover program to clean the restored-but-unusable AVG 2012 off my computer.
This new answer is exactly what you never want to tell a customer: "there is no option to get back the older version back," because that says you don't care about customers who just want AVG to leave their installations alone (a modest request any way you look at it).
As it happens, there IS a way to get AVG 2012 back, because I worked all day to achieve that very thing: wipe every vestige of old AVG installations, then rerun your existing AVG install package (which you should always keep for just this kind of stupid manufactured emergency).
Here's the key: After disabling program update (see above), turn off automatic updates (in 2012, that's Schedules > Definitions Update Schedule > Uncheck Enable this task) and do a manual check for updates every day.
NEVER, ever accept a program update. There are checkboxes for various updates, so just uncheck program update every time before download. It's very annoying to have to go through this extra step, and it certainly makes AVG less functional, but the alternative was abandoning the program altogether.
Tech Support, will you please tell corporate to stop forcing unwanted program updates? Also, make extras like AVG Safe Search and AVG Web Tuneup opt-in rather than forced opt-out, because I didn't need or want either but somehow became stuck with them over the years.
Now they're gone and I have exactly what I want (AVG 2012's detailed text interface, no extras, certainly no management interface for devices I don't own). AVG REALLY made me work for it, though, and I don't appreciate that. Thank you.
OK, so this is correct: "AVG is changing working AVG installations on other systems because of a problem with one system, Win 10." Detailed replies to replies follow, and my thanks to those replying.
Hello, Subhadeep! I tried AVG 2015 and switched back to 2012 because the 2015 interface was pictorially oriented rather than text-based, and icons are meaningless to me. I want to see text menus presented as column or row headings (along the top or left side of the application window, preferably) rather than something that looks like a touch-screen menu.
I can no longer examine the old interface to find specific examples, but as I recall a lot of the old detailed options for scheduling, scans, and updates were either missing or not readily available. I didn't mind using an old version to get those options presented in a clear & accessible way, but I very much mind AVG updating itself without asking me first.
It's unacceptable to change anything on a user's computer without permission, much less an entire program. I was furious when I saw the notification that I suddenly had 2015 instead of 2012-- that's a fundamental violation of trust, and I was genuinely surprised to see AVG go that route.
So if I can revert to AVG 2012, I'll be glad to do that, but I don't want 2015. Thanks very much.
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Hello, Rajarajan! Yes, this is true ("Windows 7 can be upgraded to Windows 10"), or I could install Linux, or I could buy a Mac, but I want to keep Win 7 and AVG 2012, the latter of which was removed without my permission last night.
That being the case, I'll keep Win 7, use another free antivirus program, and hope AVG changes its mind. Thanks very much.
Hello Armando. It is to keep you informed that the AVG 2012 and older versions of AVG is not supported in Windows 10 and that's the reason the program has been automatically updated to the AVG 2015 version. Thank you.
It has happened again ! I only updated the definitions manually and it has updated me from AVG 2012 to AVG 2016 without my consent. We use paid for internet security. I have got to the point where I detest AVG and will never purchase anything from them again. Their arrogance is beyond belief. At one time I would have recommended AVG to anybody who asked but now my advice would be the opposite. I will uninstall this rubbish today.
I am having a similar problem with AVG and cannot find another way to contact product support. I have 2013 which works wonderfully for my XP pro computer that I have use for years even before I had the 2013 version. This computer will not handle newer versions of Windows. When I try to update AVG VIRUS DEFINTIONS it wants to update the enire program itself, which take too many resources to run on my computer. All I want to do is update the VIRUS DEFINITIONS as I have done for years. How without installing never versions of AVG?
Hello Dave,
We regret the inconvenience caused. We always recommend the latest version (2016) of AVG program for more advanced protection and features. What is the operating system of your computer? Does your computer meet minimum system requirements (http://avgread.me/1Ewajhi) ? Could you please elaborate the issue you find in the latest version, which will help us in assisting you. If you are experiencing any issue in AVG GUI, please provide screen-shot (http://avgread.me/1aZxsAV). Thank you.
It has happened again ! I only updated the definitions manually and it has updated me from AVG 2012 to AVG 2016 without my consent. We use paid for internet security. I have got to the point where I detest AVG and will never purchase anything from them again. Their arrogance is beyond belief. At one time I would have recommended AVG to anybody who asked but now my advice would be the opposite. I will uninstall this rubbish today.
I'm running Win 7, and AVG just updated itself from 2012 (which I have to use) to 2015 version without my permission. I need to undo the change as fast as possible. Can you provide a quick solution? Thanks much.
@ Alan
Thanks for letting me know. I am willing to take your word for it, since you have shown you know what you are talking about.
Between having AVG 2016 Protection "upgraded" without my request to an unfinished (no manual, no logs unless you manually create log files, no way to disable popup ads on a paid product as far as I can tell, no control over reporting scan results, no way to disable AVG Shredder) version of 2017 Protection which is incompatible with the rest of my AVG Software then being told that I can't have back 2016, as well as the abysmal responses offered by the official tech support on this thread, this does mean that after 20 or so years of using AVG I'm going to jump ship instead of renewing my subscription when it runs out.
I hate being one of those people who claims everything is always going downhill, but I stopped recommending AVG to other people a few years ago, and my desktop ran noticably better with AVG Tuneup 2015 tweaking it compared to 2016 (to the point that I have left 2015 Tuneup on my gaming laptop). I've made an earnest effort to stick with the company that provided me with such wonderful free products for 15 years, but by this point I've made all due diligence in sticking with them. Now I'm instead forced to actively warn people about the problems they have instead of recommending AVG when people ask me for advice on keeping their computers safe.
We do understand your concern. Due to the arrival of new threats and infections, we have updated our AVG security program with high new security patches and updates to enhance the computer security.You can also submit your valuable feedback through this link, so that concern team will definitely get look into that: http://www.avg.com/product-feedback .
Thank you for understanding.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused.
We like to keep you inform that AVG 2016 version has many advance features like better malware detection, real time outbreak detection, Artificial detection, improved online shield, faster and easier navigation and also attractive graphic design. It is always recommended to upgrade your latest version of AVG to be free from latest virus definition.
We will also respect your valuable feedback and forward it to our developing department. It will get resolved as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Hello Dave,
We regret the inconvenience caused. We always recommend the latest version (2016) of AVG program for more advanced protection and features. What is the operating system of your computer? Does your computer meet minimum system requirements (http://avgread.me/1Ewajhi) ? Could you please elaborate the issue you find in the latest version, which will help us in assisting you. If you are experiencing any issue in AVG GUI, please provide screen-shot (http://avgread.me/1aZxsAV). Thank you.
This has started again. I found this morning that all our paid for Internet Security AVG 2012 PC's had been upgraded without my consent to AVG 2016. The GUI on any AVG product from 2013 is useless on a desktop and horrible to use. Unfortunately there is no other theme that can be loaded other than BLACK. The last time this happenned when renewing I canclelled within the 2 weeks and got our money back and now use a competitor. The renewal on the AVG PC that are left comes due in January 17 and we will be going somewhere else. AVG is so arogant and does not listen to what its customers want and in my view does not deserve our business. We have been using paid for AVG for over 10 years.