Update settings

More news; will stop commenting here and continue at https://support.avg.com/answers?id=9060N0000005PfcQAE.
Thank you for the patience Ed.

We would like to explain it clearly.

The red warning prompt indicating "Protection is disabled" is with regard to manual updates being selected as opposed to automatic updates (which automatic updates is default/recommended and regarded as fully protected).

You will still remain protected from malware, contingent that you have the latest virus definitions (hence the "protection is disabled" warning notification).

So long as you didn't click the "fix now" option the manual update will remains applicable. If you click the "fix now" button, the manual update is toggled to automatic update, and upon a computer restart, the issue is resolved and red warning message is gone.

The exclamation mark in the tray is to notify you that your attention is needed. It is further necessary to open the application. Upon the application being opened you will be prompted with a red applicable notification. This is AVG's interpretation of normal behavior.
AVG free. I had already done a repair as suggested for the problem at https://support.avg.com/answers?id=9060N0000005Pfc.

If I set Virus definitions update to 'Ask when an update is available' or 'Manual update', AVG says 'Protection is disabled. Protection will be automatically enabled after PC restart'. Why??

Thank you for the information.
Let us perform the reinstallation using clear tool and check the status.
Run AVG Clear tool as mentioned in this article and remove the AVG Antivirus free program traces.
To install AVG Antivirus free, refer this article.
Restart the computer and see whether the issue persist.
Thank you for providing us the info, Ed. We'll check this with the concerned team & write back to you after receiving the required info. 
Thank  you for your understanding in advance!

Hello Ed,

We are sorry to know that.
Are you experiencing this on AVG Antivirus free or AVG Internet Security program?
Perform repair of AVG as mentioned in this article and see whether it says as "you are fully protected".
Keep us posted.

More news; will stop commenting here and continue at Updates | AVG.

Ed, this isn't the expected behavior.
Could you let us know whether the program says as "you are fully protected" when the virus definitions update changes to "automatic"?

2/2

Regarding the Laptop issue, it is also a normal behavior. User consent is necessary to update/install the software.

And the release notes are on the splash screen "after" the program has been updated. If you click on the icon "See What's New," and it will  provide the detailed updates to the version of software installed.

Thank you for understanding.
Thank you for the patience Ed.

We would like to explain it clearly.

The red warning prompt indicating "Protection is disabled" is with regard to manual updates being selected as opposed to automatic updates (which automatic updates is default/recommended and regarded as fully protected).

You will still remain protected from malware, contingent that you have the latest virus definitions (hence the "protection is disabled" warning notification).

So long as you didn't click the "fix now" option the manual update will remains applicable. If you click the "fix now" button, the manual update is toggled to automatic update, and upon a computer restart, the issue is resolved and red warning message is gone.

The exclamation mark in the tray is to notify you that your attention is needed. It is further necessary to open the application. Upon the application being opened you will be prompted with a red applicable notification. This is AVG's interpretation of normal behavior.
I ran the Clear tool and reinstalled. As I expected, the same thing happened: I set Virus definitions update to 'Ask when an update is available' or 'Manual update', and AVG said 'Protection is disabled. Protection will be automatically enabled after PC restart'. The 'Fix' button did nothing, so I restarted the PC and guess what?  Virus definitions update was reset to automatic. BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS, WHICH YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN AND NOT HAD ME WASTE AN HOUR OF MY TIME.

AVG free. I had already done a repair as suggested for the problem at Updates | AVG.