Update/upgrade to AVG Free v 17.6.3029 corrupted the registry!

L Brecht, you can find answer to your question together with your another post here https://support.avg.com/answers?id=906b0000000E1wK
Please try to keep the whole conversation in one question/thread to speed up the resolution.

Help!  After the upgrade, my Windows 7 computer now boots up to an empty desktop with no access to any of my programs!!!  WTF!!!  A techie friend said that it's messed with the registry. Anyone else have this problem?

L Brecht,
I understand your concern.
Since you mentioned that you're unable to access any of the Programs, I suggested you to reboot in Safe Mode and check if the Programs are accessible.
Also, if the programs are still not accessible in Safe Mode, I suggest you to perform a System Restore and check if that resolve the issue with your Programs.

A System Restore might roll back the Registry Settings.

L Brecht, you can find answer to your question together with your another post here https://support.avg.com/answers?id=906b0000000E1wK
Please try to keep the whole conversation in one question/thread to speed up the resolution.

I don't understand how booting up in safe mode (which I did do) can solve a problem with the registry? Please explain! Thanks.