AVG Free 2011 Concerns

I installed AVG 2011 over AVG 9 with no problem. However, there is a new feature called PC Analyzer that gives me some concern. I gave it a spin and it found a number of errors as noted on the attached thumbnail. I didn't use the "Fix Now" button.

The one area that concerns me most is the Registry Errors. A recurring theme I have seen by the experts on this board, which I agree with, is to avoid most "Registry" scanners and fixers. For the average user, the inclination will be to use the Analyzer and then run the fixes. I help a number of novices who are using AVG Free and will probably do this. The ultimate purpose is to download their AVG PC Tuneup for a one time fix and then purchase it for further use.

Although I don't care for the tactics used to get you to buy the AVG PC Tuneup package, my main concern is what might result from using the Registry Errors fixer. Does anyone have any experience with the AVG PC Tuneup?

I did notice that one of the Malware Analysts in the Removal section recently advised someone to install Avast or Avira. When the person came back with an alternative of AVG, the analyst pointed out that AVG was not one of the suggestions.

Right now my plan is move myself and the folks I am helping from AVG to Microsoft Security Essential. I have been using it on my laptop for about a year and have been quite pleased - although it is difficult to verify that the scheduled scans have been performed. Any comments?

 

I would not hesitate in recommending MSE, I had been using Avast (free version) for many years without any problem but recently had some eratic behaviour on my PC, Avast found nothing wrong. I then tried Malwarebytes, which is used extensively on this site, and that found nothing. I then discovered MSE and it found two trojan infections, my PC started to work again without any further errors. MSE has since blocked one or two infections from downloading to my PC. Microsoft know there OS's better than anyone so I think it stands to reason they would make the best AV software.

As far as registry cleaners go, I have used a few and had prblems with a couple that were too agressive. I now use Windows 7 Manager from Yamicsoft. It does seem to do exactly what it is supposed to do without major exageration of the number of errors it finds. I tend to use it just when things seem to have slowed down a bit or when a software installation has left registry keys behind, I have never noticed it cause a problem.

As with MSE I am sure MS would make a superb registry cleaner that we could use with 100% confidence. Maybe one day they will, or their future OS's will include a registry clean up tool as an automated part of the system.

 

PeteC and markmadras,

Thanks for your input. It would appear that few, if any, have utilized the PC Analyzer so I think I will just migrate the folks I am helping over to MSE and not have them tempted to experiment with the Registry Cleaner in AVG 2011.

I will mark this one as Resolved.