I downloaded a free version of AVG and it worked really well. After several months, some functions stopped working, so I assumed it was a trial version, not a free version. However, when I tried to remove it, it would not uninstall. I tried to remove it manually, but it is still there and blocking all attempts to install another virus checker.
Paul Oliver
There is no trial version of AVG: there is a free version (which is free forever) and a paid-for version with extra features. Loss of functionality may mean another program, or a virus, is blocking it.
Antivirus programs tend to use some deep tricks that make them hard to remove, otherwise viruses could disable them. However, they should uninstall correctly. If not, it's often because the program wasn't installed correctly, or because the installation has been corrupted. The simplest solution is usually to download and install the latest version of the program, then uninstall that.
In AVG's case, the uninstallation option is included as part of the setup wizard. When you try this, disconnect your PC from the net, disable all other security software and reboot your PC before re-installing. Don't run any other programs while you are doing this.
AVG does not offer a removal tool. However, it does have a forum where users of the free version help each other. The section for AVG 8.0/8.5 Free Edition - Installation Issues has almost 8,000 posts, including one with "recommended basic AVG uninstall/re-install instructions".
