PC help: Simple AVG updates

Q I have three computers all with AVG7 Free Edition installed for anti-virus protection. After I have updated one computer, is it possible to do the same with the other two using the same update. I use a dial-up internet connection and want to reduce the time spent online.
Peter Sutton

A It is possible to download updates for AVG as a single file that can then be used on each computer in turn. The disadvantage of this process is that the updates tend to be larger and you will need to remember to check for updates yourself.

The first step is to check the version of the virus definition file used on the computers. The more recent the last update, the smaller the file from Grisoft will be. To do this, right-click on the AVG logo in the Notification Area and select Launch AVG Control Centre.

Next, go to the AVG Free website and click on the Downloads link on the left-hand side of the page and then on Updates. Left-click on the most recent update to download it to your computer. As the file will be used on several computers, it makes sense to download it to a USB key.

To install the update, right-click on the AVG icon in the Notification Area and select Launch AVG Control Centre. Click on the Update Manager button and then on Properties. Uncheck the option ‘Do not ask for the update source’ and click on OK. Click on the ‘Check for Updates button’ on the left-hand side of the window and select Folder when prompted for the update source.

Locate the folder with the update file in and then click on OK. AVG will then install the update.

In testing, the virus definition files for AVG were very small, around 8KB, and it was the software updates that were much larger. It would be best to leave each computer downloading priority updates individually and only use the manual process with the larger files. This will also take less time.