Since installing excellent, free antivirus program AVG Free 8.0 on both my laptop and my PC I have been more than happy with the experience. It appears to runn smoothly without a notceable performance hit and my machines haven’t become riddled with virus’s (touch wood).
However just recently the automatice update has been failing with the following message.
Invalid Update Control CTF File
After doing some research and exploring on my machines it appears as though the CTF files have become corrupt in some way and need to be deleted.
How to Fix
Disclaimer: Remember to backup everything before making any changes.
As far as I am aware this only applies to Windows Vista and XP. Navigate to the following locations and delete only the CTF files leaving the BIN files on your PC’s (for me there were two ctf files I needed to delete).
XP: Navigate to “C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avg8\update\download”
Vista: Navgiate to “C:\ProgramData\avg8\update\download”
Good luck!
This fixed my problem, thanks a million.
I’m having the same problem with AVG, but can someone explain to me step by step how i navigte to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avg8\update\download. I’m not very good at this !!!
MB, if you are using XP, double click on ‘My Computer’ which is either on your desktop or start menu depending on how your PC is configured. Then double click on the ‘C:’ drive, then double click on ‘Documents and Settings’ etc. Does this help?
I’m using vista 64-bit. I copied the url into my explorer window, but all i see are .bin files and a folder “ads” that is empty. I am still unable to update. I was originally trying to update my Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS driver, but that led me to update my Bios to A14. This was the result of of almost all my programs being unable to update themselves, automatically, as well as manually. Are the files hidden? I can’t even seem to get a menu that will prompt me to select “see hidden files” or anything like that. Is there anything I can do?
First off, I have no experience of 64-bit windows vista but if you are experiencing the issue described above, “Invalid Update Control CTF File” when trying to update AVG, then the .ctf should be in that folder. The files are not hidden. Further, I do not have a “ads” folder.
My guess is that the issue is not directly linked with AVG and you have a bigger problem as you can not update any of the other programs you describe. Sorry I can not help any further, try the supplier you purchased the system from or Microsoft them selves.
I copied C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avg8\update\download
opened Run, pasted it in,hit ok and bingo, found the CTF files and deleted. Many thanks
Great, glad it helped Suzi.
Uh… I don’t have an application data file. Think I’ll just reinstall the whole thing, saves f*cking about.
There definitely should be one there. It would be less messing around to do this rather than uninstall. Try viewing hidden files.
I have removed my ctf files and there is nothing left in there and I still can not get my avg to update. My files are not hidden either. HELP!
Hey techchic, I am not too sure then I am afraid. AVG may have changed something in the release of 8.5 (this post is about version 8). Alternatively a full reinstall should solve it (download the newest version, disconnect from the internet, uninstall, reboot and reinstall.)
Thanks it’s worked. Thank you so much
hi all,
i have laptop with vista installed in it. i deleted .ctf file from the specified folder, but the problem still persist. does any one tell what to be done in such case. i reinstalled the program but still it is not updating and giving the same error. plz suggest………
i cannot find avg8 file pls help!!