The latest version of Avast free anti-virus includes a desktop gadget which cannot be disabled via the program's settings. Many users have found this innovation quite annoying (including myself), here is how to prevent the gadget from displaying:

Go to [b:fxdlx0tx]Start>Control Panel>Programs and Features[/b:fxdlx0tx], locate the entry for Avast and double click on it. A screen will appear with three options; [b:fxdlx0tx]Change[/b:fxdlx0tx],[b:fxdlx0tx] Uninstall[/b:fxdlx0tx] and [b:fxdlx0tx]Update[/b:fxdlx0tx]. The "[b:fxdlx0tx]Change[/b:fxdlx0tx]" option should be selected (highlighted) by default, if not then highlight it and click[b:fxdlx0tx] Next[/b:fxdlx0tx].
[attachment=1:fxdlx0tx]Avast 1.png[/attachment:fxdlx0tx]

After a second or two a new 'Configuration' screen will appear. Near the top you will see the entry for "[b:fxdlx0tx]avast! gadget[/b:fxdlx0tx]". Click in the little box next to that option and replace the green tick with a red X. Click [b:fxdlx0tx]Next[/b:fxdlx0tx] and Avast will make the change and then ask you to restart.
[attachment=0:fxdlx0tx]Avast 2.png[/attachment:fxdlx0tx]

Once you have rebooted the gadget will be gone, never to be heard from again......somewhat like my first wife!!