I use AVG 8.0 Free with Vista. AVG 8.0 normally checks and updates its virus definition automatically, but since the past couple of days it was not updating automatically. When I try to manually check for updates, I received this error message “Invalid Update Control CTF File”.
After doing some research, I found the solution to this problem on AVG forum. You need to remove the CTF temp files in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avg8\update\download. There were two files in that folder - avginfoavi.ctf and avginfowin.ctf, deleting them solved the problem and I was able to update AVG 8.0 with latest virus definitions.
Written by 
wrote, on November 15th, 2008
Thanks. It works. thanks for solving the problem.
wrote, on November 15th, 2008
Is this problem unique to Vista? I run XP and AVG, haven’t noticed any issues recently.
wrote, on November 16th, 2008
[...] [Via] [...]
wrote, on November 17th, 2008
As you know, I never did switch to Vista!
wrote, on November 17th, 2008
I now use ClamWin on my laptop, it’s just as effective as AVG, but uses less memory. Check it out and try it out. I’m still on Windows XP though, I doubt I’ll make the move to Vista. Just waiting for Windows 7 for a potential upgrade, but other than that, I’m still very happy with my XP.
wrote, on November 19th, 2008
thanks for the tip, it work beautifully now… cheers
wrote, on November 21st, 2008
1. It does happen of XP.
2. It does work on XP.
Thank you
wrote, on November 23rd, 2008
No it is not unique to Vista.
My problem is that I have manually removed the CTF files. I have also downloaded a lil program (from an AVG Beta tester) that removes the CTF files.
Neither of these have worked for me. Is there any other solution to this issue?
I would really like to update my AVG
wrote, on November 23rd, 2008
I found the fix…
There are 2 files that can be deleted as AVG will recreate them. If they become corrupted you will have to remove them manually.
In Windows XP, go to:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avg8\update\download
and delete
avginfoavi.ctf and avginfowin.ctf
In Windows Vista, go to:
C:\ProgramData\avg8\update\download
and delete these 2 same files.
Re-run the update.
Fixed.
wrote, on November 24th, 2008
I’ running XP and have this problem but the fix didn’t work for me. Any other suggestions?
wrote, on November 30th, 2008
thanks for solving problem.
wrote, on December 13th, 2008
It does happen on XP to - I have XP SP2 and AVG8 worked fine for about month then it started puking this error. Removing the CTF files did not help at all. Removed and reinstalled it… Still does not solves the error - it must be somewhere in the registry.
wrote, on December 15th, 2008
@Jon from November 23, 2008:
Per your first post, “My problem is that I have manually removed the CTF files” which you state did not work. Next post you indicate “I’ve found the fix” which is deleting (removing) the same CTF files you stated you’d already removed. The “fix” you discovered was the point of the page you commented on. It’s terribly impolite of me to disrespect a fellow human I’ve not met - however noise like you put down w/ your two posts restating info already present is proof some shouldn’t be allowed to crawl to the keyboard. Same for me, throwing this here perhaps, eh…not contributing to the subject at hand. However maybe it’ll help you reconsider next time you share your wondrous insights w/ a world more intelligent than you. Cheers!
wrote, on December 16th, 2008
im getting error :- Invalid update control CTF file
my AVG version is 8.0.176
im using windows-xp sp2
pls help me out,
wrote, on December 21st, 2008
Yup It’s works too for me.
I’m using AVG 8 OS Vista Ultimate 64-bit on my laptop.
Thanx!
wrote, on December 21st, 2008
Cheers mate. Worked perfectly. Thanks.
wrote, on January 1st, 2009
After following your easy instructions, the AVG update finally worked. Thanks to you!
wrote, on January 6th, 2009
im using Windows XP and for some reason my two CTF files for avg 8.0 are not there, and i have tried showing all my hidden files and folders but there still not there and i really need to update my avg 8.0.I need help to fix this problem
wrote, on January 6th, 2009
I second to Mogan. I initially got confused with Jon’s comments. My guess is that, at first, he did not really manually remove the ctf files (even if he said he did) and he just used the “lil program” to auto remove the files. Later when he finally tried the manual removal, then he thought he “found the fix”. LOL
wrote, on January 8th, 2009
No I have Vista and run XP on my laptop and this happened to me on both versions of windows
wrote, on January 8th, 2009
@Jon 23 November, 2008 I want to say an extra thank you to for the following “In Windows Vista, go to:
C:\ProgramData\avg8\update\download
and delete these 2 same files.”
If you hadn’t have given me that information I would have struggled or maybe not done this at all, cheers mate. Some people might find it obvious but you saved me a lot of time and frustration as all I had to do was copy and paste that into search which took me straight to the file, thanks again.
wrote, on January 9th, 2009
I dont have a avg8 folder in application data!!!:( What do i do
wrote, on January 9th, 2009
Can somebody please help me!!!
wrote, on January 9th, 2009
Thank you, this suggestion worked like a charm!
wrote, on January 12th, 2009
thank you, this suggestion really works….!!
wrote, on January 13th, 2009
thanks, this is right and i fix the problem now
wrote, on January 17th, 2009
Thanks, fixed it with your info.
wrote, on January 18th, 2009
I just wanted to say thank you very much to Jon…It worked
wrote, on January 18th, 2009
If you are having trouble seeing the folder ‘Program Data’, you have to change your viewing preferences to show ‘all hidden files and folders’ then you’ll be able to see it.
From there onwards its the same procedure that has been posted.
wrote, on January 19th, 2009
WOW…. it works.. thanx
wrote, on January 19th, 2009
it works, thanks , i got an idea thank alot..
wrote, on January 19th, 2009
Thanks dude………it worked!!!
wrote, on January 19th, 2009
hi! i would like to ask some help with my problem. i already go to setting and locate the 2 files to be deleted but as ive search it didnt show. i have followed the instruction indicate but didnt work. what should i do? i am using windows vista.pls help me…..
wrote, on January 19th, 2009
Thanks,
control CTF invaild update muy problem salve.
wrote, on January 20th, 2009
thank you for the into on removing AVG ctf files. Your site was the most user friendly for advice on this issue. AVG is now updating
wrote, on January 21st, 2009
thanks dear,, it working
wrote, on January 23rd, 2009
Thanks, it worked for me ( Windows XP)
wrote, on January 23rd, 2009
Thanks…this really worked….God bless…
wrote, on January 23rd, 2009
great, it works. thanks
wrote, on January 24th, 2009
Many thanks. Copied and pasted the target in, found the files and deleted them and am now up to date again with avg.
wrote, on January 25th, 2009
I’m using Windows Vista and for some reason the two CTF files for avg 8.0 are not there nor do i see the update folder, and i have tried showing all my hidden files and folders but there still not there.Because i cannot fix this problem my AVG is saying that i am NOT protected! i really need to update my avg 8.0! Can anyone help?! Please and thank you!
wrote, on January 26th, 2009
Hi guys! I’m running Vista and I’m getting this error, but I can’t find those files on my laptop. I even searched for a .ctf file, and nothing came up. What should I do?
wrote, on January 27th, 2009
Thanks a lot, it fix the ctf problems,, it was so irritating yesterday as I could not update AVG - you guys are just GREAT ! Thanks again.
wrote, on January 29th, 2009
Thanks a lot…!!!
wrote, on January 30th, 2009
wow! it works! perhaps avg might want to add this important bit of info to their “help” files?
thank you!!!
wrote, on February 14th, 2009
Thank you very much!
wrote, on February 17th, 2009
Remove the CTF temp files in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avg8\update\download. There were two files in that folder - avginfoavi.ctf and avginfowin.ctf, deleting them solved the problem and I was able to update AVG 8.0 with latest virus definitions.
wrote, on April 4th, 2009
hey i dont see any ctf files it doesnt work there were no ctf files and i still have the problem so i used a ctf file deleter thing called del_avg_ctf but it says no ctf files found what should i do