Avast! 8 makes an impression right away with an interesting new installation routine. As well as the usual Express install which just gives you everything, its also possible to run a Compatible Install which essentially means you can choose precisely what you want: which core components, which real-time shields, even which language. Which could be ideal if you want to install a minimum version of the program to run alongside another antivirus tool.If youre happy with a regular Express install, though, its all over very quickly, the program launches into a Quick system scan immediately, even that was then over in a fraction over a minute and then youre ready to explore further.The programs new interface is clean and simple. Your system status is just a click away, and the real-time shields you get with this free edition - File System, Mail, Web filtering, P2P and Instant Message scanning, Network checks, Scripts and Behavioural Monitoring - can also be checked and reconfigured (if appropriate) in a moment.