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Friday 24 October 2008

AVG "Invalid Update Control CTF File" fix

Error "Invalid Update Control CTF File" when updating AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 - The Winhelponline Blog

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.

UPDATE
To be able to see the CTF files, you need to have Show Hidden Files enabled in Explorer. Open Windows Explorer, click on Tools, Folder Options, View, and check off show hidden files and folders. Now you should be able to see the CTF files.

UPDATE 2
If this doesn't work, uninstall AVG and re-install it.
Here is the link for the latest version.


48 comments:

Rome Mele said...

Hi thor,
I tried looking for *.ctf* files in the avg8 directory. But, there were hardly any ctf files that I could trace. But, am still getting the error when I try to update. The update stops and pops up an error message as it reaches the .ctf file trace.

Lemme know if you can help!
Regards
Rome

Anonymous said...

Thnks Rome!!

HM

Thor said...

Rome
Depending on your operating system, go to the location mentioned in the post and delete ALL the .ctf files you find. They are usually the top files listed alphabetically.

The other day I found 3. I was not getting the CTF msg, but I WAS getting the msg that I could not connect to the server to get the update. I deleted all 3 of the .ctf files, then ran the update manually and it was fixed (this was on my Vista computer).

Thor said...

Also, normally, there are usually only 2 CTF files.

Anonymous said...

Spot on - many thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hey thanks for this! Worked fine error is not gone and program updates again.

Anonymous said...

Thanks - this worked perfectly! I appreciate you posting this.

Anonymous said...

Thanks mate! sorted that out for me!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant. Sorted me out a treat. Many thanks

Anonymous said...

THX! this really works
but what to do if this problem continue occuring (fixed for 3 times)

Thor said...

This CTF file issue is most likely a current bug with AVG 8. I imagine (and hope) that it is an issue that they will fix soon with an update. I haven't had any problems with this for a while now on either my XP or Vista computer.

Anonymous said...

good jobs..
you help me....

my avg uptodate now.

thanks guys

Anonymous said...

I have the same problem with CTF files but cannot find anywhere in my documents the applications or the list of things your mentioning to locate the CTF files, i located the AVG folder in my programes but no ctf files are in the folder. I dont know what to do

Anonymous said...

The "Application Data" folder is hidden so you have to have enabled Hidden Files and Folders in Control Panel. Worked like a charm. Many thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

I am having the same problem but I cannot find any .ctf files whatsoever. Tried the little application to remove them but it comes up saying that there were no .ctf files found. Now what? I'm running Windows XP.

Anonymous said...

Thank you thank you thank you for the info!! It worked!!

Timbo said...

Thor, this has been bugging me for days and I finally decided to see what I could find on the Internet. I am sooooo glad I checked your blog first! Very easy fix, worked like a charm!

You rock, dude!

Thanks again,
Tim

Unknown said...

Thanks, worked like a charm. ;)

Bren said...

Cheers muchly... solved my problem!!

Fermat said...

Me too. Couldn't find any ctf files. Looked for hidden/system files. The update/download folder seems to be empty and the message is still coming. If anyone knows a solution for that...

Fermat said...

Me too. Can't find any ctf file. Searched for hidden/system files. nothing. error message keeps coming...

Anonymous said...

Hello, I have read all the posts but I can't find the Application Data folder even though I have already enabled the Show Hidden Files. I have found the AVG folder but the ctf files are not there for me. Can anyone give me suggestions? Thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

Actually sorry, I have found the Application Data folder and the Download folder. But the Download folder is empty, there are no ctf files. Actually there are no files at all. I am still getting the message that says there is an error with the CTF files. Can I get some help please? Thanks for your time.

Anonymous said...

you rock! worked without fail. THANKS!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, none else mentioned the hidden files.. which was my problem. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, the hidden files setting got me for a bit. safe

Anonymous said...

Excellent help!! After using your suggestion, my AVG updates perfectly.

Anonymous said...

Thamks, all sorted now, needed to know how to get the hidden folder to show and you made it easy!

Anonymous said...

Problem solved, thanks alot

skateuhh said...

I've uninstalled, reinstalled, that folder is empty...no hidden files....still getting "invalid update control ctf file....

Can't find anything in avg forums to help any suggestions?

Neo said...

thank you, saw the all users/ application data on a few sites, one comment brought my attention to hidden files and folders, again thanks it worked :))

Neo said...

oh reminds me using a site tweaktx.com I learned to add the copy to folder and move to folder commands to my context box, simple follow instructions on the site "user innerface" tab .. create new key in the reg and give it a value, all the info is there

Anonymous said...

had same problem with avg 8. I deleted the 2 ctf files in the ALL Users folder and still got the same message.checked my Documents and Settings Folder and found another folder Named ALL USERS.Windows that also had the 2 ctf files deleted those and now avg update works am using XP Home. Hope this helps

Anonymous said...

I had the same problem : after having tried everything, I finally found the answer on AVG site : http://freeforum.avg.com/read.php?13,164852,164852,backpage=,sv=#REPLY. This user explains how to get rid of Trojan that prevent to do correct AVG update.
And now all is fine for me.

Anonymous said...

Hi. This error had me really puzzled for sometime. I thought I was looking in all the right places, but alas, I wasnt. For all the XP numpties like me try this.
Go to MY COMPUTER, click local disk C:,click All Users. If you dont see Application Data files, you need to click TOOLS (top of page)then FOLDER OPTIONS>VIEW,here scroll down till you see hidden files and folders. Click Show hidden files and folders.Then OK. You should now see Application Data folder now in All Users folder. Open Application Data folder Go to AVG file,then click UPDATE folder,click DOWNLOAD folder. The .ctf files are there. DELETE .ctf files (should be 2 of them). Your AVG should update now.
Phew... wasnt that hard afterall!!!

Anonymous said...

for some reason i can't find the avg file in application data

Anonymous said...

Hey, Thanks..
I always have a issue when i first turn on my computer in the morning, it either says cannot update or today the CTF file. Thanks for making my work life easier :)

Anonymous said...

How do you fix it when your using firefox?

Anonymous said...

ignore my last comment i was having a blonde moment hahahahaha
fixed anyway

Anonymous said...

Blogger Fermat said...

Me too. Couldn't find any ctf files. Looked for hidden/system files. The update/download folder seems to be empty and the message is still coming. If anyone knows a solution for that...
December 13, 2008 11:55 AM
--------------------------------
I have the same problem as Fermat.Any useful help??????????

Anonymous said...

Hi guys,
I had no problems finding the folders and the 2 .ctf files. So I deleted them tried to update my AVG but the msg returned. I looked the update folder again and the .ctf files were back there! What am I supposed to do now??
Any suggestions ??
Thanks

Anonymous said...

It worked. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

just go to avg's site..I couldn't find the ctf files either even when showing hidden files and folders.

There is a utility to download. it should work after that.

http://free.avg.com/faq.num-1243#faq_1243

Anonymous said...

Thanks alot
I followed you instructions and things worked fine. I will bookmark your page.
Theresa G.

Anonymous said...

Hi Everyone,
I downloaded AVG Ver 9.0 and i cant update the same, as it give invalid update control CTF file. I followed all your instructions, including un-hiding Application Data folder,however the download folder is empty no files at all. I have done everything to unhide these, and they do show as un hidden folders, however the download folder still does not show CTF file.. What shall one do?

Thor said...

If you have another security program installed, especially one with a firewall, it may be blocking your updating ability. If you want to use AVG, you must un-install the other security program.

Also, if my instructions for fixing download problems does not work, it could be
a) the AVG update site is temporarily down. Wait a day or,
b) un-install all versions of AVG, restart computer, then re-install AVG to see if this works.

Anonymous said...

Hey, i deleted both my ctf files and i also used a script thing i found to delete em too, it tells me theres no ctf files, which there isnt because i deleted them of course but im getting the same problem still, any suggestions?

Anonymous said...

thank u so much :)