The IE search bar is an install option. It can be de-selected. The slowness means the AV is running a scan. If the scanning is backed off to once a week interval it will not be noticable as much. The processor usage can also be reduced in the Scan Speed setting. Slow = low CPU usage.
Just a one-time ping to all who responded; THANK YOU ! :^)
As js1138 noted in his #29, I just reran the Update and it did it successfully.
Thanks also for the info on why AVG has become so 'bloated', seems to be a common problem with most Windows products, by design I'm sure. And thanks for the pointers to other programs, FReepers truly are a well of knowledge.
FREEP ON !!
It slows my computer on start-up; it’s not running a scan.