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When Avast needs to restart your computer after a program update, it provides an option to remind you "next century":

screenshot of Avast "start next century" option

Based on anecdotal responses to it that I've come across, it definitely doesn't wait an actual century, so just what exactly does the option do, and how long does it wait?

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  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
    – DavidPostill
    May 3, 2017 at 17:59
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    I would venture that it's merely a cheeky way of them saying 'Dont bother me again.' Have you tried asking them directly?
    – Hefewe1zen
    May 4, 2017 at 15:22
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    I wonder if it is just a way to nudge the user that they shouldn't be so careless. Everytime I see it, I feel like it knows I'll keep postponing and I feel guilty about it. Maybe there is some psychology research behind that :) Feb 25, 2019 at 11:40

2 Answers 2

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Just tried pressing "Next Century" and "Ok" then set my clock forward 100 years minus 3 minutes. Waited 3 minutes and guess what:

it actually popped up again!

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  • 16
    Yes, but if you had chosen 10 minutes, and then set your clock ahead by a century, it would have behaved the same way. Unfortunately, it's not conclusive unless it doesn't show up (e.g. if you set the clock ahead into the last year of this century).
    – jpaugh
    May 3, 2017 at 16:21
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    @jpaugh How so? It would have instantly shown up after he set his clock forward, instead of waiting 3 minutes. I assume that is the reason he did 100 years -3 minutes
    – Jordan
    May 3, 2017 at 18:10
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    So set the clock forward 96 years minus three minutes and wait and see what happens. Do the same with 97 years m t m, with 98 years m t m, with 99 years m t m, with 100 years m t m, with 101 years m t m, and with 102 years m t m. If nothing happens within five minutes in the four first cases, the popup is shown after three minutes in the fifth case, and the popup is shown immediately in the last two cases, we do have pretty good evidence. May 3, 2017 at 23:06
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    Do note that next century is not the same as in 100 years. In 100 years will start early May, 2117. Next century will start January 1, 2100.
    – dotancohen
    May 4, 2017 at 5:56
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    @dotancohen: The next century actually starts on January 1, 2101 because whoever formed the calendar didn't know to number from 0. Of course, roughly as many people will care about this on December 31, 2099 as cared about it on December 21, 1999... May 4, 2017 at 10:18
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It just a joke from Avast. I pressed that button and they reminded me again the next day! It seems they saying: nobody will be there to remind you on that virtual date!

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