I"m kinda having the same problem, except on start up not on update. I just purchased the anniversary edition and have installed it. When I start it up, the Adaware Anniversary "loading" screen pops up and then everything just stops. I believe the "Windows Antivirus Pro" fraud malware tools is stopping adaware from fully loading on my computer. This "Windows Antivirus" has already caused problems with just about every other program on my computer. I have just previously purchased "Spyzooka" and "regzooka" to clean spyware and registry files. It does a good job and loads and scans successfully. (I think those trojan/hijackers havent found a way to corrupt them yet) However, this "Windows Antivirus Pro" has planted a fraud/fake trojan called : win32.antiviruspro2009, wind32.adware.admedia, win32.pcdefender.b , win32.malwaredefender2009, and win32.adware.errorsmart, which I beleive is preventing your Adaware program to load up. Hopefully once I get this anniversary PLus edtion (with anitvirus) loaded up, I can rid these corrupting files from my computer. PLEASE HELP.
Thank you, Quentin

I deleted your email address since this is a public forum and we don't offer help via email or PM in this free user forum. Paid users get email support directly from Lavasoft via the link in my signature.

Chances are the malware is affecting Ad-aware. You can try Lavasoft for help, but they may send you back here for malware removal. If so, follow the instructions in my signature.