You don't have to use the AdAware GUI to update your definitions file.
On this page:
http://www.lavasoft.de/
on the right-hand side, look for "Current definition file." It's a zip file. Download it, unzip it, and it will give you a complete brand-new DEFS.REF file. Just replace the old DEFS.REF file with the new one.

If you're a member of one of those "program update notification services," they'll send you an e-mail every time a new version comes out. I use:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/

Jerry