Norton Antivirus for Windows 7 - no longer supported but I do receive definitions updates.
I installed some anti-malware software and then some programs stopped working.
May have been the anti-malware but I didn’t want to risk it so I ran a Windows Restore Point fix.
All programs that were not operating are again running perfectly but Norton shows Fix Required. Not unusual if I don’t run scans regularly do did the ‘Fix it Now’ option and all ran correctly.
BUT - at the end of each scan with ‘No problems found’ it still shows ‘Fix not Complete’. I’ve run quick scans and full system scans and ‘No problems found’ and still ‘Fix not Complete’.
Windows Firewall has a different set of messages as well. I’ve not looked at that for ages but when I did it always showed ‘Firewall is now controlled by Norton’ but that is no longer the case.
I am also running Norton VPN.
Any suggestions please ?
PS:
Did a few more clicks and restarts and now Norton is back in control of Windows Firewall
BUT the ‘Fix no Complete’ is still on Norton Main page.
some anti-malware software??
some programs stopped working??
Did you create a restore point before installing some software?
Did you temporarily turn off the Norton Product Tamper Protection before you ran Windows System Restore?
Fix System Restore problems with Norton product installed
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v51118464
Caveat:
I’m not a fan of “restore points”…restore points do not backup personal data and programs…restore points backup the registry and system files…restore points is not a full-fledged backup program. I’ve not touched W7/restore points long time.
I know - I’m an idiot for installing the ‘anti-malware’ software. But I did.
Last year I have no idea what happened but I suspect a virus of some sort got into my computer and nothing worked and it then completely froze up so I had to crash it and restart in Safe Mode.
While trying to figure out what on earth to do I found the Restore Point list. At the time I had nothing to lose so I tried it and it got my computer back to working again, all software as well.
I tried to uninstall the anti-malware (iOMalware) before I did the Restore but it just locked up my computer again. Since the previous Restore worked perfectly I figured this would fix it all again.
Well … almost … Norton is working fine at face value but I don’t know if it’s broken in the background.
And I read somewhere not to do an uninstall/reinstall of Norton Antivirus in Windows 7 because the updated Antivirus is no longer available. So I guess I am now stuck with what I have.
Thank you though for your reply.
PS again:
I searched everywhere for ‘fixes’ for Norton antivirus problems but every link has the same result:
The page you are looking for no longer exists.
The link you provided did the same but the second time I tried it, it has taken to to a explanation of what to do.
I love modern technology but there are times I feel like throwing my computer out the window.
IObit Malware Fighter? https://www.iobit.com/product-manuals/imf-help/
Windows 7 Professional SP1
Hello @FrancisE_Neill
Okay…then maybe you’re alright to reinstall your Norton.
Sorry…I’ve not touched any W7 long time.
If Norton LiveUpdate & QuickScan run and Norton system tray button looks normal.
You’re okay…?
Does Norton feel okay?
Run Norton Autofix to detect and repair common problems
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v15756942
Yeah, Norton Community pages from old Community are Oops!..it’s sad…but, new Community has emojis…so, …
Download and install your Norton device security
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20090708112600EN
Norton Security will continue to provide updates for Windows 7 SP1 or later with SHA2 Support
https://community.norton.com/t/norton-security-will-continue-to-provide-updates-for-windows-7-sp1-or-later-with-sha2-support/231790
Note: if/when Norton page does not load…try page refresh
Hi, Thanks again.
Norton LiveUpdate and Quick Scan all run normally and show ‘no errors found’. It all seems to run correctly except for the ‘Fix Required - Please run Smart Scan’ message that keeps popping up even after I run Smart Scan no matter how many times.
I ran Norton Autofix and it just said ‘you have the latest version of the Software’.
I have been tempted to run a reinstall of Norton but afraid I may lose Norton Antivirus completely on my Windows 7 computer.
I still have the ‘Norton Recovery Tools’ installed but just become too paranoid to use anything that may cause me to lose the Antivirus support.
I’ve been a fan of Norton products since Windows 3.1 I just get frustrated where support disappears regularly, and faster, on older systems such that if there is a problem (like the one I created for myself) which can cause me to lose a program that I need simply because support has been discontinued and I’m an not in a position to constantly update my hardware.
I’ll check a few more links, etc and see what I can find. Norton appears to be working perfectly, except for the error message, so I’ll just go with it for the time being.
From the link referring to Updates for Windows 7 with SHA2 Support there is an entry that references my “Fix not Complete” heading by Gayathri_R - Admin, which seems that you have read my post and above replies ?
Then asking Gayathri_R can I run the normal Norton Recovery programs, such and uninstall and reinstall and/or Norton Recovery Tools, with risking my Norton Antivirus installation but getting it back to where it should be without error messages ?
And: Windows 7 Professional 64 bit SP1 with SHA2 support
Um, was ‘Fix Required’ message why you installed IObit Malware Fighter?
So, Smart Scan runs normally…just keeps reporting ‘Fix Required’.
And no mention what needs fixing?
Um, what’s your Norton 360 version number?
Do you recall last time Smart Scan ran without ‘Fix Required’?
Can you run Norton Diagnostic Report?
FAQ: Smart Scan
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v138072492
Run Smart Scan to help keep you Cyber Safe
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/norton-360/current/solutions/v138049973
How to Run a Smart Scan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OtRscIiSrk
by coincidence - Smart Scan is missing since my last N360 reinstall
Just put it down to extreme paranoia when I haven’t read a post correctly.
I tend to panic when I’m worried about losing my computer data.
And as to installing the IOBit anti-malware - In the last 12 months I’ve had a couple of really ‘odd’ things happen including that total lockup last year - emphasis on paranoia here.
Unfortunately I didn’t really need it as Norton Antivirus covers all that.
If I say anything dumb - refer back to paranoia and panic.
I have Norton Antivirus Plus - installable on 3 computers - I put 360 in the post because I couldn’t find a heading that referred to my exact version and Antivirus.
‘Fix Required’ only after I run the System Restore after programs started locking up after I installed the IOBit malware…
sure you know…backup personal data
Oh!!..geez…something went wonky with IOBit install…
and Norton Diagnostic Report is all okay?
Thanks for all your comments - You made me think a little more logically, thus avoiding more panic situations.
Backup is good, just so much of it. My computer system has been upgraded several times over the last 20 years and I’ve kept all my history moving forward with each upgrade.
Windows 7 was the last a few years ago and it still operates exactly for what I need. I do have another computer with Windows 10 installed but I’m looking as saving for a Windows 11 now as 10 will soon be obsolete anyway.
Diagnostic Report says ‘All Good’ and ‘you have the current version installed’
Yeah…I hear ya’…you’re not ready to retire your old W7 friend
Yeah…I’m still W10…not ready to retire my ol’ W10 friend
and Norton on W7 is v22.24.7.8?
I’d be darn curious why Smart Scan was ‘Fix Required - Please run Smart Scan’…just me
and Google finds nada re: ‘Fix Required - Please run Smart Scan’
Um, date & time okay on old W7 box?
Did you scour file explorer for IOBit remnants?
Windows 7 does everything I need it to do. Took me awhile to move forward from XP but W7 was worth it once SP1 was released.
I upgraded my other computer from Windows 7 to 10 and that was a pain and instead of upgrading, it deleted quite a lot of software, including Microsoft Word, just as if doing a clean install you can understand my reluctance to upgrade this W7 computer which has been operating perfectly for the last couple of years.
Can’t look up the Version number of Norton Antivirus but I’ve kept up updated to the very latest.
So far ‘Fix Required’ in Norton is the only odity I’ve found so far after running System Restore.
I didn’t mention earlier but after I installed IObit malware my Outlook was also frozen.
I’m still working through checking - I’m just avoiding ‘Bull in a China Shop’ approach to ‘fixing’ my computer - if it even needs fixing.
I’ll just work my way through checking what I can. The links you have listed are very helpful.
Thank you again.
Hi FrancisE_Neil:
You should not have any problems performing a clean reinstall of the latest Norton Antivirus Plus v22.24.7.8 (rel. 07-Aug-2024) as long as your Win 7 SP1 OS is patched to end of support on 14-Jan-2020. If your Win 7 SP1 OS is patched to end of support then the KB4474419 update (rel. 10-Sep-2019) that adds SHA-2 code signing support for digital certificates should already be installed.
NOTE: Check you current version number at Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features or click Help in the main window and go to General Information | About as instructed in the support article Find the version number of your Norton product
For a clean reinstall of Norton use the Norton Remove and Reinstall Tool (NRnR) in the advanced “Remove Only” mode as instructed in the support article Uninstall your Norton device security product on Windows.
Also, never run a Windows system restore unless you temporarily disable Norton Product Tamper Protection first or you might damage your Norton installation - see the support article Fix System Restore problems with Norton product installed.
I assume KB4474419 is already installed on your system - if not, you would not be able to run Norton v22.21.3 or higher products on your Win 7 SP1 OS (see employee Gayahtri_R’s April 2021 announcement SHA 2 Code Signing Support for Windows 7 for more information). To confirm that KB4474419 is installed, go to Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates and search for “KB4474419” (without the quotes).
NOTE: When searching, enter the full KB number in the search box (i.e., “KB4474419” and not a partial string like “4474419”). For some reason I can no longer post images in this forum, but my sample image <here> in the CCleaner forum shows what you should see when you search your installed updates for a specific KB number.
If KB4474419 IS NOT installed post back let us know if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit Win 7 SP1 OS and I’ll provide instructions on how to install this missing update. Instructions were posted in my 18-Feb-2024 post in MsN_Bhatti’s How to fix Live Update Failed Error 8504, 102 but that old forum topic has been archived and a few links in that post are now broken so I’ll be happy to re-post those instructions if they are required.
If KB4474419 IS installed, I would strongly advise that you first remove all traces of the iObit antivirus / anti-malware software before trying a clean reinstall of your Norton antivirus.
Please let us know the exact name and version number of the iObit software you installed (e.g., IObit Malware Fighter 11 Free v11.4.0). Even if you have already uninstalled this IObit software it’s possible you have some orphaned file or registry entry on your system that is now interfering with Norton. Like most other antivirus manufacturers, Norton advises that you only run one antivirus or anti-malware program that loads at Windows startup and runs in real-time protection mode - see the Norton support article Problems running multiple security products.
Norton also advises that you wipe the last traces of any other antivirus product off your system using the manufacturer’s dedicated removal tool before installing your Norton antivirus, and they provide information on how to wipe security software from Avast, McAfee, and other antivirus manufacturers off your system in the support article Remove a non-Norton security product from your computer. Unfortunately, IObit isn’t listed in that support article, but if you let us know what iOBIt product you installed we might be able to find the correct IOBit removal tool for you.
Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4780 * Firefox v129.0.2 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24070.5-1.1.24070.3 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.1.9.124-1.0.5014 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783
Hi FrancisE_Neil:
Just an aside, but in future if you want to scan your system for any malware or PUPs (potentially unwanted programs like browser toolbars, adware, etc.) that might have been missed by your Norton antivirus then most users in this forum recommend Malwarerbytes Free v5.x (just note that MB v5.x also requires a Win 7 SP1 or higher with SHA-2 code-signing support). Malwarebytes Free does not run in real-time protection mode (i.e., it does not load at Windows startup) so you can run a manual on-demand scan with Malwarebytes Free without interfering with Norton.
If you install Malwarebytes v5.x I’d advise you disable the 14-day trial version of the Premium real-time protection features (click the icon in the top-right corner of the interface, choose “My Subscription” and click the “Deactivate Trial” button) and just use Malwarebytes Free as a manual on-demand scanner. I would also suggest you change the settings at Scans and Detection | Potentially Unwanted Items for both PUPs and PUMs (potentially unwanted registry modifications) from “Always” to “Warn User” so you’re always notified before any of these lower-risk threats are removed. I like to do this just in case Malwarebytes recommends removal of some “unwanted” utility or toolbar that I would actually prefer to keep.
See my 07-Jun-2024 post # 2678804 in crimsoncricket’s Window Security is behaving strangely… in the AskWoody forum for sample images and a few additional hints.
Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.4780 * Firefox v129.0.2 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24070.5-1.1.24070.3 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.1.9.124-1.0.5014 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783
Thanks so much for all that extra information. I’ll work my way through all the links and information and see if Norton returns to normal. If it doesn’t then I’ll use the Remove and Reinstall tool.
Windows 7 Professional 64bit SP1
KB4474419 is installed
All other Windows updates for this version have been installed
Norton Antivirus # 22.24.7.8
Unfortunately, with software, you often find out what not to do after you have already done it. But now I feel confident with clearing out unnecessary bits and pieces and can uninstall and reinstall Norton Antivirus safely, without losing any functionality or protection.
I don’t often panic, except when my computer operations is threatened, but after the episode last year when Norton discovered some virus and requested a reboot which then locked up my computer completely - nothing worked, or would even respond. Running System Restore saved me with no side effects (as with Norton Antivirus this time). That’s why I didn’t have a problem running System Restore as soon as programs locked and panic occurred.
Thank you and Bjm for all you help. I’ll just work my way through now and should be back to normal in a few days.
In case you get back to reading this.
Norton Antivirus has just fixed itself.
I tried everything I could find for repairing/updating/reinstall and nothing worked. The only other action I did that had a possible effect was uninstall a couple of IOBit programs (I somehow managed to have 4 different ones installed - don’t ask). Also note: after uninstalling these IOBit programs my computer runs up to 50% faster.
I checked My Account at Norton and went to download a copy of the Antivirus but it has been replaced with Norton 360. So I just put it aside because Antivirus kept working (looking normal) and trusted it was ok.
I opened it up yesterday to check updates and software and it’s all clear. Green Ticks everywhere.
I’m very happy.