Norton won't start

Norton 360 for Windows
1

Note: Please do not post Personally Identifiable Information like email address, personal phone number, physical home address, product key etc.

Norton won’t start

Clicked desktop shortcut to start Norton 360 to run a virus scan, just regular maintenance. Norton wouldn’t start, no error messages. Tried from .exe and from file manager, same result, no errors. I know this can be a sign of a virus but how do I check for a virus if my virus scanner won’t work?

Product & version number: Norton 360 for Windows. I don’t know the version and can’t open it to check

OS details: Windows 8.1 (I know it’s old, but I haven’t had any problems with it and Norton)

What is the error message you are seeing? No error message, see above

If you have any supporting screenshots, please add them: nothing to show

2

@mapste Are you using an older version of Norton 360, or!! Is this a new install of Norton that won’t run all of a sudden? And are you logged into Windows under an account with admin privileges? Do you have or did you have any other antivirus software installed?

SA

3

Have you restarted the computer? Restart, not shutdown and startup again.

4

I was afraid to do that in case a virus took over, but with your suggestion, I will try it.

5

This is not a new install, but I don’t know the version since I can’t start it. I am the only user, this is not a networked computer so I must have admin privileges, right? Either way, I haven’t had this problem before. No other anti-virus software is installed. Just a new problem.

6

You can view your Norton version from Control Panel under “Programs and Features” list.

SA

7

Hi SA,

Version # is 26.4.10932.2463

8

Ouchy!! That is an older version. Lets see if running the removal tool and a reinstall helps. Do you have an active subscription AND Norton account to download your product from?

Follow this guide if you can reinstall your product: Note - DO a removal only, reboot then reinstall from your Norton account.

SA

9

Hi SA,

Yes I have a subscription and a Norton account. However, I am concerned if I do this I will get a newer version that is not backward-compatible with Windows 8.1. I have a new Windows 11 laptop but it isnt ready for prime time yet.

I found a tab on the home page of Norton called Devices. When I click on that it shows a red flag and a statement that this device is at risk and a button Fix Now. Your thoughts?

10

Oh, no! Now I can’t find the page that Devices tab was on!

11

Are you seeing this after doing the removal? Or?

Edited: Downloading from your Norton account WILL most likely install the latest version of Norton. They are pushing everyone onto the latest. Your OS is supported per the link below:

Compatibility of Norton products with Windows?

SA

12

I haven’t removed and installed because of Windows 8.1.concerns

I found the Menu – it’s under My Account, My Devices. That is where the red flag message shows

BTW someone had suggested a restart. That didn’t fix the problem

13

What are your Windows 8.1 concerns related to Norton?