# Norton Utilities are killing me. Has anyone else experienced this same problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 26, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958 "2015-08-26T16:11:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/1 "2015-08-26T16:11:17Z")
Somehow (and I don’t know how), once Microsoft began bombarding me with a screen offering me a free version of Windows 10, the Norton Utilities did something similar. But, IMHO, they are much worse. Microsoft opens a window once a day and asks if I’d like to take advantage of this free offer (to get a free copy of Windows V10). I am extremely NOT interested. But at least Microsoft has the courtesy to allow me to close this window and escape without much damage. But, what are the Norton Utilities doing that I find so offensive? Well, first of all, I find their behavior much, much worse than just “offensive”. Everytime I reboot my PC, they open a window asking if I’d like to try the latest version of the latest version of Norton Utilities. It is impossible to close this window. I’ve tried everything including Escape, Alt-F4, Alt-Space followed by “C” and many other key combos. The only way I can escape this window is if I cllick on “Remind Me Later” which ensures that I will be shown this window again the next time I reboot. I suppose one of the reasons I find this behavior so hateful is that I feel as if I am forced to agree to let them show me this window again and again without any end. I find this to be absolutely maddening because … every other major Software vendor gives me the ability to escape their stupid “nag” windows. But not Norton. Not unless someone knows some way to close that window that I don’t know. I am feeling embarrassed and somewhat humiliated to have to admit that I’m unable to close their window. I’m guessing I may have to do something in the Registry to stop it. Can anyone help me? Has anyone experienced this same problem and found a way to shut off this “nag” Window for good? I consider this behavior to be among the very worst kind of behavior any Software Vendor has ever done to me. I absolutely \*\*HATE \*\*Norton Utilities and would \*\*NEVER EVER NEVER \*\*send them any money. Dirty rotten creeps. Please join me in my protest against them. I hate them for having done this to me. Does anyone know of a way to close this window and prevent it from nagging me again? I must admit that I could be mistaken and there could be some way to shut down this window and that I’m just not smart enough or experienced enough to figure out how to do it. But I’m just furious that I have allowed it to get to me in this way. I have never experienced this kind of behavior before. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/2 "2015-08-26T17:16:20Z")
It’s not clear from what you’ve posted. Do you have Norton Utilities installed? Because if so, your first step is to uninstall it, entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/3 "2015-08-26T17:53:39Z")
Uninstall Norton. Get AVG or something else that isn’t itself a virus. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/4 "2015-08-26T18:01:54Z")
What **Rat** said. Norton is malware, so purge it from your machine. I use Avast; it’s generally inoffensive, unobtrusive, and effective. (It does nag me to re-register once a year, but that’s all I’ve seen from it.) ---
**Author:** ![AHarris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@AHarris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHarris)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/5 "2015-08-26T18:04:54Z")
If you aren’t interested in getting Windows 10, you can completely disable the prompt in a few ways detailed here: > **[Disable & Remove Get Windows 10 Upgrade Reservation Notification &...](https://techjourney.net/disable-remove-get-windows-10-upgrade-reservation-notification-system-tray-icon/)** > > If you’re running Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, you may get a surprise notification alert which \[…\] Either disabling the notification from the system tray or using the registry method may be better for your purposes as it protects you from accidentally re-installing the relevant update. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/6 "2015-08-26T18:09:46Z")
Norton is notoriously hard to uninstall 100%, they used to have complete installation instructions on their web site, which involved multiple steps, deleting files and registry keys IIRC. But perhaps a simple thing to go into msconfig (type in the run bar of the start menu), and see if any norton or symantic stuff is in the startup tap and uncheck it, reboot and hope for the best. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/7 "2015-08-26T20:20:10Z")
I do not have Norton. I have never installed it on either of my two current PCs. I don’t understand how or why they have targeted me in this way. I have two PCs and I just recently connected one of them to the Internet. It was at that time this behavior first began. I did at one time have Norton installed. But that was back around 1980 on a DOS machine - before Windows. As soon as I connected my PC to the Internet, that is when this behavior began. It was also at this same time that Microsoft began nagging me to install Windows 10 for free. I have learned in the past that when I agree to install a new version of the Windows OS (or any OS), it comes with many serious problems. So I don’t want to do it. I fully expect that Microsoft will nag me about ten times and then stop. That is what they usually do. They do not behave in an outrageous manner. They usually behave in a courteous manner. In any event, I’m not ver concerned about MS because it only happens at most once per day. In the past, MS has always stopped nagging me after a fixed number of attempts. I fully expect them to do the same sort of thing here. Besides, it is very quick and easy to close the MS window. It’s not a big problem. But I feel the Norton window is indeed a big problem. But Norton is a terrible issue because it happens every day and often more than once per day. It happens every time I reboot my machine. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/8 "2015-08-26T20:23:03Z")
> [@AHarris](#): > > If you aren’t interested in getting Windows 10, you can completely disable the prompt in a few ways detailed here: > > [Disable & Remove Get Windows 10 Upgrade Reservation Notification & System Tray Icon - Tech Journey](https://techjourney.net/disable-remove-get-windows-10-upgrade-reservation-notification-system-tray-icon/) > > Either disabling the notification from the system tray or using the registry method may be better for your purposes as it protects you from accidentally re-installing the relevant update. Thank you very very much for that info. You have confirmed my expectation that Microsoft will explain a way to stop this nagging. Again, I thank you very much. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/9 "2015-08-26T20:24:15Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Norton is notoriously hard to uninstall 100%, they used to have complete installation instructions on their web site, which involved multiple steps, deleting files and registry keys IIRC. > > But perhaps a simple thing to go into msconfig (type in the run bar of the start menu), and see if any norton or symantic stuff is in the startup tap and uncheck it, reboot and hope for the best. Thank you very much. That is well worth trying and I will try that later this evening. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/10 "2015-08-26T20:33:12Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > What **Rat** said. Norton is malware, so purge it from your machine. I use Avast; it’s generally inoffensive, unobtrusive, and effective. (It does nag me to re-register once a year, but that’s all I’ve seen from it.) Thank you ever so much for confirming my opinion of Norton. It is a huge steaming pile of Kee-Rap and I really do hate it. Their horrible behavior with this window that will not close confirms to me they really do not know anything about good manners. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/11 "2015-08-26T21:14:02Z")
Also, go in to your installed programs list off of the control panel, and see if anything with Norton is listed there. If so, uninstall it. My guess is that you probably missed a check box when installing some other product that was paid to include a free trial of Norton’s product. The uninstall process may not get it all, but probably enough to kill the nag screen. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/12 "2015-08-26T22:18:42Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I do not have Norton. I have never installed it on either of my two current PCs. > > I don’t understand how or why they have targeted me in this way. > > I have two PCs and I just recently connected one of them to the Internet. It was at that time this behavior first began. > > I did at one time have Norton installed. But that was back around 1980 on a DOS machine - before Windows. > > As soon as I connected my PC to the Internet, that is when this behavior began. It was also at this same time that Microsoft began nagging me to install Windows 10 for free. > > I have learned in the past that when I agree to install a new version of the Windows OS (or any OS), it comes with many serious problems. So I don’t want to do it. I fully expect that Microsoft will nag me about ten times and then stop. That is what they usually do. They do not behave in an outrageous manner. They usually behave in a courteous manner. > > In any event, I’m not ver concerned about MS because it only happens at most once per day. In the past, MS has always stopped nagging me after a fixed number of attempts. I fully expect them to do the same sort of thing here. Besides, it is very quick and easy to close the MS window. It’s not a big problem. > > But I feel the Norton window is indeed a big problem. > > But Norton is a terrible issue because it happens every day and often more than once per day. It happens every time I reboot my machine. I should say this is not Norton, malware as it may be according to the poster above, but plain old simple malware masquerading as Norton. Run a malware killer. Not Norton, obviously. I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with that crap any more. \* [edit \* Malware, viruses, spyware, protection software etc. etc…] ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/13 "2015-08-26T22:25:38Z")
Norton Utilities? Really??? Is that poser with his sleeves rolled up still on the package? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/14 "2015-08-27T00:51:30Z")
Behavior like this is why I have never been a huge fan of norton. AVG has engaged in a bit of it as well with the “you are not fully protected” popups on the free version, scaring the crap out of non computer saavy folks… yes it is AVG not some other popup. if you have a norton product leaving pieces behind you can use this to kill it for good. > **[Norton Remove and Reinstall Tool](https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/norton_removal_tool.html)** > > Norton Removal Tool can be used to remove a failed Norton installation or a damaged product completely. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/15 "2015-08-27T10:55:28Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > Behavior like this is why I have never been a huge fan of norton. AVG has engaged in a bit of it as well with the “you are not fully protected” popups on the free version, scaring the crap out of non computer saavy folks… yes it is AVG not some other popup. > > if you have a norton product leaving pieces behind you can use this to kill it for good. > > [Download Norton Remove and Reinstall Tool - MajorGeeks](http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/norton_removal_tool.html) Thank you ever so much! I checked all my installed programs in the Control Panel, looking for anything identified with “Norton” but I found nothing. I will certainly try the software you have suggested and I thank you again. It will be so wonderful to rid myself of this behavior and I’m glad I took the time to try and spread the word about Norton and how the owners of this package engage in this kind of behavior. It seems very clear to me that other people have found this behavior so awful, they were actually willing to take the time to write something called a “Norton Killer” or “Norton Removal Tool”. I suppose there must be an awful lot of folks who have more money than it’s worth taking the time to try and figure out what’s going on. I’m guessing that they have three choices: 1. Live with the current nasty behavior. 2. Pay a professional consultant to explain to them it is not necessary to send these rats any money and buy their product. 3. Pay these rats their ransom and buy their product. All these choices seem most repulsive to me. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/16 "2015-08-27T11:40:47Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > It seems very clear to me that other people have found this behavior so awful, they were actually willing to take the time to write something called a “Norton Killer” or “Norton Removal Tool”. To be fair, the Norton Removal Tool was [written by Norton/Symantec themselves](https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133024EN_EndUserProfile_en_us), and all antivirus publishers, [including AVG](http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities), have similar removal tools. They are necessary because sometimes an antivirus program malfunctions and cannot be uninstalled with the normal uninstaller. I say this as a vehement hater of Norton products, but fair is fair. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/17 "2015-08-27T12:13:34Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > To be fair, the Norton Removal Tool was [written by Norton/Symantec themselves](https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133024EN_EndUserProfile_en_us), and all antivirus publishers, [including AVG](http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities), have similar removal tools. They are necessary because sometimes an antivirus program malfunctions and cannot be uninstalled with the normal uninstaller. I say this as a vehement hater of Norton products, but fair is fair. I did not realize this and you are certainly correct. “Fair is indeed fair”. So, I am happy to take back what I said and apologize to the makers of Norton for this one point. I was wrong and I admit it. Thanks for pointing that out. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/18 "2015-08-29T00:07:21Z")
I miss the days when Norton wasn’t a bloated piece of suck. AKA the 90’s. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/19 "2015-08-29T19:37:35Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > I miss the days when Norton wasn’t a bloated piece of suck. AKA the 90’s. I was just thinking the same thing. Time was Norton saved my butt from some things. Now I wouldn’t have it if you paid me, as it slows things down to the speed of a snail trying to move through molasses. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958/20 "2015-08-29T23:56:48Z")
**Charlie** did your issue get solved? I’m curious to know how you were getting notices from Norton if you didn’t have any Norton installed (and it sounds you never had any on this system). Norton is pushing notices to current AV users - not Norton Utilities users - who have outdated versions. Those users need to update to the latest version of their product or take a remediation.exe patch to preserve their licensing entitlement BEFORE they migrate to Windows 10, otherwise the software/entitlement does not migrate. A user would need to contact Norton directly to restore the license they paid for. This type of reminder is likely being sent out by a numbers of software vendors, as Microsoft’s software migration with Windows 10 requires that your software meets Windows 10 compatibility standards. PM me if you still have the issue. I can hook you up with priority support at Norton. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norton-utilities-are-killing-me-has-anyone-else-experienced-this-same-problem/728958.md?page=2)