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Windows 8 Control Panel Not Opening?

Anonymous
2012-11-05T01:26:28+00:00

Hello, I just bought a brand new desktop computer that has Windows 8 on it. I've been trying to install my AV anti-virus but it says that it cannot install because the Norton free trial that came pre-installed to my desktop was preventing it from installing. I have been trying to open my Control Panel to uninstall the Norton Security stuff from my desktop. The Control Panel icon pops up in the taskbar but when I click on it nothing pops up. It shows the Control Panel window preview on the taskbar when you hover the cursor over it, but it won't open. Please help! Thanks!

Further details:

Computer Model: HP Pavilion p7-1451

Type: Desktop

Monitor: Not touchscreen. It is HD.

Processor: Next Gen AMD Quad-Core A10-5700 Accelerated Processor

Memory/RAM: 10GB DDR3 system memory, 2TB hard drive (1.75TB available)

OS: Windows 8

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-04-11T01:31:22+00:00

    programs won't open up when I click on their icon n the task bar. My computer seems to think they are running, and shows me the preview of them when I hover my mouse over them, but I cannot pull them up when I click on them.

    Sounds like they are being displayed on a second monitor, perhaps unattached.   Press Win-P to see the state of Second Screen.   Easiest way to show all windows on one screen is to use that dialog.   Otherwise you can use the window's Move menu item to bring them back.  If they are not associated with a second screen you could also bring them back with Taskbar's Cascade windows command, right-click an empty spot in the Taskbar to start that procedure.

    FYI

    Robert Aldwinckle

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-05T04:08:09+00:00

    Try the following:

    Press Windows key + R

    Type: appwiz.cpl

    Hit Enter on your keyboard

    Scroll down, select Norton and click Uninstall/change on the command bar

    Follow the on screen instructions to remove it.

    If that does not work, use the following to remove it:

    http://www.symantec.com/security_response/removaltools.jsp

    You might also want to do the following since you noted you are unable to open control panel:

    Press Windows key + X

    Click Command Prompt (Admin)

    At the Command Prompt, type: sfc/scannow

    This will check for any integrity violations

    Restart your system

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2013-09-08T14:51:25+00:00

    What if sfc/scannow doesn't work too?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2013-04-11T00:46:13+00:00

    Did you ever get this resolved? I am having this problem currently. But its not just Control Panel that won't open properly. Spotify, Programs and Features, Action Center, and many other programs won't open up when I click on their icon n the task bar. My computer seems to think they are running, and shows me the preview of them when I hover my mouse over them, but I cannot pull them up when I click on them. Spotify even lets me play different songs and interact with the program by using the shortcuts in the preview screen, but I can't bring it up to full screen (or even windowed mode). What is wrong? The computer seems to think the programs are running, but they are not visible!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2012-11-05T02:54:07+00:00

    Go very carefully, please.

    You need to have your new antivirus at hand before uninstalling the old.

    To get to Control panel, you may type in on the Start screen

    control panel

    and click on the blue Control panel tile at top left.

    Then click Programs

    then Programs and Features

    Locate and uninstall Norton.

    Then Logoff and Restart system fresh

    The Norton tools are known to leave behind traces, so download and SAVE and then RUN

    the Norton product removal tool

    https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?docid=kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us&product=home&pvid=f-home&version=1&lg=en&ct=us

    When that is done, do 1 more Logoff and Restart.

    Then you can run the setup for your new antivirus.

    Hope this helps.   Feedback is appreciated.  If this answers your issue, please return and click on MARK IT link.

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