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Windows 7 will not go gentle into that good night: Ageing OS refuses to shut down (UAC problem?)
The Register ^ | Feb 10, 2020 | Tim Anderson

Posted on 02/10/2020 10:55:39 AM PST by dayglored

Users rage, rage against the dying of the light (and support)

It's not only end of support that Windows 7 diehards have to contend with. Late last week a new problem emerged – systems that refuse to shut down.

Complaints have been widespread on Reddit, Microsoft's official Answers forum and on on SevenForums. Some users also reported other issues, such as not being able to view their documents folder in Explorer.

Fortunately the problem seems to be fixable in most cases. The favourite solution is to tweak the UAC (User Account Control) settings with the Group Policy setting "Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode" or the equivalent registry setting. Then run gpupdate/force, and everything goes back to normal.

Windows 7 refusing to shut down

Windows 7 refusing to shut down

There are other workarounds, such as using shutdown from the command prompt, or logging off and then shutting down.

This does not explain the reason for the problem, which appeared mysteriously on or around 7 February. There may be a clue in two other popular fixes.

The setting that seems to fix new Windows 7 shutdown issues

The setting that seems to fix new Windows 7 shutdown issues

One is to disable a service called Adobe Genuine Monitor Service. This gets installed with Adobe software and presumably attempts to verify that you are not running hacked, cracked or stolen key versions.

Another theory is that it was security software Bitdefender wot dunnit. "I'm afraid it looks like BitDefender is responsible for this WORLDWIDE CRISIS!!!" said one disgruntled user.

We are not convinced since it appears that not only Bitdefender users have suffered on this occasion.

El Reg suggests changing the UAC setting, which is probably a good plan anyway. No, Microsoft has not been resorting to dirty tactics to force users to upgrade to Windows 10 (or migrate to Linux); but it would not be surprising to see increasing numbers of mysterious issues with Windows 7 as it becomes less well supported not only by Microsoft but also by third parties. ®


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: microsoft; windows; windows7; windowspinglist
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To: lgjhn23
.there’s a whole. bunch of WIN7 users out there that swear by it, and they’re not happy that Microsoft wants to kill WIN7.

I'm one of them. I have several expensive programs that won't run on Windows 10.

41 posted on 02/10/2020 12:52:27 PM PST by Inyo-Mono
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To: polymuser

Thanks for the explanation. We don’t have external hard drives and are not connected to a LAN, but only the Spectrum ISP. My desktop is connected to the modem via ethernet cable. My brother is via wifi.


42 posted on 02/10/2020 1:00:04 PM PST by Avalon Memories (Politics is all about quid pro quos. Donate to me! Vote for me! I'll give you "free" stuff)
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To: dayglored

When PC’s first came out you had to unplug it and then plug it back in again to cure problems, That’s what I have been doing lately.


43 posted on 02/10/2020 1:15:30 PM PST by Cold Heart (.)
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To: doorgunner69

I shut off auto updates my first bootup when I bought my win 7 pc about 7 years ago.


44 posted on 02/10/2020 1:17:15 PM PST by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s........you weren't really there)
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To: Avalon Memories

“My desktop is connected to the modem via ethernet cable.“

That IS a LAN (local area network), both Cat5 and WiFi.

Do the lights where the Ethernet cable ends plug in still blink when desktop is “off”?


45 posted on 02/10/2020 1:24:16 PM PST by polymuser (It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and so few by deceit. Noel Coward)
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To: Robe

Classic Shell is discontinued, developer quit in 2017 because W10 update frequency was too much.

Now it’s Open Shell. I’m running v4.3.1 in W10 OK.


46 posted on 02/10/2020 1:31:49 PM PST by polymuser (It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and so few by deceit. Noel Coward)
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To: Robe

“Yes that’s the one, works pretty good. Haven’t had any probs yet”

yep. it DOES work pretty good. i’ve used it for many years on hundreds of systems; in fact, i use it mostly on Windows 7 to restore the XP-style fold-out menus on the Start button ...


47 posted on 02/10/2020 1:51:27 PM PST by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
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To: dayglored

People can always hold down the power button until the lights go out... it’s not good for your computer, but well, it’s a 7...


48 posted on 02/10/2020 1:54:06 PM PST by GOPJ ( http://www.tinyurl.com/cvirusmap https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm)
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To: dayglored

I’m a “Win 7 user till I die” person who hasn’t installed any MSFT patches in forever. This current problem doesn’t affect me.


49 posted on 02/10/2020 2:01:33 PM PST by upchuck (Mayor Pete is not running to win. He's running to mainstream homosexuality. ~ Cowboy Bob)
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To: BBQToadRibs

Big reason why it should continue to be supported.


50 posted on 02/10/2020 2:05:53 PM PST by ducttape45 ("Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34)
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To: Robe

You still have a buggy, unstable, spying OS under that false Win-7 “look”.


51 posted on 02/10/2020 2:06:33 PM PST by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
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To: aquila48

I have windows 7 still running and now have a dual boot to Linux Mint. Both work well.


52 posted on 02/10/2020 2:07:26 PM PST by Keen-Minded
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To: Avalon Memories

“Win 10 can remotely turn on a computer to push updates.”

If you turned off internet connection, then shut down, and then unplugged, would that help?


53 posted on 02/10/2020 2:16:25 PM PST by MayflowerMadam ("Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength" - Corrie ten Boom)
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To: Puppage

LOL

Perfect.


54 posted on 02/10/2020 2:22:41 PM PST by Salamander (Living On The Ledge....)
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To: dayglored

My last windows OS.
When it dies I go to Linux or replace with a Mac.


55 posted on 02/10/2020 2:37:53 PM PST by Kozak (DIVERSITY+PROXIMITY=CONFLICT)
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To: carriage_hill

Some versions of Windows have their own firewall. If not, there are some freeware options out there. To me, the firewall is important for when you want to run backups or something where you do not want your computer talking to the internet. You can, of course, also get around this by just unplugging your internet connection if your pc is not on wifi. Most firewalls also work against ping attacks that can slow down your internet use by blocking unwanted attempts to contact your machine.

As for the VPN, it is an added layer of security that isn’t necessary but allows you to mask your IP address so it is more difficult for others to see who/where you are. Since I live outside U.S./Canada, VPN allows me to fake my location so I can access American programming not available where I live.


56 posted on 02/10/2020 2:44:14 PM PST by OrangeHoof (The Democrats - Unafraid to burn in Hell.)
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To: OrangeHoof

Thanks!


57 posted on 02/10/2020 2:48:17 PM PST by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
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To: MayflowerMadam
If you turned off internet connection, then shut down, and then unplugged, would that help?

Without the internet connection (or wifi signal) Microsoft cannot talk to your machine and you cannot talk to them. However, some programs will try to re-establish connection and download what it wants the moment you reconnect it.

58 posted on 02/10/2020 2:52:10 PM PST by OrangeHoof (The Democrats - Unafraid to burn in Hell.)
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To: dayglored

for later when I need it...


59 posted on 02/10/2020 2:57:49 PM PST by harpu ( "...it's better to be hated for who you are than loved for someone you're not!")
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To: dayglored

lay’er mate!


60 posted on 02/10/2020 3:06:36 PM PST by higgmeister ( In the Shadow of The Big Chicken)
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