Classic Shell: Forum

I just upgraded to Windows 10 from 8.1 on a HP desktop system (i7 processor, 20GB ram; a really good system). The Classic Shell update to latest version failed once in Win10. I uninstalled Classic Shell thinking that I would (a) see what the native Win10 Start menu was like, and (b) maybe reinstall Classic Shell (I've not done so yet).

Now, I'm having problems with the Start menu - I click on the icon and it's simply non-responsive at times. I decided to try the Classic Shell Utility to remove all traces of the previous Classic Shell. This is where I ran into a serious problem...

Upon attempting to download the utility, Norton Security Suite flagged the file as malware, the threat name being "WS.Reputation.1" and automatically removed the file to prevent it being run (it doesn't allow me to retain the file on my system). It characterized the file as, "Threat type: Insight Network Threat. There are many indications that this file is untrustworthy and therefore not safe." More details below. Perhaps this is a false positive, but at present I'm reluctant to take a chance until I know more, including why this file was flagged.

Can someone please look into the issues above: (1) the utility being flagged as malware and (2) how do I safely remove all traces of Classic Shell to eliminate it as a possible cause of the problem I'm having with the Start menu's non-responsiveness at times? Thank you.

MORE DETAILS PER SYMANTEC:
Updated: February 15, 2012 3:15:47 PM Type: Other Risk Impact: High Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Behavior

WS.Reputation.1 is a detection for files that have a low reputation score based on analyzing data from Symantec’s community of users and therefore are likely to be security risks. Detections of this type are based on Symantec’s reputation-based security technology. Because this detection is based on a reputation score, it does not represent a specific class of threat like adware or spyware, but instead applies to all threat categories.

The reputation-based system uses "the wisdom of crowds" (Symantec’s tens of millions of end users) connected to cloud-based intelligence to compute a reputation score for an application, and in the process identify malicious software in an entirely new way beyond traditional signatures and behavior-based detection techniques.

Updated: February 15, 2012 3:15:47 PM Type: Other Risk Impact: High Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Symantec’s reputation technology system tracks the attributes of software files (applications, drivers and DLLs) from multiple sources, including:

• Anonymous data contributed by tens of millions of Norton Community Watch members
• Anonymous data contributed by enterprise customers in a data collection program tailored to large enterprises
• Data provided by software publishers
• Symantec’s Global Intelligence Network

The reputation-based system uses "the wisdom of crowds" (Symantec’s tens of millions of end users) connected to cloud-based intelligence to compute a reputation score for an application, and in the process identify malicious software in an entirely new way beyond traditional signatures and behavior-based detection techniques.

The system considers many aspects of a file, including file age, file download source, digital signature, and file prevalence. These attributes are combined using a proprietary algorithm to determine a file’s safety reputation. The system maintains a rating for all files rather than just malicious files. Each software file is given a GOOD, BAD or SUSPICIOUS rating.

Symantec’s reputation-based security engine continuously monitors all files and over time a file’s reputation may change.

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

1) WS.Reputation.1 is BS. It means the utility is not commonly downloaded. I'm sure there is a way you can run it. Just look for buttons like "More options", "More info", etc.

2) If you successfully uninstalled Classic Shell, then it is unlikely to cause problems with Windows 10. The Win 10 menu is just unresponsive at times.

Read this: http://www.classicshell.net/faq/#install_av

Norton AntiVirus's reputation-based system often falsely detects legitimate software as malware just because it hasn't developed a reputation due to low popularity. The Classic Shell Utility is for troubleshooting purposes. As such it's not highly downloaded so Norton is giving a false positive. Ignore it. It's safe to run. I recommend you use another anti-malware instead of Norton.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Norton 360 moves the installer to quarantaine. Open the protection history of Norton, find back the event and restore the item.
You will be again warned that there is an issue, but you can restore the file anyway.
After that you will find the installer back where you downloaded it and now you can install without problems.

regards.
Pippin555