Using Norton Desktop as Windows Shell

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q82437
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

To use Norton Desktop for Windows version 1.0 (NDW.EXE) as the shell for Microsoft Windows (in other words, having the "shell=ndw.exe" line in the SYSTEM.INI file), the root directory for Norton Desktop must be in the PATH environment variable in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

MORE INFORMATION

If Norton Desktop is not in the PATH, then starting Windows results in an error message and Program Manager is loaded as the shell. After this behavior occurs, the following problems can occur when Program Manager is closed:

  • The computer stops with only the desktop displayed.
  • Windows exits without its final dialog box being displayed.
  • Exiting Program Manager with other applications running can cause the other programs to remain active until they are individually closed.

Norton Desktop for Windows usually installs itself in the PATH whether or not you tell it to modify the AUTOEXEC.BAT. The above problems could result if you decide to remove the directory or decide to make the necessary installation changes later. Putting the Norton Desktop directory back in the PATH corrects all the problems listed above.

The product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

KBCategory: kb3rdparty kbenv
KBSubcategory: win30 win31 winshell
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.1 3.00a 3.0a 3.00 3.0 3.11 ndw

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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