bit-tech Shopping: Symantec Norton SystemWorks 11.0 (Full Product)

• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Many utilities and new features, free after rebate

Weaknesses: Resource draining, installation not straightforward

Summary: Like most other norton utilities/protection software, Norton SystemWorks is reliable and does it job in blocking threats and it comes with other system checking utilities. But it also bogs down the computer and I uninstalled it in the end. Installation and uninstallation also are not easy.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: many new features, compatible with Vista, good protection`

Weaknesses: occupying too many spaces, low running speed

Summary: This is a qualified product with a lot of new features at the cost of slowing your system down. So it really depends on whether you wanna protection based on sacrificing the hard drive spaces. The price is a little bit higher among the similar items. Definitely not the best choice.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 60

Strengths: free after rebate

Weaknesses: wonot install!

Summary: I have used Norton for the past 20 years, but no more. I took my CD out of the box, but it did not work.I contacted Symantec live chat and got the technician 'Sreedevi' who said that he could take control of my computer and install the program, however, I need a custom install and need the CD. I was refused, I asked for a manager and was told he was out on 'emergency' so I am out the bucks with no program. I will never, ever buy a Norton product again, there is no customer service not even for faulty software.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 10

Strengths: Name recognition. Long history.

Weaknesses: I think there are better antivirus products available.

Summary: I purchased this product because of its one button checkup. I have used it on many occasions to correct registry issues and by and large it works well. I find its antiviral function lacking and use another antivirus product. Norton received only a "standard" rating for the most recent proactive testing. Check out the following link and evaluate for yourself. http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Rating: 6

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: good software

Weaknesses: hard to install

Summary: I've been using Norton products for over 15 years. When I tried to install Systemworks 2008 Standard from CD, I got the install screen, clicked on install, and...nothing. After going on-line and wading through the Symantec support menus, I finally found out that you had to uninstall any previous version prior to installing this one. No where in the skimpy installation manual that came with the product does it say this. After downloading the uninstall tool, running it, rebooting, and attempting the install again, Systemworks was working. I then tried to install AntiVirus, but about 90% of the way through the installation it aborted and said it had "encountered a problem". A link was provided to Symantec, but when chose my product (Systemworks 2008 Standard) all I got was a blank page. So I ran the uninstall tool again. This time when it was done, I checked the Symantec directory under Program Files and found it was still there and contained several files. I deleted them, ran the uninstall tool again, and rebooted. This time I installed AntiVirus first, then Systemworks, and it all worked fine. I don't see why Symantec couldn't have this product search for and uninstall previous versions, or at least provide the uninstall tool on the CD.