PCMatic Blocking Vivaldi from launching after last update
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Suddenly, after an update of my Vivaldi browser, PCMatic is blocking execution and launch. I am sending this request to them as well, but I tried to add it to their Allow list for execution to see it that would work. I haven't had to enter a path in more years than I would like to admit and that failed so I asked them to look into it.
I noticed an item about V crashing on start up and it and the reply was that it's a bug. I don't know if this is the same issue. But the error message is:
c:\users\paul\appdata\roaming\microsoft\internet explorer\quick launch\user pinned\taskbar\vivaldi
Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. you may not have the appropriate permissions
to access the item.I tried to copy and paste the actual display, but all I got was this.
![22636b79-117b-4b59-81d4-75ed2d7ecdfd-image.png](/assets/uploads/files/1619458127703-
22636b79-117b-4b59-81d4-75ed2d7ecdfd-image.png)I also got the message from PCMatic the it had blocked the execution of Vivaldi. I tried by launching it from the file explorer going to users\paul\appdata\local\vivaldi\application and got the same error with a different path. Launching from the windows icon menu results in nothing happening.
I'm running Win 10 on and HP Pavilion 20 that's old, but up to the task as to specs.
Please advise if this is the bug or something else.
Thanks and Regards,
PJ -
@Gimli13 Hello and Welcome to the Vivaldi Community
Unfortunately,
shittybad/paranoid security programs is one of the most common causes for troubles. Usually such software will have special code to detect Chrome and other popular browsers but causes a lot of trouble for unknown ones and software it doesn't recognise.A good security program will allow you to either:
- Temporarily disable the heuristic checking/shields so that you can test if the security program is causing it.
- Whitelist a directory from checking for the same reason.
From your error message it seems that you tried to launch Vivaldi from the pinned shortcut and it failed, most likely because this "security" software blocked it.
For completeness here is the image:
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@Gimli13 PCMatic is a "whitelist" security program. Therefore, it should, simply, accept whatever you tell it to whitelist. Since it won't, it is defective/broken. Of course, it has no free version. You have to PAY them to interfere with your system, in order to install it and have it work at all. Obviously, they should correct this. Vivaldi can't override their interference with your system.
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You are correct, I obviously pay to use their software. It is among the the top rated security software in the industry and it DOES NOT "interfere" with my system. It protects it.
Since it was working just fine before the upgrade, that might have caused the problem. I didn't think it it had done it, but I wanted to cover all my bases. I'm sorry this appears to have insulted you as the tone of your response implies.
They responded shortly after you did with the solution.
Kind Regards,
PJ -
@Gimli13 said in PCMatic Blocking Vivaldi from launching after last update:
They responded shortly after you did with the solution.
And what was the solution? It might help others with the same issue.
Good on you for sorting it out
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@Gimli13 said in PCMatic Blocking Vivaldi from launching after last update:
PCMatic
can't say i have heard of pcmatic.From my experience there are plenty of good free security softwares out there to choose from including the windows built in security stuff.
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@Gimli13 said in PCMatic Blocking Vivaldi from launching after last update:
...it DOES NOT "interfere" with my system. It protects it.
I'm sorry, but this statement is evidence that you do not actually understand how security software works. In order to protect a system, security software has to continually monitor it and inject itself into the decision as to what programs may or may not run. Usually, (or security software could never sell) it will do this accurately and without a significant consumption of RAM and CPU cycles. Obviously, to run at all, it imposes a cost on the system in terms of memory and processing power, but it is assumed/hoped that it costs less than it benefits. But, being a running program and usually at least two running services, it costs. Occasionally (and blacklist programs are the worst at this while whitelist programs are vulnerable to it as well) it blocks something that you need/want to run, without consulting you. Worse, it can inject itself into the very, binary, processes of how a program runs. This bogs a system terribly. Whitelist programs are the least vulnerable to this liability, but not exempt.
There is kind of no way to describe this activity other than interference in your system. It is neither intended nor accounted for by your OS. PCMatic, being whitelist, is one of the least burdensome and potentially most effective security apps you can run. But as no program is perfect, it is not perfect, and you are paying them to inject themselves into the decision as to what may or may not run on your system, and consume CPU cycles and RAM in the process. For this reason, and due to countless instances over the decades of "security" software blocking vital routines and processes on multiple systems I have owned and managed, I have stopped paying companies to stick the fingers of their software into the workings of systems I am in charge of. Rather, I consciously control where on the web my systems try to go. Result: Over 20 years of trouble-free operations, and zero infections.
Now, that's just me. YMMV. But stating that PCMatic is interfering with your system, and that you are paying for that privilege is not me being insulted. It's just me mentioning the facts. I encourage you to keep your systems secure, and to use whatever means suits you to do that. But it is good to be aware that the seeming "cause" of a problem can be an entirely different operation than it seems, and that might not be obvious to you.
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