Classic Shell: Forum

Windows 8.1 x 32. Currently using Classic Shell v. 4.1. When I try to install version 4.2 it will not install as it stops midway through the installation and a small window informs me that, "the specified account already exists" then freezes the screen. I have to reboot to get things running again. Windows 4.1 works fine, I just want to keep up with the Jonses and use the latest issue. I have other computers using Windows 8.1x64, also Windows 7.1x64 and Windows 7x32. Classic Shell version 4.2 is installed on all of them. Any and all assistance will be appreciated.

Hm, interesting. The new version uses the task scheduler to set itself to run on startup. That's the only thing I can think of that uses an "account". See if you can manually create a scheduled task to run on login. You may encounter a similar error but with better error message.

BTW, I'm using the scheduler because on Windows 10 there was a bug where the startup programs were broken. I think this is already fixed, so I may go back to use the regular Run registry key.

Thanks for your input Ivo. The problem here is not having it start with Windows. I have version 4.1 installed already and it uses the task scheduler to run at startup. The problem is that I cannot install the next version 4.2, if you re-read my post I think you'll see my problem.

No, version 4.1.0 uses the Run key in the registry to start. Version 4.2.0 is the only version to use the task scheduler. The registration of the task happens on installation, and is the biggest change to the installation process. That's why it is suspect.

I appreciate your offerings Ivo but we appear to be on very different wavelengths. All of my installations of Classic Shell start menu, going back to the release of Windows 7 have been started from the task scheduler. Granted, they were originally set to start via the Run key in the registry, but I changed it in each installation. Be that as it may, it has absolutely nothing to do with the problem at hand. The problem is version 4.2 will not install. It stops midway through the installation and tells me that "the specified account already exists" and will go no further toward installing the application. It did this more than once when attempting to install it with version 4.1 still installed and it also does the same thing after completely uninstalling version 4.1. It's no big deal, version 4.1 does the job quite admirably and I can certainly live quite comfortably never going to a later version on this particular computer. I have four other computers that I use and shall remain content in having the later editions installed on them. Thank you anyway.

"the specified account already exists"

Well, since 4.2.0 fails and 4.1.0 succeeds to install, there must be some difference in the installation process between the two. The main change is the use of the task scheduler. The installer for version 4.2.0 is the only one that uses this technique. Also since the error message mentions "account", it is another clue to the involvement of the task scheduler because it deals with accounts.

Either way, most likely the next version will not be dealing with the scheduler, so you should be able to install it without problem when it comes out.

Thanks Ivo. I have decided to give this minor glitch no further thought as I implied in my previous post by stating that it is no big deal. In the overall scheme of things, it matters not one iota. Somewhere in the future I may try installing a later version but for now I have bigger fish to fry.