Hello DrDaveCF,

Could you please check host properties's settings tab? There is one check box, "Run as a service". This option should be checked to enable "Cancel host" option in host tray menu.

Please refer to attachment PCA_Host_Settings.JPG.

 Thank you!

I have always run my hosts with the check at "launch with windows" which makes by default a grayed check at "run as a service".  Something has changed as a result of this latest update

What build number are you on?   There was a defect in 12.5.5 1086 with not being able to restart hosts.  If you run live update you should end up at 12.5.5 1206 to resolve this.

Here is the link to the readme to the 1206 update to read more about it.   There is also a direct link to use if you would rather download te 1206 update rather than use live update.

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH198989

Cheers

That is when this problem first occurred is when 1206 was installed.

Interesting.   I was doing some testing for another issue and was able to get this behavior.  It seems that after rebooting with a host set to launch with windows then the option to cancel the running host is grayed out in my xp sp3 system also.   

Sounds like a bad glitch in the new update.  Not being able to close down the host is not good.

I was able to stop the service but the GUI is a lot more convienient.  

Potentially dangerous situation for those of us with a host open much of the time.

How did  you stop the service?  I am guessing you did it with task manager but what is the name of the host process?