New Version of ExplorerPatcher

Windows 11 version 24H2 may cause some headaches for those relying on third-party apps for user interface customization. The latest builds ship with the flag that prevents restoring the old taskbar from the Windows 10 era enabled by default. This could be a sign of Microsoft wanting to remove old components from Windows 11 as it moves forward. --- Neowin

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I think the reason they may be doing this is that they plan to completely remove the windows 10 taskbar components in future Windows 11 builds which would of course would cripple a good amount of customization software (until a suitable workaround is created). So blocking them from being able to run will save MS headaches when people complain that their PC doesnt work. It's not very nice but then its MS so its to be expected

The Canary build is a preview of Windows 12 features. Hopefully all these restrictions will not pass to standard release of Windows 11 24H2. For a preview of Windows 11 features see the Developer build. I haven't read in this forum any restrictions in the Developer builds.

Had to do a over the top install of Explorer Patcher 22621.3296.6.3 over 22621.3296.64.1 which gave me a black screen on login into a freshly upgraded Windows 11 24H2 26100.1 build.

Microsoft compatibility assistant hilariously informed me the previous build was incompatible and refused to allow me to uninstall it.

New version brought back the desktop and Open Shell successfully configured itself.

I noticed that it takes almost a minute to open File Explorer first time after installing latest Windows updates and restarting. I am not sure if it is an issue with Explorer Patcher, I will investigate. After the first time that takes too long, new instances of File Explorer open instantly. If I shutdown or restart the computer first time to open File Explorer takes too long, even after waiting enough for all startup applications to finish loading. Anyone has the same issue? I will manually upgrade Explorer Patcher and Open Shell to see if it fixes.

Well hopefully EP will still work in 24H2 * the system tray in Windows 10 taskbar layout I am talking abouy *

They say that the legacy taskbar code will be removed. I don't think so. They will probably leave it and only disable it. There will be possible to enable the code and use the Windows 10 style taskbar. In worst case there will be a substitute for the removed code. But this currently is for Canary version of Windows 11 and as already mentioned it will probably be done in the standard release of Windows 12, not in Windows 11.

spapakons said:

They say that the legacy taskbar code will be removed. I don't think so. They will probably leave it and only disable it. There will be possible to enable the code and use the Windows 10 style taskbar. In worst case there will be a substitute for the removed code. But this currently is for Canary version of Windows 11 and as already mentioned it will probably be done in the standard release of Windows 12, not in Windows 11.

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Fingers crossed, its customizations like EP that make Windows 11 tolerable for me

Me too . I used Classic Shell to make Vista look like XP, then I liked Windows 7 and used it as is. Then I used Open Shell and Customizer God to make Windows 8/10 look like 7. Now I added Explorer Patcher and Mica for Everyone. I had even found a utility to make the application menu bar look like 3D and transparent instead of flat in Windows 10, but it doesn't work for version 1903 or newer. Any similar application is welcome. Not Windows Blinds, I would not like to pay. Thanks to Winaero I have also installed the "Windows lite" theme that gives the good old red X icon to close the applications. I forgot to mention Resource Hacker to replace the icons Customizer God can't (such as the Windows logo in "traditional" System Properties and Windows version)

Been checking out what's happening with EP and 24H2 and from what I can gather the EP dev's are working on reimplimenting the Windows 10 system tray so its certainly not over

Honestly finding that out makes me really happy...

Hopefully it won't be necessary to reimplement the Windows 10 system tray because the general release of Windows 11 24H2 will not disable this feature. Their work however is not completely pointless because whatever restriction is in Canary might be in Windows 12, so they will have already find a workaround.

I actually think they are in removing the components in 24H2 but I could be wrong, we will find out at GE yep