New Version of ExplorerPatcher

The-Hive · Mar 18, 2023

ThrashZone said:
Oay I use Brinks reg files to add power options and context menu show more removal and additions like cmd/ power shell as admin here/ take ownership..

Yes I have all the context menu hacks fro Brink, like you, EP just sets it to the "old" style context menu. They always work fine once I had a conflick with either UWT or Winaero tweaker and EP, that was easy to sort though.
BTW new version of EP released a few mins ago

cbiweb · Mar 18, 2023

valinet said:
Released new version: 22621.1413.54.1

Windows 10 taskbar: Fixed a bug that made the following functionalities have issues or stop working: Task View button, Win-Tab, Alt-Tab after pressing Win-Tab, flyouts alignment, notification center alignment, Win key shortcuts (thanks @CthRio for the heads up). (0ad140c)

Setup: Fixed a bug that prevented File Explorer from starting automatically after servicing the application if the installer run using different credentials than the logged on user (thanks @Abestanis). (1738b45)

Weather: Fixed widget icons when using Microsoft icon pack. (2a1aad2)

Implemented a mechanism to stop repeated crashes. (d7e5b7d)

@valinet - thank you! For the work you do on this. I know it can be a PITA for you, and you do have a life. So please know that I'm dead serious when I sincerely thank you for this gift - because that's exactly what it is. I'm sure many others feel the same.

EDIT: I would gladly pay much more than $5 for this. Just saying.... :wink:

jaseow · Mar 18, 2023

valinet said:
StartAllBack is worth $5 regardless of whether I fix ExplorerPatcher or not. The value is in there nevertheless. To get ExplorerPatcher updated, someone in this Universe has to figure out what to write in the update, so as to fix things, and also have the time to do so. Just saying...

Meant no disrespect to the work you do. I didn't mean to come across as whinging that something that is FREE is not being updated. I understand you have your own schedule and appreciate all the work you do.
I meant it more in a way of needing to find an alternative (because of how particular I am with my UI) if EP did not get updated as I know how busy you are/can be.

Hary · Mar 18, 2023

Released new version: 22621.1413.54.1

A_Warthog · Mar 18, 2023

hdmi said:

Code:

Const k = "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExplorerPatcher\StartDocked_DisableRecommendedSection"
Const t = "REG_DWORD"
With CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
  .RegWrite k, 0, t
  WScript.Sleep 1000
  .RegWrite k, 1, t
End With

It really was that simple, huh? Many thanks for the script. It works perfectly!

I've created a Task Scheduler job to run this script every minute. I've attached a .zip folder containing an XML file that anyone can use to import the job onto their own machines. It assumes that you've copied the code above and pasted it into a file called "Remove Recommended Fix.vbs" located at "C:\Scripts". You can adjust the file name or path to your liking by editing the XML file before importing.

Apparently, you could even set the sleep time to 1 and it will still work fine. With a sleep duration of 1000, there's a one second window where you could see the "Recommended" section while the script is running. I never see it when I set the sleep duration to 1, though. Yes, I hate the "Recommended" section that much...

Then there's the case of initiating or ending a remote desktop session. If scheduling the script to run via Task Scheduler, there's a <=1 minute window where the "Recommended" section would be visible. Ah, well... Can't let perfection be the enemy of good enough.

hdmi · Mar 18, 2023

A_Warthog said:
It really was that simple, huh? Many thanks for the script. It works perfectly!

I've created a Task Scheduler job to run this script every minute. I've attached a .zip folder containing an XML file that anyone can use to import the job onto their own machines. It assumes that you've copied the code above and pasted it into a file called "Remove Recommended Fix.vbs" located at "C:\Scripts". You can adjust the file name or path to your liking by editing the XML file before importing.

Apparently, you could even set the sleep time to 1 and it will still work fine. With a sleep duration of 1000, there's a one second window where you could see the "Recommended" section while the script is running. I never see it when I set the sleep duration to 1, though. Yes, I hate the "Recommended" section that much...

Then there's the case of initiating or ending a remote desktop session. If scheduling the script to run via Task Scheduler, there's a <=1 minute window where the "Recommended" section would be visible. Ah, well... Can't let perfection be the enemy of good enough.

I added the sleep period only after I found out that my script didn't always work, apparently sometimes it may take a few moments for EP to recognize the registry change. For RDP sessions maybe you could add a few triggers to your task in Task Scheduler, based on events?

Tracking and Analyzing Remote Desktop Connection Logs in Windows | Windows OS Hub

In this article, we’ll describe how to get and audit the RDP connection logs in Windows. The RDP connection logs allow RDS terminal server administrators to get information about which…

woshub.com

valinet · Mar 18, 2023

The app modifies the Start layout only once, when the value registry value containing this setting changes. This is done to optimize CPU usage, with the belief the layout has to be changed only once and then it would be left in place. Apparently, newer versions of the Start menu change it back to show the Recommended section. I guess we could have a pre-release update where I turn this optimization off and see if it makes any difference.

A_Warthog · Mar 19, 2023

hdmi said:
I added the sleep period only after I found out that my script didn't always work, apparently sometimes it may take a few moments for EP to recognize the registry change. For RDP sessions maybe you could add a few triggers to your task in Task Scheduler, based on events?

Tracking and Analyzing Remote Desktop Connection Logs in Windows | Windows OS Hub

In this article, we’ll describe how to get and audit the RDP connection logs in Windows. The RDP connection logs allow RDS terminal server administrators to get information about which…

woshub.com

Ah yes, that's right. Here's an updated version of the Task Scheduler job. I've also included a copy of the VB script as well. Might not be needed now that it has been fixed in the latest version of ExplorerPatcher, but maybe it'll prove useful to someone.

valinet said:
The app modifies the Start layout only once, when the value registry value containing this setting changes. This is done to optimize CPU usage, with the belief the layout has to be changed only once and then it would be left in place. Apparently, newer versions of the Start menu change it back to show the Recommended section. I guess we could have a pre-release update where I turn this optimization off and see if it makes any difference.

Coming in clutch with the fixes... Can confirm that it works great now, even with the Task Scheduler job disabled. Good stuff!

hdmi · Mar 19, 2023

ExplorerPatcher 22621.1344.54.3 is out.

OrthodoxWin32 · Mar 19, 2023

@valinet implemented an interesting mechanism in the latest version :

All: Implemented a mechanism to stop repeated crashes · valinet/ExplorerPatcher@d7e5b7d

When Windows is updated, it may fundamentally change the layout and functionality of `explorer`'s internal data structure. Since ExplorerPatcher intensively patches those in order to deliver it...

github.com

Hary · Mar 19, 2023

I give up trying to personalize the program bar because I'm tired of "fighting" with Microsoft and new updates that cause me more and more problems every next time.
I want to thank the developer @valinet who is doing a great job for the community, a man whose program ( ExplorerPatcher ) I have been using for several years and I must point out that I have a lot of respect for him because he is fighting the "battle" like David vs Goliath.

spapakons · Mar 19, 2023

I have done all Windows updates, installed latest Explorer Patcher, Mica for Everyone, Open Shell, never had any issue. If you have third party applications like these or similar, make sure you update to the latest versions. Even if you already have the latest version, try manually downloading it and reinstalling to fix any corrupted files or Registry keys.

DavidW · Mar 20, 2023

Thank you Valinet. ExplorerPatcher is now running on the latest (25300) Insider Build

astorath · Mar 27, 2023

I thank the author for creating this program. I am not very fond of the new Windows 11 Start Menu, and I would like to use the latest version of Windows, but with the old Start Menu. This program allows just that. I would like to ask in passing about the possibility of translation. Of course, I know English, and it is not a problem for me. However, it raises my eyebrows when I see some commands in Polish and some in English. Is there any way I can help with the translation? Yes, I know you provide the source code, but I don't even know where to start. I would appreciate some guidance.

Megahertz · Mar 28, 2023

I wold also like to thank @valinet. Great application.
MS always release a new version that works almost the same but looks different and the user has to learn everything again and again.
It should be the opposite. It should work better and looks the same.

spapakons · Mar 28, 2023

Yes, why not keep the good old right-click taskbar menu or the full right-click context menu? Simplifying everything is not always desirable. Experienced users search hidden things while beginners will learn everything anyway. Over simplifying things won't stop beginners from asking, so why sacrifice functionality and convenience?

DavidWilcox · Mar 28, 2023

Version 22621.1413.54.5 is still working with Insider build 25324 which is wonderful. The only thing that seems to be wrong, or I have a setting incorrect, is that the tray doesn't have all the icons I have selected in Windows Settings. Minor issue as the thing I really want is text on buttons and multi line task bar.

starbuck · Mar 31, 2023

Seems after a windows update today I've lost all my UWP apps that were pinned to my Win10 startmenu?

Gravarty said:
Nice to see that Valinet is still working on EP! Unfortunately the UWP bug has still not been fixed.

is that what this is about @Gravarty ? is there any kind of manual workaround for this? I managed to manually fix it last time by adding shortcuts to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs and then manually drag and dropping them in, but now they come in with blank icons.

Anyone else have some workarounds for getting things like the Calculator pinned when using Win10 style start menu?