New Version of ExplorerPatcher

pawelm8 · Oct 18, 2022

spapakons said:
In that case uninstall Explorer Patcher, restart and try to reinstall it.

Did that already. Tried the latest EP version from Github, as well as regular and pre-release versions from winget.

derykmarl · Oct 18, 2022

saltocean said:
I'm obsessed with creating BAT files that can download and install the latest versions of some of the software I use. I also prepared for ExplorerPatcher. These commands automatically downloads and installs the latest pre-prelease version of ExplorerPatcher.

I am aware that ExplorerPatcher already has an auto-update feature. I wanted to share with the hope of helping those who want to download automatically through the command line (/BAT script) of the latest version of a software in Github.

@echo off
cd /d "%~dp0"
ECHO.
ECHO ::: ExplorerPatcher Updater ::: by PureOcean (2022-10-14)
ECHO.
ECHO Detecting last version...
FOR /F "usebackq tokens=*" %%A in (`powershell -c "$ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'; (Invoke-WebRequest 'https://api.github.com/repos/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases' | ConvertFrom-Json)[0].assets | Select-Object -Property browser_download_url | Format-Table -HideTableHeaders"`) DO set ExplorerPatcherURL=%%A

FOR /F "tokens=7 delims=/_" %%A in ("%ExplorerPatcherURL%") Do set ExplorerPatcherVersion=%%A

ECHO.
ECHO Downloading lastest version...
ECHO.
CURL -# -L -R "%ExplorerPatcherURL%" --output "ExplorerPatcher_%ExplorerPatcherVersion%.exe"
ECHO.
ECHO ExplorerPatcher %ExplorerPatcherVersion% installing...
"ExplorerPatcher_%ExplorerPatcherVersion%.exe" /install

ECHO.
ECHO Done.
pause >nul
exit /b

Thanks for this, it's a step towards my wish of being able to install updates automatically for non privileged users (have this run in Task Scheduler at logon of user with highest privileges)

The only remaining snag is the blank white screen that pops up for a bit each time which would really bother the users. It'd be nice to be able to check whether the current version is already installed, and if so, skip the installation.

Edit: A fairly unobtrusive way seems to be to run it on shutdown
Task scheduler - run the batch file as the primary user's account, whether logged in or not, don't store password, run with highest privileges
Trigger "On an event" - Log: System, Source: User32, Event ID: 1074

This happens after the "shutting down" screens appear so the user isn't faced with the white screen issue.

spapakons · Oct 18, 2022

It depends... If it is a close friend, you could do it for him free of charge or use automation as you described. If it is not a friend it would be a better idea to do it yourself once or twice a month and charge a little amount, say $10 or (10€). Why not?

derykmarl · Oct 19, 2022

Not sure who that's directed at but already being paid a salary here - it's just impractical to go around 45 users every other week typing in an administrator password for them (plus no one likes their work being interrupted with "weird messages")

Anixx · Oct 19, 2022

Hello! I have a problem with Firefox 105: the context menu lacks text in the file open dialog.

spapakons · Oct 19, 2022

Anixx said:
Hello! I have a problem with Firefox 105: the context menu lacks text in the file open dialog.

Probably this question should go on another thread, but I would use another browser (such as Edge or Chrome) to download the latest Firefox offline installer. I would then right-click the file and Run as Administrator. This should upgrade Firefox to the latest version and also fix any issues. No data are lost.

Anixx · Oct 19, 2022

I am already on the latest version, Firefox 106. The problem remains.

spapakons · Oct 19, 2022

If it tries to save html files (web sites) instead of opening them, it could be the act of malware messing with file associations. Use another browser, download Superantispyware or Malwarebytes Antimalware and do a full system scan. Remove all findings.

Anixx · Oct 19, 2022

No, I just evoked "save" dialog. The problem is the menu is empty.

spapakons · Oct 19, 2022

You could use an application to backup your Firefox data and then completely remove it, restart and reinstall it. Alternatively you can import all your Firefox data to another browser so you can import them back when you reinstall it. If this is due to corrupted Firefox installation, it should fix. You could even try to reinstall the same version without uninstalling to fix any issues (in-place upgrade/repair).
Also have a look at your extensions. Maybe one extension is faulty and causes problems. Try disabling them one by one and see if the problem fixes.

Anixx · Oct 20, 2022

This is not due to corrupted Firefox installation. This is possibly because EP fails to inject Firefox process.

Fredrik · Oct 20, 2022

Anixx said:
This is not due to corrupted Firefox installation.

So you are saying that it works when you uninstall Explorer Patcher?

Anixx · Oct 20, 2022

Fredrik said:
So you are saying that it works when you uninstall Explorer Patcher?

No. What I say is, this is possibly because EP fails to inject Firefox process. E.g. EP does not act on Firefox as it does on other programs with open/save dialog.

spapakons · Oct 20, 2022

What Explorer Patcher has to do with Firefox? It only affects Windows Explorer and the taskbar. Firefox should not be affected. Do you have any other application affecting the skin, such as Windows Blinds? This would make more sense.

Anixx · Oct 20, 2022

spapakons said:
What Explorer Patcher has to do with Firefox? It only affects Windows Explorer and the taskbar. Firefox should not be affected.

You are wrong.

Fredrik · Oct 20, 2022

Anixx said:
You are wrong.

I guess you have marked "Register as shell extension" within Explorer Patcher? That is the only way to get EP to interact with Open/save dialogs. If that is the case you should remove that setting. It is not recommended to use. Even the developer himself says so.

Anixx · Oct 20, 2022

Fredrik said:
I guess you have marked "Register as shell extension" within Explorer Patcher? That is the only way to get EP to interact with Open/save dialogs. If that is the case you should remove that setting. It is not recommended to use. Even the developer himself says so.

Sorry, I am not going to remove this essential setting, otherwise, context menus in all dialogs will become empty.

Fredrik · Oct 20, 2022

Anixx said:
Sorry, I am not going to remove this essential setting, otherwise, context menus in all dialogs will become empty.

Well then you are on your own since it is documented it is not really working. Good luck!

Anixx · Oct 20, 2022

Fredrik said:
Well then you are on your own since it is documented it is not really working. Good luck!

LOL. Just found I had this option disabled, that's why it did not work. Now works well.

spapakons · Oct 20, 2022

For others having issues with context menus, there is a utility that detects all applications affecting the context menu and let you disable some of them to see if the issue fixes. Unfortunately I don't remember which it is.