New Version of ExplorerPatcher

The-Hive · Nov 13, 2021

One of my machines started to a black screen and white cursor, restarted through task manager and still the same, I had a newly created restore point (by revo) and that seems to have cured it, all other machines are fine, all are on the released build 22000.318 with latest ExplorerPatcher 36.1

AndreTen · Nov 13, 2021

The-Hive said:
One of my machines started to a black screen and white cursor, restarted through task manager and still the same, I had a newly created restore point (by revo) and that seems to have cured it, all other machines are fine, all are on the released build 22000.318 with latest ExplorerPatcher 36.1

Same as posted a couple of posts above.. Start Task manager with Ctrl + Alt+ Del and select "run new task". Type "Explorer" and hit enter

There is also a discussion on Github.. says reverting to 36.0 solves the problem

There is also test version of dxgi.zip attached there

Explorer not starting after loggon · valinet ExplorerPatcher · Discussion #333

Trying 22000.318.36.1 dxgi.dll I get a black screen after loggon . Only mouse cursor is visible. Need to CTRL ALT DEL and get task manager to launch explorer.exe. Rolling back to 22000.318.36.0 not...

github.com

BluesFanUK · Nov 13, 2021

I just updated one of my settings as the clock disappeared, now it's reverted everything and the Properties section is missing. I've re-downloded the dxgi.dll file, renamed the one in C:Windows and added the new one, but still nothing. Any idea what happened? it won't detect it at all.

Eric Shun · Nov 13, 2021

I'm still on EP v34.1 on Win 11 .318 No problems.
Other PC is on and earlier version of EP and 318. No issues. This one had to download symbols after 318 update. I did have to re-add my quick launch.
No hurry to update unless it's needed. Been watching the discussions on there github
I can always boot to windows 10 and update EP in case of problems. Or restore an image with Drive Snapshot from within windows 10 in an emergency.

BluesFanUK · Nov 13, 2021

Ok, now I really need help. I've completely lost the start bar and I can only see the devices and printers button. This has broken my explorer. How do I fix it?

Eric Shun · Nov 13, 2021

BluesFanUK said:
Ok, now I really need help. I've completely lost the start bar and I can only see the devices and printers button. This has broken my explorer. How do I fix it?

rename the DLL in the locations where you placed it from dxgi.dll to dxgio.dll, reboot.

BluesFanUK · Nov 13, 2021

Eric Shun said:
rename the DLL in the locations where you placed it from dxgi.dll to dxgio.dll, reboot.

Much appreciated, that worked. Is there anyway to entirely reset this process so I can start again? If I download that dxgi.dll file and place it in the Windows folder, it doesn't add the properties option anymore. (this is after killing Explorer and restarting it)

Eric Shun · Nov 13, 2021

BluesFanUK said:
Much appreciated, that worked. Is there anyway to entirely reset this process so I can start again? If I download that dxgi.dll file and place it in the Windows folder, it doesn't add the properties option anymore. (this is after killing Explorer and restarting it)

What version of EP you trying?

BluesFanUK · Nov 13, 2021

Eric Shun said:
What version of EP you trying?

The latest one 22000.318.36.1

I'm on Windows 11 OS Build 22000.318

Eric Shun · Nov 13, 2021

BluesFanUK said:
The latest one 22000.318.36.1

I'm on Windows 11 OS Build 22000.318

Go for an earlier version like 34.1
No issues with that and 318 here

Release 22000.318.34.1 · valinet/ExplorerPatcher

Tested on build 22000.318. New features Added option to enable legacy list view ("SysListView32") in File Explorer (credit @toiletflusher, @Anixx from WinClassic) (.1) Feature enhancements Built...

github.com

BluesFanUK · Nov 13, 2021

Eric Shun said:
Go for an earlier version like 34.1
No issues with that and 318 here

Release 22000.318.34.1 · valinet/ExplorerPatcher

Tested on build 22000.318. New features Added option to enable legacy list view ("SysListView32") in File Explorer (credit @toiletflusher, @Anixx from WinClassic) (.1) Feature enhancements Built...

github.com

Sadly still nothing. Renamed the old one, added in 34.1, restarted the PC, still nada. At this point i'd settle just to be able to ungroup all my windows!

Eric Shun · Nov 13, 2021

BluesFanUK said:
Sadly still nothing. Renamed the old one, added in 34.1, restarted the PC, still nada. At this point i'd settle just to be able to ungroup all my windows!

That blows sry
I would start a thread here

valinet ExplorerPatcher · Discussions

Explore the GitHub Discussions forum for valinet ExplorerPatcher. Discuss code, ask questions & collaborate with the developer community.

github.com

BluesFanUK · Nov 13, 2021

Eric Shun said:
That blows sry
I would start a thread here

valinet ExplorerPatcher · Discussions

Explore the GitHub Discussions forum for valinet ExplorerPatcher. Discuss code, ask questions & collaborate with the developer community.

github.com

Got it, credit to sanigerson, had to run this:
rundll32 C:\Windows\dxgi.dll,ZZGUI

Properties window opened, enabled Windows 10 taskbar and now back to normal. Geez I hate Windows 11 with a passion.

Eric Shun · Nov 13, 2021

BluesFanUK said:
Got it, credit to sanigerson, had to run this:
rundll32 C:\Windows\dxgi.dll,ZZGUI

Properties window opened, enabled Windows 10 taskbar and now back to normal. Geez I hate Windows 11 with a passion.

oh yeah that. Perfect!

hdmi · Nov 14, 2021

BluesFanUK said:
The latest one 22000.318.36.1

I'm on Windows 11 OS Build 22000.318

I'm on Windows 11 build 22000.318 too. For me, ExplorerPatcher 22000.318.36.1 shows the Properties menu item.

The-Hive · Nov 14, 2021

AndreTen said:
Same as posted a couple of posts above.. Start Task manager with Ctrl + Alt+ Del and select "run new task". Type "Explorer" and hit enter

View attachment 13530

There is also a discussion on Github.. says reverting to 36.0 solves the problem

There is also test version of dxgi.zip attached there

Explorer not starting after loggon · valinet ExplorerPatcher · Discussion #333

Trying 22000.318.36.1 dxgi.dll I get a black screen after loggon . Only mouse cursor is visible. Need to CTRL ALT DEL and get task manager to launch explorer.exe. Rolling back to 22000.318.36.0 not...

github.com

Thanks for info, I didn't know that would re-start explorer.exe and I did the way it said on the GitHub way back in the early days, never had any problems before, or indeed with 36.1 on the other machines, the one that played up is now back on 34.1 thanks @AndreTen

Eric Shun · Nov 14, 2021

New version 37.0 with setup just released! Tons of changes and fixes. Update checks

Releases · valinet/ExplorerPatcher

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher

github.com

EDIT: Looks like it was pulled. Not there now

ANOTHER EDIT: It is back!

Here is a peek at change log:

New features

The configuration interface is now accessed by right clicking on the taskbar and choosing "Properties" (previously, it was available in the Win+X menu). This behavior works when either the Windows 10 or Windows 11 taskbar is enabled. As well, you can launch the "Properties" window directly by pressing Win+R and typing rundll32 C:\Windows\dxgi.dll,ZZGUI, followed by Enter.
Implemented a setup program:
- To install, simply run ep_setup.exe. File Explorer will restart and the program will be enabled right away.
- To uninstall, there are 2 options:
  - Run ep_setup.exe again.
  - Via "Programs and Features" in Control Panel, or "Apps and features" in the Settings app.
- Learn more about the setup program here
Implemented automatic updates; there are 3 settings to choose from when File Explorer starts:
- Notify about available updates (default) - the program will check for updates and display a notification if a new build is available; you can go to "Properties" and install the update from there
- Prompt to install available updates - the program will check for updates, download them if any, and prompt you to install them automatically
- Do not check for updates - the program never checks for updates in the background
- Of course, you can manually check for updates at any point using "Properties" - "Updates" - "Check for updates". To install the update you were notified about, go to "Properties" - "Updates" - "Install latest version".
- When installing an update, you will be prompted using UAC to allow elevation - always check that the update originates from matches what you expect; official updates are currently served via GitHub - valinet/ExplorerPatcher: This project aims to bring back a productive working environment on Windows 11.
- Learn more about how to configure updates on your system, including how to set a custom endpoint here
Implemented a proper right click menu for the Windows 11 taskbar - it displays the most common options, similar to previous Windows releases and the Windows 10 taskbar, including frequently accessed items like "Taskbar settings", "Task Manager" and "Show the desktop"
System tray icons are now left intact when switching between the Windows 10 and Windows 11 taskbars, or when switching builds, reinstalling the application etc. Basically, now, once you set a certain layout for the system tray with the Windows 10 taskbar, it will always be remembered, instead of the annoying behavior where Windows was discarding your choices in order to accommodate the Windows 11 taskbar

Feature enhancements

Hardcoded symbols are now based on file hashes, not build numbers
Better organization for the settings in "Properties"

Fixes

Mitigated an issue that prevented the Windows 11 taskbar from displaying properly under certain circumstances
Fixed an issue that would crash the Windows 11 taskbar when it was enabled after positioning the Windows 10 taskbar on either side of the screen (left/right)
Fixed a bug in "Windows 10 Window switcher" that may have lead to explorer.exe crashing when more than 20 windows are opened on the screen (probably the cause for a lot of crashes)
Fixed numerous issues when injecting processes, including as shell extension; reliability improvements
Adjusted the padding of the system tray hidden icons indicator so that it is now properly centered vertically when using the classic theme mitigations
Fixed a memory leak in "Settings Manager"
Removed verbose output from "Settings Manager"
Corrected import from dxgi.dll

Please consult the README for more details.

hdmi · Nov 14, 2021

^ It's back.

Eric Shun · Nov 14, 2021

Ran setup. Got that Smart Screen thing and had to select "Run Anyway"
Asked you sure you want to uninstall EP?
Yes.
Had an error about files in use or something. Should have screen capped it.
EDIT: @hdmi capped it in the post below
So I just ran setup again. And it it installed instantly and explorer restarted quickly.
37.0 is installed and working.
Only setting lost was the quick launch bar. Had to be added again. Happened before on another PC that had to download symbols after 318 was installed few days ago. No biggie

hdmi · Nov 14, 2021

It failed to install on my 1st attempt, probably because I had dxgio.dll still in my C:\Windows. I automatically got the Windows 11 taskbar after I closed this error dialog window that it gave me:

Next, I simply retried the installer (I didn't do anything else) and then it just worked. Finally, I restored my Taskbar Toolbars and I manually deleted the old dxgio.dll file from my C:\Windows folder. My tray icons were shuffled but none of them were missing, and, I had to go into my tray icons settings to hide the Power icon of Windows because I use the Power icon from Battery Mode instead.