Taskbar not loading all the items it should

allan · Mar 13, 2024

I was fairly certain the issue was with an app like Start11. You might want to try the combination of Explorer Patcher and Open Shell Menu instead. They work flawlessly together, and you may find them an acceptable replacement without the problems caused by Start11 - and they are free.

HDL · Mar 13, 2024

allan said:
I was fairly certain the issue was with an app like Start11. You might want to try the combination of Explorer Patcher and Open Shell Menu instead. They work flawlessly together, and you may find them an acceptable replacement without the problems caused by Start11 - and they are free.

Start11 is denying that it is their program causing the problem. I mentioned when it started and it is in direct correlation with their latest update and Windows most recent update today on the other computer. I am definitely keeping your suggestion in mind. I had never heard of it, nor Open Shell Menu. After Googling both of them, it sounds like what I would want on my computers. Thanks.

allan · Mar 13, 2024

HDL said:
Start11 is denying that it is their program causing the problem. I mentioned when it started and it is in direct correlation with their latest update and Windows most recent update today on the other computer. I am definitely keeping your suggestion in mind. I had never heard of it, nor Open Shell Menu. After Googling both of them, it sounds like what I would want on my computers. Thanks.

I use Open Shell on all of my systems and Explorer Patcher on my W11 systems. Big fan!!!

Rollback_Jockey · Mar 13, 2024

HDL said:
Start11 is denying that it is their program causing the problem. I mentioned when it started and it is in direct correlation with their latest update and Windows most recent update today on the other computer. I am definitely keeping your suggestion in mind. I had never heard of it, nor Open Shell Menu. After Googling both of them, it sounds like what I would want on my computers. Thanks.

OpenShell rocks, lot's of customisation options..

HDL · Mar 14, 2024

I am assuming Explorer Patcher and Open Shell Menu are downloads. So, I found them both at Major Geeks. The choices for Explorer Patcher there are an executable file or a Major Geeks' download. What do you recommend for that? Not sure about downloading an executable file, that's why I'm asking.

The Open Shell I found says (Formerly Classic Start) I believe that is what I'm supposed to use. Am I correct?

HDL · Mar 14, 2024

Well I did manage to download Open Shell, if I got the correct one, as mentioned in my last post. However, I am not able to download Explorer Patcher from Major Geeks. My security blocks and removes it. Any suggestions on where to get a save download for Explorer Patcher?

allan · Mar 14, 2024

An executable file is one that runs when you double-click it. Downloading an executable in this case means you install it simply by double clicking the file after it is downloaded. You can get the latest version of explore patcher here: Releases · valinet/ExplorerPatcher

You want to download ep_setup.exe in the ASSETS area under the first paragraph ( version 22621.3296.64.1 )

If your AV continues to block it, just disable the AV while downloading. The file is absolutely, 100% safe to download and install.

HDL · Mar 14, 2024

Thanks for the link. I have to ask because having to restart Windows Explorer to propagate my taskbar seems minor to some of the things I just read about Explorer Patcher. If I may, please tell me what exactly Explorer Patcher does. I ask because I have a batch file that opens Windows Explorer the way it used to in Windows 7 or 10. If it deals with that Explorer, I may not need it. If it deals with the Taskbar then I guess I would need it but am not looking for more problems than I currently have.

Here is just 1 quote from a few that I read and it does concern me, "Yeah, I used ExplorerPatcher earlier, but then I heard that people often got grey screens of death during Windows updates, so I switched to Retrobar. My reasoning tells me that Retrobar is safer because it doesn't "hook" itself into critical system files like ExplorerPatcher, because it is just a separate portable program, which hides the normal taskbar."

allan · Mar 14, 2024

When someone says "I heard that people....", find something else to read.

I've been using EP since W11 was introduced. Never had any issues. Just trust me and download and install it.