Reporting problems, feature requests, questions and support

[valinet]

Please read this document outlining some general guidelines regarding problem reporting, feature requests, questions and support tickets regarding ExplorerPatcher, especially if it's the first time posting here. You are welcome to discuss the document in this thread.

Thank you

[eco-pimento]

This is a report.Explorer Patcher is blocked from launching the program by Windows Update. If it does not start and it starts, the EXE file will disappear.　Please update Explorer Patcher.

[valinet]

I don't understand. Anyway, if Windows Update blocks random files, maybe that should be updated instead of my application. What's wrong with mine if Windows Update is doing the actual wrongdoing...?

[VideoPod]

This is a report.Explorer Patcher is blocked from launching the program by Windows Update. If it does not start and it starts, the EXE file will disappear.　Please update Explorer Patcher.

I'm seeing this on Updates to Windows 11 Pro Version 24H2. Is there anyway you can write a patch? I know it's Microsofts fault but the only guy I could contact directly that would ever respond to this type of thing August De La Reyes, Died of Covid 19 so I'm shit out of luck unless you can manage a patch. I really love your software.

[pyrates999]

Sorry to hear about your friend dying of covid 19 :(

If this is the error message I think it is. Make sure your installed EP is the latest release. Download it and install it if you are not sure from here: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases

Then do the following:

1. Open up the EP properties application and go to Settings and uninstall.
2. From there you can export the settings for it.
3. Then you are to uninstall EP
4. Then you can install the windows 11 24h2 upgrade.
5. Then install the latest release of EP. Do not install an older release of EP.
6. Open up the EP properties application and go to Settings and uninstall.
7. From there you can import the settings for it you had previously exported.

[jportiza]

@valinet [request] Would it be possible to add the feature of automatically hiding the taskbar only on a secondary monitor? I am using an ASUS UX482 and it would be quite useful. Thank you!

[radische]

I have (had) ExplorerPatcher installed on 7 Windows 11 computers. I decided, maybe foolishly, to re-enter Microsofts "Windows Insider" program and installed Win 11 Pro Build 22543 on one of the 7 computers. Prior to doing that, I went into the taskbar properties for ExplorerPatcher and changed the default taskbar back to the Windows 11 taskbar, but leaving ExplorerPatcher on the computer. After the install, as expected, I have the Windows 11 taskbar, but when I right click on the taskbar, while I do get "Taskbar Settings" as a possible left click, I do not see the "Properties" choice to return to the Windows 10 Taskbar. I did not like that. Previously when using a Windows Insider Build, I was able to go into settings and return to the regular (not Insider) Build, but when I checked how to do that in settings I found that the only way to return to the previous build was to download a "Clean" version of Windows 11. So I either have to clean the drive and reinstall 11 and all other files or stay where I am with the Windows 11 taskbar.

Have you been able to do anything with build 22543?

[Poopooracoocoo]

ep doesn't support insider preview builds for two main reasons. they're moving targets, and the symbols aren't released for them. there's really not much you can expect...
and btw i think the maintainer would've appreciated it if you opened a new discussion instead of using this announcement as this discussion is for discussing the document linked above

[radische]

I apologize. I had no intent of placing my question in the wrong category.

As far as re-installing ep, it looks like I will have to abandon Windows Insider, at least at this time. I may try it again, but only after cloning my SSD prior to installation so that I can easily go back to a version of ep that works with Windows 11.

[Seele86]

Hi,
I have a blue bar in the upper middle screen since I installed Explorer Patcher

is it possible to hide it? Or has it a function?

[valinet]

What OS build? What exact version? Insider Preview?

[Seele86]

Win11 Home, Build 22000.527

[Poopooracoocoo]

It sorta looks purple. Do you have MS Teams Personal or Business running in the background? Does anything happen when you hover over it or click on it?

You could also check what apps you've got installed and which apps start when you log into Windows.

It's nearly impossible to guess like this, and this is the wrong place for non-EP related technical support.

[Seele86]

No I do not have MS Teams and nothing happens if I click on it or mouseover.
Yes I know, I thought EP was the problem because it popped up around to the same time I installed EP.
Unfortunately it is hard to search the web with "blue bar middle of screen"...
Thank you guys, hopefully I can solve the problem. If not, I can live with that.

[kriznokoff]

Its teams. Happened to me too.

[sapphired18]

Setting up Windows 11 start menu with windows 10 taskbar with start menu at screen edge does not call start menu to screen edge

[sapphired18]

welp, uninstalling and cleaning all explorerpatcher folder then install the latest preview version fixed it ;)

[Poopooracoocoo]

Please consider giving some trusted people triage permissions or closing them again! I really care for your mental health and I saw what happened before. This repo is getting inundated with frequently asked questions, support requests that don't say much, and feature requests. There are so few contributions and properly written bug reports. I cannot completely understand your frustrations but empathise with you.

[valinet]

I decided to give up in this regard. It is what it is, that’s why I haven’t renewed the forum closure. 1 year passed amd GitHub is interested, same as the parent company, in all kinds of useless stunts (like mandatory 2FA, coming soon), but useful features. Anyway, if anyone offers to moderate, I am fine with that. The problem is, it is unrealistic to expect to do that alone and not also develop the code.

[Poopooracoocoo]

I'm glad you did. Yeah I can only echo what you've said before; not being able to have a separate space for developers with confirmed issues makes GitHub very inefficient and the burden heavy and stressful. Any other solutions just remove the "hub" in GitHub. It's insane that they implemented user statuses before repo controls.

I'd be willing to moderate by converting issues to discussions and closing issues.

[Mefisst]

Hello. Please add the standard sound menu and battery menu to the system tray.

System tray - Sound: Windows 11
System tray - Battery: Windows 11

[Poopooracoocoo]

This is not the place for feature requests. This is not even really meant for any discussion at all. If anything, it would be a meta-discussion.

[Mefisst]

I'm sorry, it's indicated in the title, so I wrote it, I won't do it again

[Poopooracoocoo]

So you only read the title and not the body. I see. You also made another comment instead of replying to mine... The body of the discussion says "You are welcome to discuss the document in this thread."

[krystofklima]

Hello, I have problem with patch. Very slowed down my Edge browsing after installing patch from You. Can You send me some steps to make cofiguration back ?

[Poopooracoocoo]

This is only for discussion of the document above. If you need support, open a new discussion, following the guidelines. At the very least, provide proof, your EP version and Windows build.

[GronbergInfo]

Since today, EP does not seem to work fully.
It shows "people" and not "Weather" in the tray.
context menu in explorer shows win 11 new crappy context menu and not the better, usefull <=Win10 context menu.

[Poopooracoocoo]

This is only for discussion of the document above. If you need support, open a new discussion, following the guidelines. In your new discussion you should at the very least provide your EP version and Windows build.

[Stojakovic83]

In dark mode with explorer patcher, the power menu displaying options such as shut down, suspend, log out, and restart appears as a split between black and white, with black text instead of white, as seen in the photo.

https://i.imgur.com/jSf6T6J.png

[Poopooracoocoo]

This is only for discussion of the document above. If you need support, open a new discussion, following the guidelines. In your new discussion you should at the very least provide your EP version and Windows build.

[amkhkh]

Hi I have my current computer and antivirus for 5 years with rarely reporting any virus detection. But from yesterday I istalled Explorer Patcher it is showing handreds of virus detection, every a few hours. Is that related to ExplorerPatcher? I am just a windows user, not a professional programmer.

[RiscyUpp]

Hmmmm, I check Norton and I don't see any of this..... my version is 22621.1555.55.1.

[daon3xtreme]

After a restart last night with the latest cumulative update KB5028254 the patcher updated i started crashing. When I restart the explorer it seems like it's about to start working normally, but in some 10-20 seconds I get:

[daon3xtreme]

After deleting all .prev files things got almost stable. The only thing left so far is - every second time I try to open File Explorer, Windows Explorer restarts.

[Mefisst]

this problem appeared again. when the Windpows 10 style is enabled, the display of the volume level disappears

[Poopooracoocoo]

This is not the place to report issues. This discussion just tells you how to report them.

[Nano33320]

Bonjour
C'est mon premier post sur Github, j'espère être au bon endroit pour ma demande...
J'utilise explorer patcher pour plusieurs raisons liées au manque/perte fonctionnalité de Windows 11
mais la plus importante pour mon usage concerne "l'épinglage" de fichiers sur le menu d'une application

J'aimerai retrouver cette fonctionnalité qui existait dans Win 10 et plus dans Win 11.
Explorer Patcher permet de la retrouver.
je suppose qu'une ou plusieurs ligne dans la base de registre en sont la cause.
Est-il possible d'avoir ce correctif/modification ?
Merci
---- Google translation ----
Hello
This is my first post on Github, I hope I'm in the right place for my request...
I use explorer patcher for several reasons related to the lack/loss of functionality in Windows 11
but the most important for my use concerns "pinning" files on the menu of an application

I would like to find this functionality that existed in Win 10 and more in Win 11.
Explorer Patcher allows to find it.
I suppose that one or more lines in the registry are the cause.
Is it possible to have this fix/modification?
Thanks

[pyrates999]

You need to create a new discussion for what you want.

[khei]

Re. missing 'A Positional parameter cannot be found that excepts arument -ExclusionPath' in PS

Preemptive (before installing) I wanted to avoid "virus" detection spoiling EP-setup by entering commands (below) into PS (Admin).

Any clues why I'm not able to set these in PS (as admin)?

No success result png here:

This on: W11 24H2 26100.2161 ...I am setting up clean install W24H2, but I just yesterday was able to use these same commands on my older W23H2-setup without any problem)

• Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Program Files\ExplorerPatcher"
• Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "$env:APPDATA\ExplorerPatcher"
• Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Windows\dxgi.dll"
• Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy"
• Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy"

[pyrates999]

you have a \ before -ExclusionPath.

[khei]

Nice spotted! Thank you for your sharp eyed help @pyrates999!

[kwhyles]

Hi, I just received this error while installing the most recent Windows 11 update. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[pyrates999]

MS has pushed out the 24h2 upgrade to windows 11. It says you are to uninstall EP first. After the upgrade is done, then you can install EP. Follow this to change your taskbar if you don't want the windows 11 taskbar:

https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki/Frequently-asked-questions#i-just-installed-explorerpatcher-but-my-taskbar-stays-the-stock-windows-11-taskbar-how-to-change-it-to-the-windows-10-one

[kwhyles]

Thank you for your response.

[pyrates999]

And in case you don't know, download the latest release of EP instead of using the last download you have of it.

[kwhyles]

Thank you, I did redownload it and everything is working correctly after the new update. I forgot how ugly the default windows skin looks when I had to uninstall EP.

Thanks again.

[ciroxion]

The symbols for widgets and Apps like the desktop switcher disappear sporadically. when autohide of the taskbar is activated thy disappear instant when the bar is moving.

[IndySpirit]

Please read this document outlining some general guidelines regarding problem reporting, feature requests, questions and support tickets regarding ExplorerPatcher, especially if it's the first time posting here. You are welcome to discuss the document in this thread.

Thank you

I'm confused - why is the entire document lined out? Does it no longer apply? Is there a different document that should be read instead before reporting a problem?
P.S. Scrolled briefly through all the comments in this thread and did not see even One that is actually discussing the guidelines document. Wtf people ;-)

[IndySpirit]

Ugh! Just read the first line of the document, can't believe I missed that. My bad, no need for a reply.

[Petomai]

In Windows Explorer there used to be a button "Search Options" next to Sort and View. I used this to select size 0 of type folders to find empty directories but this "Search Options" is no longer available in windows 11. Is there a way to add it back? I know there are powershell commands to locate empty directories but I don't like command prompts, and often it leads to data loss for me. ChatGPT recommended your program and it's wonderful, I was able to disable Windows 11 context menu (that thing drove me crazy) Thank you so much for making this wonderful program.

[VideoPod]

The Windows 11 context menu is the pop-up menu that appears when you right-click on a file, folder, or desktop. It provides quick access to actions like copy, paste, delete, rename, or opening properties. Windows 11 introduced a simplified context menu with a modern design, but some options are hidden under a "Show more options" link, which reveals the full legacy menu from Windows 10.
You cannot completely turn off the context menu, as it’s a core part of the Windows interface for interacting with files and folders. However, you can customize it or revert to the full legacy context menu by default, bypassing the simplified version.
To revert to the full legacy context menu:

Registry Edit:
    Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
    Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides\4.
    Right-click the 4 folder, select New > Key, and name it 586118283.
    Inside 586118283, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named EnabledStateOptions and set its value to 0.
    Restart your PC.
    This makes the full legacy context menu appear by default, skipping the simplified one.
Accessing Legacy Menu Without Registry Edit:
    Right-click and select "Show more options" to access the legacy menu on a case-by-case basis.
    Alternatively, press Shift + Right-click to directly open the legacy context menu.

To customize the context menu:

Remove items: Use third-party tools like CCleaner or manually edit the Windows Registry to remove specific entries (e.g., under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell for file-specific items).
Add items: Use tools like Context Menu Editor or modify the registry to add custom commands.

Disabling the context menu entirely isn’t practical, as it would break many basic file operations. If you want to streamline it further or have specific needs (e.g., removing certain apps’ entries), let me know, and I can guide you through more detailed steps!

[hitreca91]

After the latest update of windows 11 taskbar style setting to looks like windows 10 is not working. I have warning message "Windows 10 taskbar is not available in this version of Windows." is that fixable ? I don't like the new win11 taskbar style.

[pyrates999]

Open up EP Properties application, go to taskbar, and set taskbar style to Windows 10 (ExplorerPatcher), not Windows 10. We no longer offer more support on the stock Windows 10 taskbar.

https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki/Frequently-asked-questions#i-just-installed-explorerpatcher-but-my-taskbar-stays-the-stock-windows-11-taskbar-how-to-change-it-to-the-windows-10-one

please see this for more info: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki/ExplorerPatcher's-taskbar-implementation

if you do not see Windows 10 (ExplorerPatcher), you need to uninstall and install the latest version of EP from here: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases

you upgraded to windows 11 24h2 from 23h2 without uninstalling EP first before doing the upgrade

[hitreca91]

Thank you! It worked. Strange because i had to uninstall and install again EP. But before that i had the latest version already. But into the dropdown menu with the taskbar styles i didn't see the Windows 10 (ExplorerPatcher).

[pyrates999]

known issue.

[khei]

I' not a programmer, sooo "Big Thank You for keeping up making Explorer Patcher!"
Info about this issu (ie. need for choosing 'Win10(ExplorerPatcher)' was easy to find.
(PS. Donated today, 2nd time)

[michenz]

Hi there, I run a Win11Pro 24H2 64bit on a Intel CoreUltra9.
I experience issues with Windows text size is permanently back to small 100% text size after restarting the PC, even the setting still is 190% (4k and I am older )
Before I claim it to our IT I wanted to ensure this is nothing "explorer patcher" can be a root cause of.
Please confirm or deny. Thank you.

....
Explorer Patcher: v 22631.5335.68.2
....
Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 24H2
Installed on ‎24.‎06.‎2025
OS build 26100.4946
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.197.0

[gmlew77t]

Hi. Just a suggestion that may or may not have been implemented in the last couple years as I no longer use the software. Can there be a setup dialog box on the install program (ep_setup.exe or whatever it is these days) so that unintentional execution can be stopped, caught or canceled before it borks a windows shell into oblivion? Maybe you already did this but if not it'd be great if you did.
The TLDR; Don't keep old software in its naked executable form.

I ended up with a shiny new clean windows install because I fat-fingered a file in what i thought was my my canon-only software install folder and had no useable recourse because i finally let last years W1124h2 get installed that day and then to fix the ep bork I did a rollback from the day before. That combo was incompatible with a recoverable or functioning system for me. Needless to say whatever ep from Dec2022 did in that instant i made it worse. There was no data loss because I'm not a complete idiot, just really stupid at times.

Cheers !

[atanas-pantov]

Hello There!

For the past couple of months I was having problem with the taskbar and decided to check and update it. SO I did. And now this is happening

I have no option to choose win 10

[Amrsatrio]

@atanas-pantov Reinstall EP after performing OS upgrades.

[atanas-pantov]

I did all of that - for the past week it has 2 Win updates last one was last night. So this morning I did a clean install. Same thing

[SandTechStuff]

Check if C:\Program Files\ExplorerPatcher\ep_taskbar.5.dll exists. If it does not, make sure defender is not messing with EP and reinstall again.

[pyrates999]

Uninstall EP and then reinstall the latest EP from here: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases

[atanas-pantov]

Check if C:\Program Files\ExplorerPatcher\ep_taskbar.5.dll exists. If it does not, make sure defender is not messing with EP and reinstall again.

That dll was missing even I was excluded the whole Program files folder + all of the folders listed in the instructions. However what I did was to uninstall EP using the Win Manager smart uninstall. Reset and new install. Now it works perfectly.

[XDiZi]

Hi, End Task not woking for win 10 ep style
Win 23h2, last version of the ExplorerPatcher
trying to close a task ends in this warning [picture] and not correctly closing a task

[bodomalo]

not sure what to do now..sorry. uninstall and forget explorer patcher? windows 11 update also does not work..says error becuase of explorer patcher. this thing..well..sucks..cant spend hours on solving this

[pyrates999]

In EP Properties application, click on Updates. Untick: Build updates locally before installing.

Then see here for how to install/uninstall EP: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki/Installer-How-To

And get the latest release from here: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases

If you are using a third party antivirus, you may need to add the exclusions to it that windows defender needed before. Scroll down on that releases page to find it before you can update/install EP.

[Ustas74]

Hi, Is it possible to add an option to disable the labels under icons in the Windows 11 context menu. To make it look like earlier versions of Windows 11. In my localization it looks terrible

[pyrates999]

see if this windhawk mod can do what you want to do: https://windhawk.net/mods/windows-11-file-explorer-styler

one of the images looks like it has the buttons, but no text underneath them.

[Ustas74]

Thanks for the tip. Does this application work in conjunction with ExplorerPatcher? Are they not in conflict with each other?

[Amrsatrio]

Depends on the mod. The styler mods are fine.

[timon4848]

здравствуйте. установил Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview 25H2, теперь не запускаются открытые папки после перезагрузки компьютера. галочка - восстанавливать прежние окна папок при входе в систему, установлена. можно это как то исправить?

Hello. I installed Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview 25H2, and now open folders won't open after restarting my computer. The "Restore previous folder windows upon sign-in" checkbox is checked. Is there a way to fix this?