valinet / explorerpatcher

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows

ExplorerPatcher

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows.

How to?

1. Download the latest version of the setup program.
2. Run the installer. It will automatically prompt for elevation, after which it will install the necessary files.
3. When done, you will be greeted with the familiar Windows 10 taskbar. To customize the options offered by the program, right click the taskbar and choose "Properties".

That's it. It's that simple.

Uninstalling

• Right click the taskbar then click "Properties" or search for "ExplorerPatcher", and go to "Uninstall" section or
• Use "Programs and Features" in Control Panel, or "Apps and features" in the Settings app or
• Run ep_setup.exe /uninstall or
• Rename ep_setup.exe to ep_uninstall.exe and run that.

Updating

• The program features built-in updates: go to "Properties" - "Updates" to configure, check for and install the latest updates. Learn more here.
• Download the latest version's setup file and simply run it.

Donate

If you find this project essential to your daily life, please consider donating to support the development through the Sponsor button at the top of this page, so that we can continue to keep supporting newer Windows builds.

Read more

explorerpatcher's Issues

Two rows of icons in taskbar possible?

Just installed Win 11 and ExplorerPatch thx much prefer Win 7 start. The ability to drag taskbar down seems gone as well as two rows of icons. Is there any way of changing those actions back ??

Which StartIsBack DLL to use?

I tried to copy DLL from startAllBack 2.90 RC to %appdata%\ExplorerPatcher and renaming it so it does not contain "X" before "64" in the filename, but explorer crashes after that, can you please share exact dll for download somewhere?

Thank you

It is really minor thing as I'm happy with how your solution works without the new icons.

Win+X "Properties" language bug

"Properties" is "속성" in Korean, but only displayed "속"

Disable blue highlight in context menus

As you probably know already, newer builds (including 22000.176 and 22449.1000) do not introduce many changes, if any, regarding the system theme, except another work-in-progress feature that it's said to look better but in reality does not necessarily do so: the blue highlight in the context menus:

Personally, I prefer the old gray highlight which also filled better the containing rectangle. This is all dictated by the theme that's currently in use. Not much can be done from inside the applications that we hook, as those usually call things like DrawThemeBackground from uxtheme which supply them with the required data from the theme file/draw some stuff acording to the theme file. Even the custom skinned menus Explorer uses (Win+X, every context menu on the taskbar) still use the blue highlight although there is a bit better represented, as shown above.

Anyway, for people that want to revert to the old gray highlight, I recommend using the theme file from previous Windows 11 builds (22000.51, for example). You could also edit the current theme file, but then of course, as you probably know, the digital signature of the file becomes invalid and Windows will refuse to load the theme file unless a uxtheme patcher is used. But the signature is not invalidated when you use a signed file, but from a previous OS version. I prefer this method since I do not use custom themes, I do not want to patch the theme service etc. I basically want the proper stock theme.

1. To get the required file, download the core Windows Update file for build 22000.51 from Microsoft using a helper like UUP dump: https://uupdump.net/getfile.php?id=bfe6f0bd-fb83-442f-b225-7ad7a61b48f3&file=core_en-us.esd
2. After that, open the file using 7-Zip or any other archive tool, and navigate to 2\Windows\resources\Themes\aero\. In there you will find the required aero.msstyles theme, grab that.
3. On the system that you want to modify, go to C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\aero. In there, take ownership of the file, rename it to something like aero_original.msstyles and paste in the new aero.msstyles file.

Reboot and you should be good to go!

"Open Start to All apps by default" is unreliable

When the start menu is closed and then reopened in quick succession (for example by double clicking the start menu button or by "double clicking" the windows key) the default start menu page (with pinned apps and recommendations) is shown even though the "Open Start to All apps by default" option is activated.

Windows 11 Start menu still opens in the center, could it respect Windows setting?

Although personally I use third party Start menus with the Classic Taskbar, with ExplorerPatcher 22000.168.0.10, the Windows 11 Start menu or its search still opens in the center even if before or after switching to the classic Taskbar, the alignment is set to Left from Settings.

Disable Control Center icon

The control center from Windows 11 appears as a gear icon beside the time on the taskbar, is it possible to disable or hide it?

Side effects of UndockingDisabled

On this page here: http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8580 I am trying to keep a list of side effects of UndockingDisabled. Maybe they can be helpful to you and helpful to me (in case I missed any side effects).

Win+Q combination does not work

So I usually run some AutoHotkey scripts on my PC for custom hotkey shortcuts. One of the scripts uses Win key shortcuts that Windows does not use. This is the AHK:

#Persistent
#SingleInstance, Force
#y::Run, mblctr.exe, C:\Windows\system32
#q::Run, ms-availablenetworks:
#j::Run, control.exe /name Microsoft.WindowsUpdate

However when I run this AHK or its compiled EXE version, Win+X also opens ms-availablenetworks: instead of opening the Win+X menu. Definitely some conflict. Is it because of this? #3

Modern Search Box is always disabled in 22000.194.0.22 and 22000.194.0.20

The option to keep/enable the modern search box is not working in these versions even if the INI has:
[General]
AllowModernSearchBox=1

or even if it is set in the GUI in the newest version.

Going back to 22449.1000.0.18 or disabling ExplorerPatcher does bring it back. I am on Windows 11 22468.1000.

Search window not to align to the left on version 22454

It's seems that search window not to align to the left on new version 22454

How to show time or other quick action icons?

I found many many settings but no this.
How about to show it by default?

Under Windows Classic theme the context menus in File Explorer are missing text

This is a known issue since certain builds of Windows 10. The workaround is to use ExplorerContextMenuTweaker program
( https://github.com/rikka0w0/ExplorerContextMenuTweaker ).

The program is buggy though: does not work the first time the context meny is called and does not affect submenus except the first one.

But since ExplorerPatcher already implements a similar functionality of another program TaskbarContextMenuTweaker by the same author, it would be great and logical if this functionalty was also implemented. The currently-implemented non-immersive context menus by ExplorerPatcher are still empty under Windows Classic theme.

Explorer command window stays open

After installing this and change some of the default behavior, I see this window stay on all the time. If I close it, it just restarts the explorer and then stays back on. There is no way for me to close this.

ExplorerPatcher has effect, similar to UserPreferenceMask, bit 17, regardless of settings

Various bits of User Preference Mask can be set using UPMCalc utility:
https://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Registry-Tweak/UPMCalc.shtml

The bit 17 has the following effects:

In Windows Classic theme:
Set:

• The borders of pull-down (standard) menus are flat.
• The pull-down menus selection in File Explorer is by color (Win-95 style)

Unset:

• The borders of the menus are 3D
• The Explorer drop-down menus are selected with bevel (3D effect, Win-98/2000 style)

In Win11 theme:
Set:

• The selection of drop-down menus in Explorer is rectangular (Win-95 style), while in non-Explorer apps it remains rounded.

Unset:

• The selection of drop-down menus in Explorer is rounded, as in other apps.
• The File Explorer context menus in Win11 have 3D border effect (not fitting well with the theme)

ExplorerPatcher seems to force the effect of bit17 being set, regardless of actual registry value. This disallows the Classic Theme users from having 3D borders in menus.

In Simple Classic Theme program this bit can be unset with 4th button in right column (Make buttons 3D).

Note that changing user preference mask requires re-login to the session to take effect.

Win+X is not working when taskbar is set to auto hide

I installed the dll file to my C:\Windows directory and restarted file explorer + my PC. Now, the win+x hotkey does not register. Windows key by itself works, and I can right click the start button to bring up the window, but the actual shortcut does not work. Any reason why that would break?

I am currently on v23. Originally installed 24, the hotkey didn't work, so I tried to downgrade, and the hotkey still does not work.

Feature requests

PLEASE USE DISCUSSIONS HERE: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/discussions

Please comment here with any feature request, and we will discuss it and see what we can do. Use this so that the issues panel does not get cluttered with things that may never end up being 'solved'.

Thank you.

Where to find StartAllBackX64.dll compatible with the latest ExplorerPatcher?

I am having problems to find the latest version of StartAllBackX64.dll with SHA-256:

EDIT @valinet In keeping in line with my decision regarding the interoperability of this software with StartIsBack/StartAllBack, which is described here, I have removed the information regarding that provided in this post. Thank you for understanding.
In what version of StartAllBack is it included? It doesn't look like it's from 2.9.91 RC.

I think it would be helpful to link to the version compatible with ExplorerPatcher to prevent breaking the OS.

Feature requests

Unable to delete history in the modern search box in File Explorer in build 22463 or 22468

I can not click or delete the search history, it looks normal but not working. (build 22468.1 and 22463.1)

Center taskbar buttons

Guide here

Explorer restart loop

hi, i tried installing this today and it installed the missing icons fine but the when it started to restart explorer to do its checks, it didnt stop. kept going for an hour. my windows version is 22000.176 if thats helpful

Win+X handling is hacky

Current implementation for handling the Win+X combination works fine but it is hacky. There exists a proper implementation but, unfortunately, it does not work, because the returned pMenu pointer differs on each call and is never what it should be. I don't understand why it happens. Open Shell seems to be able to get the pointer just fine running hooked in Explorer as well.

#include <initguid.h>
#include <Windows.h>
#include <windowsx.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <Shlwapi.h>
#pragma comment(lib, "Shlwapi.lib")

DEFINE_GUID(CLSID_ImmersiveShell,
    0xc2f03a33,
    0x21f5, 0x47fa, 0xb4, 0xbb,
    0x15, 0x63, 0x62, 0xa2, 0xf2, 0x39
);

DEFINE_GUID(SID_IImmersiveMonitorService,
    0x47094e3a,
    0x0cf2, 0x430f, 0x80, 0x6f,
    0xcf, 0x9e, 0x4f, 0x0f, 0x12, 0xdd
);

DEFINE_GUID(IID_IImmersiveMonitorService,
    0x4d4c1e64,
    0xe410, 0x4faa, 0xba, 0xfa,
    0x59, 0xca, 0x06, 0x9b, 0xfe, 0xc2
);

DEFINE_GUID(SID_ImmersiveLauncher,
    0x6f86e01c,
    0xc649, 0x4d61, 0xbe, 0x23,
    0xf1, 0x32, 0x2d, 0xde, 0xca, 0x9d
);

DEFINE_GUID(IID_IImmersiveLauncher10RS,
    0xd8d60399,
    0xa0f1, 0xf987, 0x55, 0x51,
    0x32, 0x1f, 0xd1, 0xb4, 0x98, 0x64
);

typedef interface IImmersiveMonitorService IImmersiveMonitorService;

typedef struct IImmersiveMonitorServiceVtbl
{
    BEGIN_INTERFACE

        HRESULT(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* QueryInterface)(
            IImmersiveMonitorService* This,
            /* [in] */ REFIID riid,
            /* [annotation][iid_is][out] */
            _COM_Outptr_  void** ppvObject);

    ULONG(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* AddRef)(
        IImmersiveMonitorService* This);

    ULONG(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* Release)(
        IImmersiveMonitorService* This);

    HRESULT(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* method3)(
        IImmersiveMonitorService* This);

    HRESULT(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* method4)(
        IImmersiveMonitorService* This);

    HRESULT(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* method5)(
        IImmersiveMonitorService* This);

    HRESULT(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* GetFromHandle)(
        IImmersiveMonitorService* This,
        /* [in] */ HMONITOR hMonitor,
        _COM_Outptr_  IUnknown** ppvObject);

    END_INTERFACE
} IImmersiveMonitorServiceVtbl;

interface IImmersiveMonitorService
{
    CONST_VTBL struct IImmersiveMonitorServiceVtbl* lpVtbl;
};

DEFINE_GUID(IID_ILauncherTipContextMenu,
    0xb8c1db5f,
    0xcbb3, 0x48bc, 0xaf, 0xd9,
    0xce, 0x6b, 0x88, 0x0c, 0x79, 0xed
);

typedef interface ILauncherTipContextMenu ILauncherTipContextMenu;

typedef struct ILauncherTipContextMenuVtbl
{
    BEGIN_INTERFACE

        HRESULT(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* QueryInterface)(
            ILauncherTipContextMenu* This,
            /* [in] */ REFIID riid,
            /* [annotation][iid_is][out] */
            _COM_Outptr_  void** ppvObject);

    ULONG(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* AddRef)(
        ILauncherTipContextMenu* This);

    ULONG(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* Release)(
        ILauncherTipContextMenu* This);

    HRESULT(STDMETHODCALLTYPE* ShowLauncherTipContextMenu)(
        ILauncherTipContextMenu* This,
        /* [in] */ POINT* pt);

    END_INTERFACE
} ILauncherTipContextMenuVtbl;

interface ILauncherTipContextMenu
{
    CONST_VTBL struct ILauncherTipContextMenuVtbl* lpVtbl;
};

int some_method()
{
    HRESULT hr = S_OK;
    hr = CoInitialize(NULL);
    IUnknown* pImmersiveShell = NULL;
    hr = CoCreateInstance(
        &CLSID_ImmersiveShell,
        NULL,
        CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER,
        &IID_IServiceProvider,
        &pImmersiveShell
    );
    if (SUCCEEDED(hr))
    {
        printf("b\n");
        IImmersiveMonitorService* pMonitorService = NULL;
        IUnknown_QueryService(
            pImmersiveShell,
            &SID_IImmersiveMonitorService,
            &IID_IImmersiveMonitorService,
            &pMonitorService
        );
        if (pMonitorService)
        {
            printf("c\n");
            DWORD pts = GetMessagePos();
            POINT pt;
            pt.x = GET_X_LPARAM(pts);
            pt.y = GET_Y_LPARAM(pts);
            HMONITOR monitor = MonitorFromPoint(
                pt,
                MONITOR_DEFAULTTONULL
            );
            if (monitor)
            {
                printf("d\n");
                IUnknown* pMonitor = NULL;
                pMonitorService->lpVtbl->GetFromHandle(
                    pMonitorService,
                    monitor,
                    &pMonitor
                );
                if (pMonitor)
                {
                    printf("e\n");
                    ILauncherTipContextMenu* pMenu = NULL;
                    IUnknown_QueryService(
                        pMonitor,
                        &IID_ILauncherTipContextMenu,
                        &IID_ILauncherTipContextMenu,
                        &pMenu
                    );
                    if (pMenu)
                    {
                        printf("f %p\n", pMenu);
                        pMenu->lpVtbl->ShowLauncherTipContextMenu(
                            pMenu,
                            0
                        );
                        pMenu->lpVtbl->Release(pMenu);
                    }
                    pMonitor->lpVtbl->Release(pMonitor);
                }
            }
            pMonitorService->lpVtbl->Release(pMonitorService);
        }
        pImmersiveShell->lpVtbl->Release(pImmersiveShell);
    }
    return 0;
}

Feature requests: updated Windows orb + setting tasbkar background + aligning the taskbar to the centre (wth the orb)

Hello,
First thing - great job for improving the broken Windows 11 by restoring the old good taskbar!
Thank you!

I am also having a few feature requests. Would be great to see the following in ExplorerPatcher:

1. to add an updated Windows orb so it matches Windows 11 logo (and perhaps a feature that allows setting your own orb)
2. to allow the user to set their prefered background of the taskbar (so we don't have to rely on TaskbarX)
   3, to align the taskbar (including the orb) to the centre (so once again we don't have to rely on TaskbarX)

The first feature would make the toolbar feel more like Win11 toolbar.
The last two are more about improving the way the taskbar works. Currently, if Windows Explorer crashes, we have to restart not only explorer.exe, but also TaskbarX. Sadly TaskbarX seems to be very buggy on Win11 and I believe it would be beneficial to not rely on the software.

[Bug] Start menu not opening

(Might be worth as a template)

Windows Version: Windows 11 22000.194
EPatcher Version: 22000.194.0.22
StartIsBack applied: False

Summarized Issue: Start Menu not opening on click
Details: After upgrading to 0.22 for the (awesome) GUI test, all other features seem to work; but even after restarts&waits, the Start Menu doesn't show(work).

Frequently Asked Questions (incl. useful taskbar settings)

Here is a list of common registry settings you can make in order to set various options of the taskbar, as you could in Windows 10 from the GUI. Restart Explorer after changing any of them for the effect to take place. To apply, copy the text to a text file, save it as something.reg and then open it.

About News and Interests
The "News and Interests" taskbar button cannot be restored. It has been entirely removed from the code. Or rather, maybe it was never added to the Explorer version in the branch from which Windows 11 was created. Anyway, when comparing explorer.exe from 10 to 11, "News and interests" is missing entirely, it's not merely neutered like the Win+X menu.

Enable missing system tray icons
This is actually not a registry tweak. Instead, open Run Win+R and type this:

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}\SystemIcons

In the window that appears, pick the system icons that you want to show in the tray and confirm with OK.

Disable taskbar buttons grouping

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoTaskGrouping"=dword:00000001

or

• For the taskbar on the main monitor:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"TaskbarGlomLevel"=dword:00000002

• For the taskbars on other monitors:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"MMTaskbarGlomLevel"=dword:00000002

0 = Always combine, 1 = Combine when taskbar is full, 2 = Never combine

Enable taskbar on other monitors

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"MMTaskbarEnabled"=dword:00000001

Behavior of taskbar button on multiple monitors

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"MMTaskbarMode"=dword:00000002

0 = Show taskbar buttons on all taskbars
1 = Show taskbar buttons on main taskbar and taskbar where window is open
2 = Show taskbar buttons on taskbar where window is open

Small taskbar icons

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"TaskbarSmallIcons"=dword:00000001

Hide Cortana button

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ShowCortanaButton"=dword:00000000

Hide Task View button

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ShowTaskViewButton"=dword:00000000

Hide Search box or Search icon

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search]
"SearchboxTaskbarMode"=dword:00000000

0 = disabled, 1 = show search icon, 2 = show search box

Change default action of power button in Start
This is useful in Windows 7-like menus like StartIsBack, OpenShell, also determines the default in the "Shut Down Windows" window (Alt+F4 on the desktop).

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search]
"Start_PowerButtonAction"=dword:00000002

dword:00000100 = Switch user
dword:00000001 = Sign out
dword:00000010 = Sleep
dword:00000040 = Hibernate
dword:00000002 = Shut down
dword:00000004 = Restart

Show Start menu on monitor where the mouse is located when pressing the Windows key

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage]
"MonitorOverride"=dword:00000000

0 = Enabled (Start menu shows on the monitor where the mouse is located)
1 or not created = Disabled (Start menu always shows on the first monitor)

Show Command Prompt instead of PowerShell in Win+X menu

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"DontUsePowerShellOnWinX"=dword:00000001

Open Start at logon

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage]
"OpenAtLogon"=dword:00000001

Here is a list of common registry settings you can make in order to set various options of the taskbar, as you could in Windows 10 from the GUI. Restart Explorer after changing any of them for the effect to take place. To apply, copy the text to a text file, save it as something.reg and then open it.

Enable missing system tray icons
This is actually not a registry tweak. Instead, open Run Win+R and type this:

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}\SystemIcons

In the window that appears, pick the system icons that you want to show in the tray and confirm with OK.

Disable taskbar buttons grouping

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoTaskGrouping"=dword:00000001

or

• For the taskbar on the main monitor:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"TaskbarGlomLevel"=dword:00000002

• For the taskbars on other monitors:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"MMTaskbarGlomLevel"=dword:00000002

0 = Always combine, 1 = Combine when taskbar is full, 2 = Never combine

Enable taskbar on other monitors

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"MMTaskbarEnabled"=dword:00000001

Behavior of taskbar button on multiple monitors

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"MMTaskbarMode"=dword:00000002

0 = Show taskbar buttons on all taskbars
1 = Show taskbar buttons on main taskbar and taskbar where window is open
2 = Show taskbar buttons on taskbar where window is open

Small taskbar icons

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"TaskbarSmallIcons"=dword:00000001

Hide Cortana button

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ShowCortanaButton"=dword:00000000

Hide Task View button

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ShowTaskViewButton"=dword:00000000

Hide Search box or Search icon

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search]
"SearchboxTaskbarMode"=dword:00000000

0 = disabled, 1 = show search icon, 2 = show search box

Change default action of power button in Start
This is useful in Windows 7-like menus like StartIsBack, OpenShell, also determines the default in the "Shut Down Windows" window (Alt+F4 on the desktop).

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search]
"Start_PowerButtonAction"=dword:00000002

dword:00000100 = Switch user
dword:00000001 = Sign out
dword:00000010 = Sleep
dword:00000040 = Hibernate
dword:00000002 = Shut down
dword:00000004 = Restart

Show Start menu on monitor where the mouse is located when pressing the Windows key

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage]
"MonitorOverride"=dword:00000000

0 = Enabled (Start menu shows on the monitor where the mouse is located)
1 or not created = Disabled (Start menu always shows on the first monitor)

Show Command Prompt instead of PowerShell in Win+X menu

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"DontUsePowerShellOnWinX"=dword:00000001

Open Start directly to All apps

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage]
"MakeAllAppsDefault"=dword:00000001

Maximum number of apps to show in the Most used list in Start

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"Start_MaximumFrequentApps"=dword:00000006

Enable/disable Windows version watermark on the desktop

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"PaintDesktopVersion"=dword:00000001

Disable new command bar in Explorer (and alternate way to disable the immersive context menu in Explorer)
Credit: Reddit thread

Disable new context menu:

reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

Restore new context menu:

reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}" /f

Disable Explorer command bar:

reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

Restore Explorer command bar:

reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d93ed569-3b3e-4bff-8355-3c44f6a52bb5}" /f

Basically, it overrides the values in HKLM which specify where the code for the COM components responsible for the new immersive context menu and the new command bar are located, providing empty values (for path and the threading model) so that Explorer fails to load the aforementioned components and the code falls back to the old code path where the ribbon or command bar is used. A very smart approach, I might add.

Disable / enable modern search box in File Explorer

Disable:

reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{1d64637d-31e9-4b06-9124-e83fb178ac6e}\TreatAs" /f /ve /t REG_SZ /d "{64bc32b5-4eec-4de7-972d-bd8bd0324537}"

Enable:

reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{1d64637d-31e9-4b06-9124-e83fb178ac6e}" /f

!!! README : RULES !!! DO NOT FILE ISSUES !!! USE DISCUSSIONS

UPDATE: READ THIS

Old (but still relevant) post:

THIS SECTION IS INTENDED FOR DEVELOPERS TO TRACK ACTUAL ISSUES, PROBLEMS, BUGS, WORK IN PROGRESS FEATURES OF THE APPLICATION. THE ONLY REASON THIS SECTION IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS BECAUSE SOME DESIGN GENIUS AT GITHUB/MICROSOFT DECIDED NOT TO OFFER AN OPTION TO RESTRICT THIS AND CONSTANTLY IGNORED THE COMMUNITY ASKING THIS FOR YEARS.

DISCUSSIONS: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/discussions

QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE APP, HOW TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING ETC ARE MORE THAN OK, BUT SHOULD BE POSTED IN THE "DISCUSSIONS" TAB. FROM NOW ON (THE OLD THREADS HERE WERE SIMPLY IGNORED); I WILL SIMPLY CLOSE AND IGNORE ANY NON-ISSUE POSTED HERE.

ALSO, FEATURE REQUESTS AND ENHANCEMENTS DO NOT QUALIFY AS ISSUES AND SHOULD BE SIMILARLY POSTED IN THE "DISCUSSIONS" TAB, WHERE OTHER PEOPLE CAN DISCUSS THEM EASILY, VOTE ON THEM AND WORK TOWARDS A GENERAL RESOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. Once a feature request/enhancement is decided on, it may appear here as an issue for the developers to track the implementation.

Some other points:

• Also, please double check that the "issue" you are facing is an actual issue. The documentation is posted there for a reason. PLEASE, take the time to read the documentation and help us improve it if you find it is lacking in some areas (opening an issue for that is fine, but a pull request would be even way better).
• Things are pretty convoluted already in Windows, we do not need to make them even more convoluted. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to disable any other shell extensions, plugins, whatever, test whether the problem happens on a clean slate as well, and only then report the issue. If it does not happen, try to enable other stuff one at a time and see where the conflict may come from.
• Please refrain from opening issues with a 1-line description of the problem. Please describe in detail what is happening, so we can get to solving it more easily. Besides issues tracking on-going implementation features, my goal is to solve most bugs as quickly as possible, as they are disturbing for users. This is only achievable if the issue description is detailed and on-point.
• For simple issues, like fixing the documentation, the README etc, you are highly encouraged to fork the repository, fix the file and make a pull request which we'll review and integrate, so that it is less work to do on our side and things move a bit faster.

Thank you

ExplorerPatcher settings interface is not compatible with Windows Classic theme

The settings dialog is empty:

How to uninstall / Can't update to new version: 'File in use'

How to update it to new version(or just delete it)?
Can't replace it with new vesion dll,and error show "file in use".

Command bar does not get disabled

The Windows 11 File Explorer toolbar is disabled using this guide (blocking the shell extension):
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/restore-windows-10-explorer-windows-11

Then the ribbon is disabled by OldNewExplorer.

Previously I had the command bar disabled as well using this guide (shellstyle.dll modification): https://winclassic.boards.net/thread/759/tutorial-remove-command-bar-windows

But after learning that ExplorerPatcher can disable the command bar by itself, without the dll modification, I restored the system files using sfc /scannow.

After that and reboot, the command bar is back, even though ExplorerPatcher is running and "Disable command bar" option is on.

After modifying shellstyle.dll again, I get it removed:

Use small icons

Maybe add the option for small icons under:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarSmallIcons
DWORD: 0x01

It seems to work with build 22000.194 even though the option isn't listed.

Have the application save configs and symbols in common app data instead of app data

    SHGetFolderPathW(
        NULL,
        CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA,
        NULL,
        SHGFP_TYPE_CURRENT,
        wszSettingsPath
    );

(Line 2948)
Change the CSIDL_APPDATA to CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA and make the pdbs store in C:\ProgramData instead of the user appdata folder(therefore,enabling it to be stored in install.wim)

Try UPGDSED

The is a project on Github called UPGDSED that can crack the digital signature module in ntoskrnl.exe to disable driver signing(And maybe other system files).Unfortunately the owner abandoned the project and it cannot support any version higer than 17134.0. Maybe you can develop it and by doing so the system dlls can be changed freely

I did nothing and now everything looks like windows 10.

A notification popped up saying that that something had been updated. This was while I was doing something so I didn't look much into it. After a bit, I saw that my start button and other taskbar buttons had been reskinned, and pretty much everything in the bottom right had gone. I did not ask for any of this to happen, and I would like to know how to revert it.
Side note: I got this tool to make the start menu open all apps when I open it and nothing else.

Disable taskbar buttons grouping

Can we disable grouping function on taskbar?

Built in offsets for known Windows versions

Can the settings.ini automatically added to the dll when the system is of a known version?Or can i add this myself?

[Feature Suggestion] GUI for non tech-saavy users

IIRC Starting on Oct. 5, win11 will roll out to the public. I'm already seeing some ppl complaining about some features (mostly the startmenu, but also taskbar and explorer) introduced in Win11.
The problem is, not many non-IT ppl feel comfortable using even Run(Win+R) or regedit.
A solution to this IMO is to provide a simple GUI for settings:

• Show a (possibly exhaustive) list of edits
• Show whether those changes are applied (via checking if registry key is created/edited, etc.)
• Check for updates - applying update feature isn't essential, though.

I don't have time to write one, but a quick WinForms+PS script might be just enough for the job.

How to patch explorer directly

In Win11DisableRoundedCorners,the DLL is patched rather than hooked.Is there a way to patch the explorer.exe to restore the Win10 UI?

Skin the power user menu (Win+X)

The power user menu (Win+X menu) is unskinned - it has the default menu appearance from Windows 11 instead of the look the clock, taskbar etc context menus get; at the moment, I think it boils down to correctly calling ImmersiveContextMenuHelper::ApplyOwnerDrawToMenu, but unfortunately I've yet to do it correctly.

Delay at logon on newer builds (22000.168)

When enabling this, there is a big delay before the desktop is shown in newer builds like 22000.168. It is similar to the effect of UndockingDisabled which has been mentioned in a few places, including https://forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/solved-build-22000-xx-old-taskbar-and-keep-explorer-new-features.83668/page-6.

[22000.176] Patch not having effect[solved, but note for others]

After placing the dll at the correct place, it doesn't show any diffrence - but when trying to delete it, it says that it's in use.
Restarted both PC & explorer.exe.

EDIT: wait, it sometimes take some time to become effective. seems like at most ~5 min wait is helpful

[Feature Enhancement]: Give option to revert to classic context menu too

Perhaps some users will prefer the modern context menu but I just can't get used to it. I use too many shell extensions and Registry verbs which will never be updated for new style of context menus.

So please if you can bring them back, it will be another delightful surprise.

This Registry tweak stopped working in recent builds: https://winaero.com/how-to-enable-full-context-menus-in-windows-11/

"Modern search box" is unexpectedly moved away when clicked

The new version 22449.1000.0.18 works perfectly to patch Explorer and load classic Taskbar with the pre-configured Settings.ini. I am on Windows 11 22449.1000. And the change to revert to the classic search is very welcome - I was gonna ask for it but then I thought I've made so many feature requests in last couple of days, maybe I should give you some rest :D

The Advanced Query Syntax completion is why I like the old box. It's easy to select a date range for example in the classic one.

While the old one is working perfectly, just for testing I set AllowModernSearchBox=1. It appears like as in the picture below:

But when I actually click it or press Ctrl+E to focus it, it disappears and the text cursor indicator appears somewhere on top near the Ribbon tabs. Is it because I've enabled the Ribbon using the latest Winaero Tweaker tweak? If I type in it, the new search works but box remains in the wrong position.

Btw, another change to Explorer when they changed the search box was that they made the Address bar thicker. It used to be much less taller in earlier Windows 10 releases and Windows 7/8.1. Is there a way to revert to the thinner address bar? It is useful on 16:9 laptops where the tall address bar pushes custom toolbars further down reducing the area to list files.

Thanks for this awesome version. The change to revert the search should have been optional by Microsoft since they couldn't build a combined version with the new changes.

Can you add a small taskbar without blocking the date?

Can you add a small taskbar without blocking the date? Now change the value of taskbarsi, and the date will be blocked

Start menu changes location when using search

when i open start and start typing it jumps from left corner where I have it set up to the center of the screen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El3PD1XgzUw

Thank you!

Brilliant!!!!))))

How to patch explorer directly

In Win11DisableRoundedCorners,the DLL is patched rather than hooked.Is there a way to patch the explorer.exe to restore the Win10 UI?

Ask here any question about the functionality of the app

PLEASE USE DISCUSSIONS HERE: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/discussions

Please do not file new issues where you ask about application features, how to configure the app and so on. Instead, post it here and we will help you out by the minute.

Thank you.

Win+C should open the calendar flyout

As suggested by @Gaurav-Original-ClassicShellTester, Win+C should open the classic calendar flyout. This is especially useful so we can free the notification panel off this duty, so we can see more notifications at a glance. At the moment, Win+C just crashes Explorer, likely because it tries to launch Cortana which it cannot find anymore since it was removed in Windows 11.

Map the power user menu to Win+X keyboard shortcut

The power user menu (Win+X menu) is mapped to Win+F for the moment, as I've yet to have the time to investigate where exactly Win+X is handled (i.e. it is not in CImmersiveHotkeyNotification::OnMessage).