Download ExplorerPatcher Version 22621.4317.67.1 for Enhanced Windows Experience

Introducing ExplorerPatcher: A Free Windows Explorer Enhancement Tool

ExplorerPatcher is a multifunctional, cost-free application designed specifically for enhancing the Windows Explorer experience. This powerful utility provides users with a plethora of options to fine-tune and personalize their Windows interface. From customizing context menus to changing file name colors and revealing hidden features, ExplorerPatcher significantly improves the functionality of Windows.

Key Features of ExplorerPatcher

Taskbar Customization: Choose between the aesthetics of Windows 10 and Windows 11 taskbars, complete with label support, small icons, and extensive personalization options.
Context Menu Control: Disable the Windows 11 context menu and command bar in File Explorer, allowing for a more traditional navigation experience.
Start Menu Flexibility: Make Start open directly to All Apps by default, customize the number of frequently used apps displayed, and configure which monitor shows the Start menu.
Alt-Tab Customization: Select among the Alt-Tab switchers from Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows NT, each featuring its own customization settings.

Quality of Life Improvements

ExplorerPatcher brings numerous enhancements to make your user experience more streamlined and enjoyable, including:

Update the appearance of tray menus to align with the Windows interface, enabling them to function like flyout menus and centering them accordingly.
Customize actions associated with left and right clicks on the network icon.
Reintroduce the classic Windows 7 search box in File Explorer or completely disable the Windows Search feature.
Eliminate immersive menus while employing adjustments that enable the classic theme to function glitch-free.
For a complete list of ExplorerPatcher’s capabilities, explore the official wiki.

Recent Updates in ExplorerPatcher 22621.4317.67.1

This latest version of ExplorerPatcher has been tested on several OS builds, including 22621.3296, 22631.4391, and others.

Significant Changes:

Taskbar Functionality: Restored functionality for the Win+X menu on builds 226xx.4317+.
Start Menu Stability: Resolved issues with the resource loader failing when the boot drive letter diverges from C:.
Context Menu Improvements: Fixed crash scenarios when accessing context menus with jump list entries on newer builds.
UI Enhancements: Improved handling of “Not responding”windows and animated flashing taskbar items.
Accessibility Features: Narrator support has been implemented for the “Show desktop” button.
Localization: Introduced new language translations, including Portuguese (Brazil).

Antivirus Exclusions

To avoid complications due to false positives, it’s essential to add specific ExplorerPatcher folders to your antivirus exclusion list. Include the following directories:

C:\Program Files\ExplorerPatcher
%APPDATA%\ExplorerPatcher
C:\Windows\dxgi.dll
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy
C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy

PowerShell Script for Windows Defender

If you’re using Windows Defender, you can easily set up these exclusions with the following PowerShell script run as an administrator:

   
  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"

A Note from the Developer

The creation of ExplorerPatcher’s taskbar implementation involved considerable time and effort, spanning eight months. If you appreciate this innovation and wish to support further development, consider donating to @Amrsatrio via Ko-fi.

Additional Resources

For more information, refer to the README document. You can also find a comprehensive change log here.