ExplorerPatcher is a powerful and entirely free application designed to customize and enhance the functionality of Windows Explorer. With its impressive suite of features, it empowers users to modify context menus, alter file name colors, and unlock hidden functionalities within the Windows operating system.
Key Features of ExplorerPatcher
- Select between a Windows 11 or Windows 10-style taskbar, complete with support for labels, compact icons, and extensive customization options.
- Disable the Windows 11 context menu and command bar within File Explorer, enhancing your navigation experience.
- Set the Start Menu to open directly to All Apps by default, control the number of frequently used apps displayed, and customize their layout according to your active monitor.
- Choose your preferred Alt-Tab window switcher—be it from Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows NT—with additional customization options available.
Enhancements for a Better User Experience
ExplorerPatcher introduces a variety of quality-of-life improvements for the Windows shell, such as:
- Skinning system tray menus to align with Windows aesthetics, allowing for better usability with behaviors that mimic flyouts.
- Customizable actions for left and right clicks on the network icon, providing more control over connectivity settings.
- The option to revert to the classic Windows 7 search box in File Explorer or completely disable the Windows Search feature if preferred.
- Disable immersive menus and implement solutions to run a genuine classic theme without glitches.
- For an in-depth look at all features available, explore this wiki.
Latest Updates in ExplorerPatcher 22631.5335.68.2
This version has been rigorously tested on various OS builds, ensuring compatibility and enhanced functionality. Below are the notable changes:
- Resolved a bug with Pin to Start on builds 226×1.4541+ and 261xx.2454+.
- Introduced support for the 24H2 update.
- Renamed ep_dwm.exe to ep_dwm_svc.exe to bypass upgrade blocks associated with 24H2.
- Assured that ep_dwm is unregistered upon uninstallation, irrespective of its running status.
- The setup process now includes failure messages that display the corresponding code line for better troubleshooting.
- Corrected immersive menu disabling on ARM64 and ensured system stability by addressing various bugs.
- Enhancements to GUI including dropdown indicators and language name inclusions for better understanding.
- Localization improvements with added support for Czech and Spanish (Spain) translations.
- Fixed compatibility issues with several Windows versions and enhanced language support across multiple dialects.
Note: Recently released binaries may occasionally be flagged as false positives by Windows Defender. To avoid installation issues, consider adding the following paths to your antivirus exclusion list:
- 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 Defender Exclusions
To streamline the exclusion process for Windows Defender, you can execute the following commands in PowerShell 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"
Inadequate exclusions can lead to difficulties in installing or uninstalling ExplorerPatcher and may hinder the operations of explorer.exe.
Support the Developer
The developer has invested significant time—eight consecutive months—into refining the taskbar feature of ExplorerPatcher. Testing on ARM64 devices incurs substantial costs, so any donations are appreciated. If you’d like to contribute, please consider donating to @Amrsatrio via Ko-fi.
Further Reading and Downloads
For comprehensive information, consult the README file, and the detailed change log is available here.
To download ExplorerPatcher version 22631.5335.68.2, click on the links below:
Download ExplorerPatcher 22631.5335.68.2 | Download ARM64 version | ~11.0 MB (Open Source)
You can also visit the ExplorerPatcher Home Page for additional features and screenshots.
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