ExplorerPatcher cannot be updated

When I start my PC I get a message that ExplorerPatcher has a new version. I try to update but there is this error message that says it cannot be updated because some older backup files are still in use. I tried to capture that message in a screen shot but that doesn't work either. Any ideas what this is?

Uninstall it, restart, reinstall it. If it won't uninstall, you may have to try it in safe mode.

what version of explorer patcher are you on ?

Latest Version 22621.1413.54.5

Even if you fix it, latest update may break it again
Is it really worth the effort, the numbere of times these break?


After installing this or later updates, Windows devices with some third-party UI customization apps might not start up. These third-party apps might cause errors with explorer.exe that might repeat multiple times in a loop. The known affected third-party UI customization apps are ExplorerPatcher and StartAllBack. These types of apps often use unsupported methods to achieve their customization and as a result can have unintended results on your Windows device.

I tried to uninstall, same error message. Doesn't update, doesn't uninstall. Great app!

I agree with @cereberus. Is it worth it as future windows updates will only break it again?

Stop Explorerpatcher using Task Manager. Also in task manager under startup, disable explorerpatcher.

Download and run Revo Uninstaller Free. Be sure to check and remove all leftover items Revo finds.

OK, installed Revo, it shows lots of remnants. Should I check all of them? It won't delete any other stuff, right?

check every single one and click delete button. You will probably see both files and registry entries. Once uninstalled restart
No it won't delete any thing else if the only app you chose to delete was Explorerpatcher

Well, I went through all the paces with Revo but it's still there!

I pulled up a wiki from the developer that says

Uninstalling​

• 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.

If that doesn't work, I have no other suggestion except to manually uninstall all its files and registry entries, restore an image or restore point from prior to the last cumulative, or reset the system. You should be able to reset and keep your files.

You can also join the developer's site. On the toolbar it says "Issues" where you can give your issue. Valentin-Gabriel Radu, it's developer, is pretty good about answering questions. Give as much information as to what you have done thus far. GitHub - valinet/ExplorerPatcher: This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows

The funny thing is, in Revo it's gone.
I'll contact the developer, just for the heck of it.
Thanks for all the input.
Ed

Hey Ed, Try one more thing.
If revo shows it's gone but you still get a notice at boot that says there is an update, something is autostarting.
Download autoruns Autoruns for Windows - Sysinternals
It is a standalone app. Unzip it. Right click on autoruns.exe and select run as administrator.
Under the logon tab make sure nothing in the list referring to autopatcher, or valinet has a check mark before it. If you see something that does, uncheck it.
Then click on everything tab and do the same thing.
The settings are saved as soon as you exit autoruns.

Also, Open task scheduler If there is any task scheduled for explorer patcher, disable it.

Hi glasskuter,
Installed Autoruns, no autopatcher referral under the Logon tab.

Now the Start Menu button doesn't open the start menu anymore, it just restarts file explorer.

There's definitely part of Explorerpatcher lurking around in there somewhere. MS warned in the update release notes specifically that the update would break explorerpatcher users systems.
Unless the explorerpatcher developer is able to suggest something that may help, here are your options as I see it.

1. Restore an image from prior to last cumulative and attempt removal of explorerpatcher again before reinstalling update.
2. Try system restore if you have a restore point prior to last cumulative and attempt removal of explorerpatcher again before reinstalling update..
3. You can try a repair install which might work, but I feel like whatever file or registry entry has broken it will still be there with a repair install. Just my opinion here.
4. Do a reset and keep files. A reset removes third party apps. Settings>system>recovery
5. Another option is a custom install. It clean install windows but copies your personal files to windows.old(This option I have not tried. I always backup files and do a clean install. That's just me and my preference) Custom Install Windows 11 Tutorial
6. Do a clean install. Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

In any case, backup your personal data first. Please consider adjusting to using Windows own start and taskbar configuration. We don't know when an update will affect it again. At first, there were things I didn't like about 11 and I used Start11, but finally decided for me these 3rd party tools were more problem than they were worth. Once you get accustomed to using things the MS way, you don't notice it being a problem any more. You accept it and go on. Keep us posted on what you end up doing. Good luck.

Well, suddenly the Start Menu button works again. Go figure!

If the uninstaller causes a problem
You need to manually delete the registry

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ExplorerPatcher

Click to expand...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExplorerPatcher

Click to expand...