ExplorerPatcher possibly interfering with Windows Update

[DevBlocker]

Before reporting your issue

• I have confirmed that this issue does not happen when ExplorerPatcher is not installed
• I do not have "register as shell extension" enabled
• I have tried my best to check existing issues

Repro ExplorerPatcher versions

ExplorerPatcher 22621.4317.67.1

Repro Windows Versions

Windows 11 23H2 22631.4751

3rd party tweak software installed

TranslucentTB
Wallpaper Engine

Describe the bug

1. Windows Update failed the first time and asks for retry.
2. When retried, Windows opens this "Windows 11 Update" window and says

Expected outcome

Windows Update should have proceeded normally without getting an alert about ExplorerPatcher.

Actual outcome

ExplorerPatcher triggering security or performance issue flag on Windows Update. Windows Update asking for a new version of ExplorerPatcher.

Additional info

No response

Crash Dumps

No response

Media

No response

[ff66theone]

They have already said it, if you are upgrading from a major version to another (eg. 23H2 to 24H2), you have to uninstall EP and reinstall it afterwards. You shouldn't be affected by regular updates, don't worry. I have got that error on my laptop once, and after having uninstalled EP the setup let me install the 24H2 update.

[pyrates999]

If you think this will be fixed by EP by filing this, you're mistaken.

What do you not understand about the error message that windows shows you?

[Phoscur]

They have already said it, if you are upgrading from a major version to another (eg. 23H2 to 24H2), you have to uninstall EP and reinstall it afterwards.

From where exactly are you quoting, would you please give the reference?

Maybe it would be a good idea to add an extra note to the EP Updates Settings?

Why is this the only way? Maybe EP could add a mode to self-disable instead?

[ff66theone]

1. The earliest duplicate issue is Windows 11 Update will not install due to security or performance issues #3783 and they have talked about this. I know that it is closed and not pinned, but they have talked here about your exact issue.
2. They (the mods, I am not a maintainer sadly) could put a disclaimer on top of the description instead, or in the "Updates" section.
3. No, not running an app doesn't mean the files aren't here. That means that unless you tamper with your OS or the ISO, you can't bypass that blacklist.

[pyrates999]

The error message is generated by windows not EP. If you don't want to uninstall EP, go complain to Microsoft as they are the ones showing this error message.

Can we automatically close issues like this with a standard reply indicating for you to uninstall EP before upgrading windows?

[milestprower92]

@DevBlocker rename ep_dwm.exe in C:\Program Files\ExplorerPatcher