Adding New Toolbar locks Taskbar with no popup explorer window to select folder

[LukeDouglas2]

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

Version 22631.5335.68.2

After the last update, whenever I attempt to right-click the taskbar > toolbars > add new toolbar, I do not get a file explorer popup to select a folder and the taskbar is basically hung up. If I right-click or left-click it I get a beep and nothing happens.

I've used ExplorerPatcher ever since I upgraded to Windows 11 and this is the first time I've had this issue.

Repro Windows Versions

OS Name: Windows 11 Home
Version: 10.0.26100 Build 26100

3rd party tweak software installed

No other 3rd party tweak software installed

Describe the bug

1. Installed ExploerPatcher (weeks ago)
2. Right-click on taskbar
3. Hover over Toolbar
4. Click on New Toolbar
5. No popup File Exploer window appears to select folder
6. Taskbar is basically locked. Any action whether to left or right click, click on a pinned taskbar app/program returns a 'beep' and nothing happens.
7. I have to restart the file exploer in task manager to get functionality back for non-exploerpatcher functionality

Expected outcome

When I clicked 'Add toolbar', I expected a File Explorer window to pop-up so I could select the folder for the new toolbar

Actual outcome

No file explorer popped up and taskbar was locked. No action, whether left or right click worked.

Additional info

No response

Crash Dumps

I copied to a Public > Troubleshooting > ExplorerPatcher folder which is shared to all.

AWCC.exe.23020.dmp:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13Os9FXZg5GxmhDsWLcIYHOC1q12Qz8MR/view?usp=drive_link

GameBar.exe.37360.dmp
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HP-bjM_wn7Goc4RZEn5-LbT5E1DZKF8v/view?usp=drive_link

Media

No response

[LukeDouglas2]

Also, I did uninstall ExplorerPatcher, re-downloaded current versions, and re-installed. Same results.

[xxtitouan7-crypto]

Exact same issue for me :)
First symptom: Explorer Patcher doesn't display the contents of the toolbar. Then, Explorer Patcher doesn't open any windows when creating a new toolbar.

Explorer Patcher seems to remain functional because i can hear a window notification sound when you click on it.

Win Explorer still work i can open a shortcut on my desktop or open explorer from Start Menu (using keyboard shortcut)

Once Explorer is restarted via the Task Manager, the entire program works correctly (for example, by pinning Windows Explorer or another program). I temporarily deleted my toolbars.

[LukeDouglas2]

I followed what you did by deleting my toolbars and restarting Windows Explorer but it didn't work for me.

Now I can add one of the three listed toolbars like Desktop but, again, it does not display the shortcuts on my desktop when I click the '>>' icon. I can click on Address and Links which both display. But once I click on 'New toolbar', the whole things just locks up and nothing on the taskbar, not even the pinned apps, will work.

[pyrates999]

if you enabled the option register as shell extension, disable it by opening up the EP properties application, go to File Explorer, and untick Register as shell extension.

Here's why: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki/Using-ExplorerPatcher-as-shell-extension

[kha-in]

Temporary measures:
When taskbar was locked on creating a new toolbar, pressing Ctrl+Esc keys show you the FIle Explorer window.

[LukeDouglas2]

Unregistered as shell extension... No change. Activating the Desktop toolbar does not popup the desktop icons when you hover or click on '>>'. When I click new toolbar, it locks up again.

I have totally enjoyed Explorer Patcher ever since Microsoft in their 'infinite' wisdom took away custom toolbars, one of the worst decisions made by Microsoft and I have used their products since 1980. Not a Microsoft basher. But it just seems that an update, whether the last one or maybe earlier that I didn't notice since the custom toolbars I had created were already set that this glitch has appeared.

[pyrates999]

did you click on restart file explorer after unticking Register as shell extension?

[LukeDouglas2]

Naturally! :)

[pyrates999]

did you right click on the taskbar and make sure Lock the taskbar is unticked?

[pyrates999]

check this comment from here: #4073 (comment)

[mrfurry]

Ditto - tried "Do not change taskbar context menu" as well. Desktop folders do not display at all. When I remove and re-create the DT folders (with a lot of ctrl-esc to force refresh of explorer) they show up again briefly - then are gone again.

Press ctrl-esc or the Windows key, then the DT folders work once.

[ichJan1970]

on my side I noticed:
When Taskmanager (Taskmgr.exe) is running: TaskBar-Toolbar is OK
When Taskmanager (Taskmgr.exe) is NOT running: TaskBar-Toolbar is KO
Independant from Shell-Extension = ON/OFF or 'Do not change taskbar content' = ON/OFF

Update:
Pre-Release 26100.4946.69.3 solved it for me.
Next time I will check with Pre-Release at first ...

[pyrates999]

Then this is a duplicate of: #4542

See the same work around here: #4542 (comment)

Please close this.

[LukeDouglas2]

Removed current and installed previous version. Works fine.