Some UWP apps not starting in Service Mode

[1ukastesar]

Preflight Checklist

• [X] Running microsoft-edge:https://google.com redirects successfully
• [X] Microsoft Edge is selected in any "How do you want to open this?" box

Install Type

New Install

Install Mode

Service Mode

Steps to reproduce

About a month ago, I installed MSER in Service Mode (after a long time). Shortly after that, I discovered that some Windows Apps and settings don't work (Windows Calculator, Microsoft Copilot, Xerox Print Experience - looks like not all of them, just some specific...). On top of that, some Windows settings buttons stop working. It took me a while to discover that if I shutdown or reinstall MSER in Active Mode, the problem goes away.

Logs

AppFailures.log, AppSecurity.log, PEBIAT.log and URIFailures.log are completely empty (untouched since first install). AppGeneral.log shows only a valid Windows Search box redirects which were completed successfully.

✔️ Expected Behavior

MSER won't interact with UWP apps startup.

❌ Actual Behavior

MSER in Service Mode prevents some (including but not limited to those listed) apps from starting. This applies also to the case when I find that app's EXE directly and execute it that way. It just doesn't do anything.

Microsoft Windows version

23H2 Build 22631.4112

Other Software

Windows Calculator 11.2405.2.0 Microsoft Copilot 1.0.4.0 Xerox Print and Scan Experience 9.21.12.0

List is probably incomplete, just to name a few...

[micwoj92]

I will keep this open and close https://github.com/rcmaehl/MSEdgeRedirect/issues/428 since it only mentions Calculator.

[piradata]

I opened #466 about the calculator because was the only app not oppening for me, didnt noticed it was a problem across other UWP apps

[rcmaehl]

I'm going to keep this open, but it should be fixed in 0.8

[bkaankose]

I came across this after a user has reported an issue on one of my UWP apps that use AppServiceConnection.

https://github.com/bkaankose/Wino-Mail/issues/500#issuecomment-2603270816

Looks like MSEdgeRedirect causes service connectivity issues. Commenting it here for reference.

[rcmaehl]

I came across this after a user has reported an issue on one of my UWP apps that use AppServiceConnection.

bkaankose/Wino-Mail#500 (comment)

Looks like MSEdgeRedirect causes service connectivity issues. Commenting it here for reference.

User may have installed via Service Mode which is currently gimping anything that launches as a child process of sihost due a race condition when dealing with non-privileged Microsoft Edge redirection. This should be fixed in 0.8.0.0.

[rcmaehl]

This should be fixed in 0.8. If it is not, please let me know!

[piradata]

@rcmaehl tried now active mode and now it uses even less resources and UWP apps are opening fine, much thanks!!

didn't test if the service mode still gives the problem thought.

[ElitePheonix2009]

I am also facing this issue, using 0.8.0.0. When I install it in service mode, the windows calculator stops working. When this app is uninstalled, the calculator works fine. Works fine when in active mode.

[remino]

+1

I did notice, when running MSEdgeRedirect, the control centre (the pane opening when clicking the Display and Volume icons in the taskbar) does not open, the Calculator fails to open, as well as Phone Link. It seems to interfere with some UWP apps. The moment I end MSEdgeRedirect’s process from the Task Manager, they all work as they should again.