Cannot Uninstall, Update, or Manually Delete EP

[Lentash]

Before reporting your issue

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

Repro ExplorerPatcher versions

26100.4946.69.4

Repro Windows Versions

Windows 11 25H2 26200.6899 x64

3rd party tweak software installed

n/a

Describe the bug

Hello, I've searched and tried following all of the discussions I can find on this topic but to no avail.

On win11 25H2 with 26100.4946.69.4

1-When I try to uninstall I get the "an error has occurred servicing explorerpatcher 1311" 2-When I try to update I get the " an error has occurred servicing explorerpatcher 1248" 3-I am unable to delete the explorerpatcher folder under program files, even though I am in the local admin group, the ability to edit permissions or even take ownership of the files in that folder are greyed out. (All other files on the PC I can edit permissions on and take ownership just fine).

-Tried as well in safe mode and had the same results. -Register as shell extension is not on. -Antivirus fully disabled -My guess is item #3 above is the main issue and causing items #1 and 2. I have tried the local administrator account and it also has no access. I had tried resetting permission on the EP files with icacls but those files again error out with access denied.

Not sure what else to try... Thanks

FYI tried these: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/issues/4627 https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/issues/3955

Expected outcome

Cannot Uninstall, Update, or Manually Delete EP

Actual outcome

Error: an error has occurred servicing explorerpatcher 1311 & 1248

Additional info

No response

Crash Dumps

No response

Media

No response

[pyrates999]

If you are running a third party antivirus, you must add the following exclusions/exceptions to it:

C:\Program Files\ExplorerPatcher
C:\Windows\dxgi.dll
C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy
C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy

For every user that is a member of the administrators group, you must add this as an exclusion/exception:

C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\ExplorerPatcher

EP doesn't work under a regular user account.

---

Then attempt to reinstall it from here: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases

Then try to uninstall it. Here's the various ways you can try to uninstall it: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki/Installer-How-To#how-to-uninstall

[Lentash]

Thank you for the suggestion, however as mentioned antivirus has already been fully disabled. I am still unable to reinstall, uninstall, and manually delete the EP files as outlined in my original post.

[pyrates999]

Then add the exceptions to windows defender as it takes over when you disable a third party antivirus.

[Lentash]

Issues are still as described even with AV exclusions. Also note this happens in safe mode. I updated the original post with more detail. Thanks

[pyrates999]

check this: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/issues/4372

they were getting similar issues. I'm guessing your antivirus is SentinelOne and you will probably need to uninstall it first before you can try to manually remove EP now.

[hjxkyw]

Just to confirm, it happens here too. It seems ep_setup.exe enters a loop or something. The cursor keeps flickering the wait icon. And there are several copies of it running (maybe because I tried to uninstall several times).

My machine is a corporate WIndows 11 laptop, with all sorts of locks and anti-malware and such (Netskope, Forescout, Crowdstrike, maybe more). It's impossible for me to change anything. But I do have a local admin account.

I almost never had any problems before (I seem to remember there was also a bad version maybe 2 or 3 years ago.

The best I was able to do was logout, so that ep_setup.exe was terminated, and login again.

But some things are strange, Task Manager now opens the UAC window ... maybe other programs too.

Windows 11 21H2 (yeah, very old, but for some reason, maybe the corporate admins messed up, it doesn't update).

There are problems with 26100.4946.69.4, that's for sure.

[pyrates999]

See this community post: https://community.spiceworks.com/t/uac-prompts-all-over-the-place/932390/8

This is caused by the security software you have installed, not EP.

Go talk to your IT department on why they changed their Group Policy settings.

[Lentash]

I looked at : https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/issues/4372 however I do not see where it says his issue is resolved nor by removing AV. https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/issues/4372#issuecomment-3254464117

Even without S1 the same update and uninstall errors persist. And the various EP files around the system are in use or locked.

I have a feeling I am going to have to format and reinstall windows to be able to get away from these EP issues.

[pyrates999]

You shouldn't have to reformat.

Please run the following in an elevated command prompt (right click on command prompt icon and select run as administrator) or elevated powershell (right click on powershell icon and select run as administrator):

chkdsk C:

If it tells you there are errors, then run this:

chkdsk C: /F

Reboot to run it on boot. Keep running that command until it reports no errors. Then run this to repair windows:

sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /analyzecomponentstore
dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup

then run this until it reports no errors:

sfc /scannow

Then reboot your computer.

[sire021]

This is by far the worst 3rd party app experience I've had. It is impossible to uninstall.

Same like @Lentash I've tried everything, from disabling S1 to safe mode and absolutely nothing works.

Now it's interfering with patching and can't do an in-place upgrade (as confirmed by setuperr.log). The only path forward is a complete wipe of the PC.

Eff this tool and the person who created it.

[hjxkyw]

followup to my message of Oct 20

my problems were cause by the IT administrators who removed my user from the "local administrator" group

[sire021]

I am admin, I have full control yet this dumb app still doesn't want to go away.

same errors as @Lentash, I've combed through every single listed article/thread incl. the ones referencing the trusted installer uet NOTHING works.

this thing is a POS