explorer7 - Windows 7 Explorer for Windows 8.1/10/11
Sept 4, 2024 16:00:10 GMT -8
Post by Erizur on Sept 4, 2024 16:00:10 GMT -8
After almost two months of development, explorer7 is finally available for PUBLIC BETA TESTING!
Based on tihiy's old "Windows 7 Explorer on Windows 8" project, we have accounted for many COM objects and functions that have been removed between 8.1 and 10's development, resulting in a fixed version of this old program for newer Windows versions!
I would like to remind you that this is a GROUP EFFORT. Almost everything wouldn't have been possible without help from the Explorer7 staff.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS PROJECT IS ON A BETA PHASE. FULL FUNCTIONALITY ISN'T GUARANTEED.
REDISTRIBUTION ON CUSTOM ISOs/TRANSFORMATION PACKS/UNATTENDED INSTALLS IS NOT ALLOWED DURING THE BETA PHASE.
Current beta aims for full Windows 8.1 support. While it works on Windows 10 (although more buggy), we have not tested extensively against Windows 11, so do expect a worse experience on that operating system. Support for Windows 11 right now is merely coincidental with 10 support.
There are no plans for a 32-bit version, so please refrain from asking for one.
The explorer.exe executable does not handle File Explorer windows, it only manages the Start Menu and Taskbar. If you wish to restore the command bar, use explorer7 in combination with other customization software.
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS
- Import the "Import Me.reg" file included in the zip file to the registry.
- Open up ex7forw8.exe. Locate your Windows 7 files and continue the installation.
- Choose the Windows 7 shell option and log off. Log in again to see the Windows 7 explorer.
- Choose the Windows 7 shell option and log off. Log in again to see the Windows 7 explorer.
- Enjoy!
NOTE: There are extra instructions on the README file. Please read them.
Known issues/limitations (General):
- UWP/Metro UI apps won't run. This is a limitation that we might work on fixing sometime in the future.
- There are no multi-monitor taskbars. This is a Windows 7 limitation.
- Autoplay may not function properly.
- Context menu entries for pinning and unpinning internal start menu items are missing.
- 8.x style transparency does not work on the taskbar/start menu.
Known issues/limitations (Windows 10/11):
- All programs list functionality is inadequate and relies on a temporary hack.
- Thumbnails use inactive DWM Colorization. (Only happens on Windows 10 1809+)
- Icon badges for compression are visible.
- Changing accent color does not reflect until you restart explorer.exe.
- Notification icon settings in Control Panel are missing.
- Taskbar may have weird color behavior if your system's theme filename is "aero.msstyles".
- Searching for an executable by the name of the executable rather than shortcut name will result in the item not opening/responding correctly to user input.
CREDITS:
- wiktorwiktor12: Original Research, Lead Developer
- AM_Erizur (me!): Original Research, Developer, Beta Tester
- Ittr: Original Research, Developer, Beta Tester
- kfh83: Original Research, Beta Tester, Designer
- aubymori: Developer, Beta Tester
- rounak: Developer, Beta Tester
- amrsatrio: Contributor
- tihiy_mozg: Original ex7forw8 developer
- vaporvance, Microsoft: Built-in visual style
DOWNLOAD LINK:
DOWNLOAD LINK:
Join the explorer7 Discord Server to get the latest download: discord.gg/d3yVmW4xgr
Alternatively, the GitHub releases repository can be found here: github.com/Erizur/explorer7-releases/releases/
Alternatively, the GitHub releases repository can be found here: github.com/Erizur/explorer7-releases/releases/
Ill delete my original post
