## File: README.md

# ExplorerPatcher

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows.

## How to?

1. Download the latest setup program from the [Releases page](https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases/latest).
   * Choose `ep_setup.exe` if your device uses an Intel or AMD processor, or `ep_setup_arm64.exe` if your device uses a Snapdragon processor.
2. Run the installer. It will automatically prompt for elevation, after which it will close `explorer.exe` and install the necessary files. When done, you will see the desktop again and the Windows 10 taskbar.
3. Right-click the taskbar and choose "Properties".
4. To change the taskbar style, go to the "Taskbar" section and look for "Taskbar style".
5. To use the Windows 10 Start menu, go to the "Start menu" section and change the Start menu style to Windows 10.
6. To use the Windows 10 Alt+Tab, go to the "Window switcher" section and change the "Window switcher (Alt+Tab) style" to Windows 10.
7. Feel free to check other configuration options.

That's it!

**Note:** Some features may be unavailable on some Windows versions.

## Uninstalling

* Right-click the taskbar then click "Properties" or search for "ExplorerPatcher", and go to "Uninstall" section or
* Use "Programs and Features" in Control Panel, or "Apps and features" in the Settings app or
* Run `ep_setup.exe /uninstall` or
* Rename `ep_setup.exe` to `ep_uninstall.exe` and run that.

## Updating

* The program features built-in updates: go to "Properties" - "Updates" to configure, check for and install the latest updates. Learn more [here](https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki/Configure-updates).
* Download the latest version's [setup file for x64](https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases/latest/download/ep_setup.exe) or [setup file for ARM64](https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases/latest/download/ep_setup_arm64.exe) and simply run it.

## Donate

If you find this project essential to your daily life, please consider donating to support the development through the [Sponsor](https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher?sponsor) button at the top of this page, so that we can continue to keep supporting newer Windows builds.

## Discord Server

Join our Discord server if you need support, want to chat regarding this project, or just want to hang out with us!

[](https://discord.gg/gsPcfqHTD2)

[Read more](https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/wiki)

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## File: ep_extra/README.md

# ExplorerPatcher Custom Libraries Chainloader

ExplorerPatcher has a simple, built-in mechanism that allows users to load their own DLL into `explorer.exe` right after ExplorerPatcher finishes initializing its hooks. Interested users should place a DLL called `ep_extra.dll` in `C:\Windows`. When ExplorerPatcher finishes its setup, it loads the `ep_extra.dll` library and calls the `ep_extra_EntryPoint` function. Although this is very useful so that users can load their custom code, it is quite limited at the moment, as it loads just one DLL.

This project is a solution to this issue. A chainloader is implemented here, that looks for other modules matching the `ep_extra_*.dll` pattern in `C:\Windows` as well, and loads them one after the other.

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## File: ep_extra_valinet.win7alttab/README.md

# ExplorerPatcher Windows 7 Alt-Tab Module

This module patches the Windows 7 genuine Alt-Tab implementation to work on newer Windows versions.

To install, make sure you have the following files in `C:\Windows`:

* `ep_extra_valinet.win7alttab.dll` - this DLL
* `ep_extra.dll` - a chainloader capable of being invoked by ExplorerPatcher (implements `ep_extra_EntryPoint` and which loads other `ep_extra_*.dll` modules
* `AltTab.dll` - a copy of the `AltTab.dll` in `C:\Windows\System32` from a Windows 7 installation