ExplorerPatcher on Windows 11 24H2: Overcoming the Upgrade Block & Customization Challenges

With the Windows 11 24H2 update, Microsoft has taken a firmer stance on system integrity, especially toward third-party customization utilities that modify core visual or behavioral aspects of the operating system. One such casualty of Microsoft's increasing lockdown has been ExplorerPatcher—a community-favorite tool for users who wish to regain granular control over the Windows interface. This tool has often been critical for those seeking to disable aesthetic elements such as rounded corners, revert the taskbar to a legacy style, or gain deeper customization than the stock OS provides. However, with the June 2024 rollout and subsequent enforcement of software upgrade blocks, many wondered whether the open-source tinkering culture would survive the next wave of Windows hardening. ExplorerPatcher’s latest release answers that challenge—and not just in a minor way.

ExplorerPatcher’s Significance in the Windows Ecosystem​

At the heart of Windows’ success has always been its adaptability. The vibrant third-party software scene, particularly those offering user interface tweaks, lets power users mold their desktop environment to personal and sometimes business-critical preferences. ExplorerPatcher stands out for its broad feature set, including:

• Reverting the Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar to a Windows 10 look and feel.
• Disabling or customizing the rounded corner aesthetic now central to Windows 11.
• Implementing advanced window management features, like the Simple Window Switcher (SWS), which some users favor over Microsoft’s “Alt-Tab” app switcher.

But with innovation comes friction. As Microsoft’s updates have become increasingly security-focused, the company started introducing compatibility or “safeguard holds”—mechanisms intended to block the Windows 11 24H2 upgrade on systems running certain customization tools. This was initially communicated to Insider testers in April 2024 and, worryingly, the upgrade block persisted into general availability despite promises of gradual removal.

Breaking Through the 24H2 Block: How ExplorerPatcher Does It​

The latest ExplorerPatcher update, version 22631.5335.68, tackles three central problems facing its user base in light of Microsoft’s new restrictions. Most notably:

• Bypassing the Upgrade Block:
  One of Microsoft’s primary technical enforcements was to identify and block systems running non-standard Desktop Window Manager (DWM) processes—specifically those flagged by the ep_dwm.exe signature (used by ExplorerPatcher for certain tweaks). The update circumvents this by renaming the process to ep_dwm_svc.exe. According to the developer’s release notes, this seemingly minor alteration is enough to evade the detection logic used in the 24H2 upgrade safeguard mechanism. This approach, though clever, raises important questions about the long-term cat-and-mouse game between power users and Microsoft’s security measures—especially since it highlights how easily signature-based blocks can be sidestepped should developers remain vigilant.
• Robust Bugfixes for 24H2 Compatibility:
  Two major bugs were addressed:
• Rounded Corner Disabling: With Windows 11, rounded corners became a design staple. For users who prefer sharper window edges, ExplorerPatcher offered a toggle—yet in early 24H2 builds, this feature was auto-disabled, reverting to default upon detection of the new version and leaving users stuck with the rounder look. The June 2024 update restores functional control, enabling users to opt out of this hallmark visual element even on the latest release.
• Simple Window Switcher (SWS) Lag Fixes: SWS acts as an alternative to the bundled app switcher. While present in previous builds, 24H2 users reported severe lag, infinite switching loops, and high CPU usage. After detailed user reports (notably from “03juan” on community forums), the developer pinpointed problematic code paths and refactored the feature. Early adopter comments now suggest a return to smooth operation, though further real-world feedback will determine the fix’s robustness.
• Extended Taskbar and Localization Enhancements:
  The update also brings:
• Fixes for taskbar resizing, global hotkey misfires, and Win+X menu issues on ARM64 devices (notorious for causing Explorer crashes if Windows Terminal was not present).
• Additional language support and accessibility improvements, accommodating a much broader international audience. New translations—ranging from Czech and Spanish to Indonesian and Korean—make custom Windows layouts more accessible globally.
• Enhanced memory management and registration routines—ensuring modules fully unregister on uninstall, even if not running at the time (minimizing ghost processes and side effects).

Technical Change Highlights—Full Changelog Synopsis​

A glance at the official changelog underscores ExplorerPatcher’s evolution in step with Microsoft’s platform changes. Key entries include:

• ep_dwm.exe renamed to ep_dwm_svc.exe for compatibility.
• The “disable rounded corner” option is now fully supported on 24H2.
• Refined SWS behavior, eradicating high CPU, infinite loops, and major lag issues.
• Start and taskbar bug fixes for both x86-64 and ARM64 builds.
• Improved diagnostic feedback—error messages now show actual code line numbers, streamlining troubleshooting.
• Numerous translation and UI indicator upgrades.
• A wide array of memory leak fixes, particularly relating to the new taskbar functionality in the latest Insider builds.

These technical improvements work together to ensure that ExplorerPatcher remains a viable staple in the Windows customization scene, even as Microsoft endeavors to “harden” Windows against non-official tweaks.

The Security Perspective: Windows Defender Warnings and User Risk​

The update, while celebrated, is not without significant warnings. Microsoft Defender—the built-in antivirus for millions of Windows installations—still flags ExplorerPatcher (and its components) as a potential threat. This is unsurprising, given Defender’s heuristic and signature-based detection practices, which tend to flag apps that alter core system behavior or introduce unsigned executables into protected OS directories. The ExplorerPatcher author provides PowerShell commands for users to manually exclude EP’s folders from Defender scans:

Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Program Files\ExplorerPatcher"
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "$env:APPDATA\ExplorerPatcher"
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Windows\dxgi.dll"
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy"
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\Windows\SystemApps\ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy"

But this advice comes with a crucial caveat: Users must balance convenience against security. The same exclusion mechanisms that stop Defender from nagging about ExplorerPatcher might also suppress warnings about genuinely malicious software—including advanced threats like the Lumma Stealer malware, which, according to recent security reports, has compromised nearly 400,000 systems worldwide. Manual exclusions can, in effect, create a security blind spot that sophisticated attackers may exploit.

Critical Analysis: Is Bypassing Upgrade Blocks Wise?​

While the technical brilliance behind ExplorerPatcher’s workaround deserves recognition, it introduces deeper systemic risks:

• Erosion of Secure-By-Default Principles:
  Microsoft’s safeguards—however blunt—are designed to protect users (especially in enterprise or less tech-savvy environments) from instability, untested code paths, or outright malware. Circumventing these with file renaming tricks might be harmless in ExplorerPatcher’s case, but the approach sets a precedent that could encourage riskier software to employ similar evasion tactics, undermining trust in the upgrade process and leaving endpoints exposed.
• Long-Term Cat-and-Mouse Game:
  Steps like the renaming of executables are unlikely to be a silver bullet for long. Should Microsoft move to behavior-based or code-signing validation mechanisms, developers would face much taller hurdles. This escalatory cycle might exhaust smaller open-source projects’ resources, while industrial-scale malware authors exploit loopholes with greater sophistication.
• End-User Confusion and Update Friction:
  Non-technical users may find themselves stuck between a desire for customization and intimidating security warnings. This is compounded by the need to manually edit antivirus exclusions, potentially exposing them to unrelated threats. Moreover, since Microsoft’s compatibility blocks persist across multiple update channels (including Insider testing, Release Preview, and even some production rings), the window for “undetected” customization is shrinking.

Community Response and Real-World Outcomes​

From initial user discussions on forums and social media, the mood is a mix of gratitude and caution. Power users welcome the return of “sharp corners” and bespoke window switchers, reporting significant usability improvements—especially those unwilling to adopt Windows 11’s radical visual overhaul wholesale. However, several users have raised concerns about the Defender warnings, with some opting to uninstall ExplorerPatcher until a more “official” fix or Microsoft-blessed workaround is available.
Notably, user “03juan” documented post-patch ExplorerPatcher performance improvements but still noted minor inconsistencies in SWS behavior during rapid task switching. While these edge-case reports are increasingly rare with the latest builds, they highlight the challenge of supporting a rapidly evolving OS with countless configuration permutations.

The Broader Ecosystem: Why Customization Tools Matter​

ExplorerPatcher’s existence—and Microsoft’s response—raises broader questions about user agency in modern operating systems. Many users argue that the appeal of Windows over locked-down alternatives like macOS or ChromeOS lies in its flexibility and “hackability.” Tools like ExplorerPatcher, StartAllBack, and others have long filled the gap between Microsoft’s evolving vision and user demand for legacy workflows.
The tension is especially acute for segments such as system administrators, accessibility advocates, and power users. Custom taskbars, window managers, and visual tweaks are not mere vanity—they can represent accessibility lifelines or productivity enhancements in specialized environments.

SEO-Optimized Insights: Windows 11 24H2 Customization and Upgrade Challenges​

For those specifically searching for terms like “ExplorerPatcher Windows 11 24H2 fix,” “bypass upgrade block Windows 11 customization,” or “disable rounded corners Windows 11,” the latest update provides a viable, if not risk-free, path forward. The technical method—renaming the critical DWM process and improving compatibility with 24H2—ensures that power users can keep their personalized setups, at least for now, without being forcibly defaulted into the latest OS UI paradigms.

How to Safely Use ExplorerPatcher on Windows 11 24H2​

If, after weighing the risks, you choose to continue with ExplorerPatcher on Windows 11 24H2:

• Backup First: Always create a System Restore point and, if possible, an image backup before installing or updating any tool that modifies system UI processes or core files.
• Download Only from Trusted Sources: Use only official releases from ExplorerPatcher’s verified GitHub repository. Avoid third-party mirrors or sites that may host tampered versions.
• Monitor Antivirus Exclusions: Carefully consider which exclusion paths are necessary and periodically review them. Remove exclusions if you ever stop using ExplorerPatcher.
• Participate in Feedback: The developer and community are highly responsive to bug reports. If you experience problems (especially on newer Insider or ARM builds), contribute detailed reports to help improve future releases.
• Be Prepared for Future Change: As Microsoft tightens update mechanisms, even today’s solutions may fail tomorrow. Remain vigilant and stay informed about both ExplorerPatcher and the broader Windows update roadmap.

Looking Ahead: The Future of UI Customization on Windows​

The ongoing push-pull between open customization tools and Microsoft’s security model shows no sign of abating. Each side frames the debate differently:

• User Empowerment: Advocates argue for free reign over their desktop experience, pointing to decades of third-party innovation as a net positive for the Windows ecosystem.
• Platform Integrity: Microsoft, on the other hand, prioritizes a stable, secure environment—especially as Windows becomes ever-more intertwined with cloud services and enterprise deployments where uniformity is key.

For now, ExplorerPatcher’s latest update ensures at least temporary parity between user demand and system evolution. For enthusiasts, tweakers, and anyone unwilling to part with a familiar interface, it remains an essential—if somewhat subversive—tool. How long this status quo can last depends on future moves from both sides. As always, those operating on the frontier of Windows customization must do so with eyes open: to both the power and the perils of breaking through the next upgrade block.

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By providing a timely and in-depth look at this crucial transition point for ExplorerPatcher users, this feature aims to empower the Windows community to make informed choices—balancing the thrill of customization against the responsibilities of digital security and upgrade hygiene. With each release and update, both Microsoft and its most devoted power users redefine what it means to truly own your desktop.

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Source: Neowin ExplorerPatcher fix bypasses Windows 11 24H2 upgrade block, and squashes two major bugs