Recover old MS files

[couttsj]

When MS updates a Win 11 system, it deletes MS programs it considers obsolete, including the Desktop Icon. This has caused problems for me twice now, but all is not lost. I am not fond of the latest Word program because of its size and speed, so I have disabled it. But occasionally I get sent a .DOCX file, and the only way I found to read it was NotePad. The latest NotePad is quite useless and has caused problems with VB6.

When Microsoft updates a Win 11 version, it removes the old files to a directory off the root called Windows.old. Operating the Command Prompt in administrative mode, you can recover the files that it deletes, as well as any necessary dependency files.

You must do this relatively soon after the update, because MS will eventually delete those files.

J.A. Coutts

[fafalone]

Windows 11 is a massive downgrade and by many definitions, malware. Early reports are that they've even trashed the Enterprise LTSC version. They've gone all in on the philosophy it's their computer, you'll use it as they please, and you're now required to generate recurring revenue by accepting spam from the os itself.

Updates are disabled on my system because of the breaking things, removing things, turning telemetry back on, and trying to trick or force you into a downgrade to the Windows 11 malware. Other malware hasn't been a problem; firewall and aggressive ad and script blocking and common sense hasn't failed yet; but even if it did, that once in 20 years catastrophic failure is dwarfed by Windows completely failing on its own.

[dz32]

i care less and less about windows and computers every day

i have started bundling old notepad with my apps that shell out to it and keep xp calc on every machine i run. hate the direction almost at the point where updates be damned ready to disable all the crap. i agree windows is practically malware in itself now.

[VanGoghGaming]

Windows 10 has reached max version a couple of years ago, it won't receive any more major upgrades. However it is very much worth updating to this last version 22H2 (build 19045) since it is very stable and has a lot of added features, nothing removed and doesn't break anything. It also doesn't force Windows 11 down your throat, that's just nonsense. It may ask you once if you want it and you can politely decline and you won't see it ever again!

[wqweto]

I’m using Win11 on my main dev machine and don’t miss anything. Have VMs of all OS versions down to Win98 for testing purposes too.

Btw, have Ubuntu in a VM and in WSL so I can start this one from Start->Run by entering “bash” for instance.

[fafalone]

Lots of people have reported updates with similar tactics to the 7-10 ones. I doubt so many people are just making that up.

[VanGoghGaming]

Don't doubt until you tried it yourself. Or maybe you think I'm making stuff up?

[Elroy]

Yeah, I've never had any problems with Windows 11 either (either updating or just installing for a new build).

couttsj, I'm curious about what programs were deleted.

[VanGoghGaming]

Wordpad for one was removed in a recent Windows 11 update.

[Eduardo-]

The issue that I have with Windows 11 is that the explorer crashes after a few days. It seems that it permanently leaks memory until it finally crashes. It have been happening for at least an year and was never fixed (I install automatic updates).
I researched a bit at some point and it seems that it have been happening for a while, maybe with other versions also. I have W11 Pro version 22H2.

The main consequence is that the system tray icons are lost when explorer restarts and not all programs restore their icons.

Aside from that, I didn't experience major issues with W11.

[Eduardo-]

About that folder Windows.old, Windows makes that backup when you reinstall Windows completely, but that doesn't happen with updates.

[VanGoghGaming]

About that folder Windows.old, Windows makes that backup when you reinstall Windows completely, but that doesn't happen with updates.

It does happen with major updates (like from 22H1 to 22H2).

[Eduardo-]

It does happen with major updates (like from 22H1 to 22H2).

Yes, because they are new Windows versions, not simple updates. But Windows asks you if you want to do that (doesn't enforces the upgrade). IIRC it doesn't even ask, but if you go to the Windows Updates sections then there is a label telling that you can do that.

Doing this version upgrade, what I don't remember is if it gives the option to install it over the old Windows installation or forces a completely new installation, even without keeping documents.

I usually want to do a new installation, but of course I know the old programs and documents won't be there.
You have that folder Windows.old where you can rescue whatever you want.
I think if you don't want the folder, you need to delete it manually, Windows won't do it.

[fafalone]

Don't doubt until you tried it yourself. Or maybe you think I'm making stuff up?

It's not that I think you're making stuff up but that your experience may not represent everyone's. Nobody here got that bad update I got that made Windows detect all vb6 exes as legacy installers. But I established beyond doubt the exact KB number causing it, reproducible.

[wqweto]

The issue that I have with Windows 11 is that the explorer crashes after a few days. It seems that it permanently leaks memory until it finally crashes. It have been happening for at least an year and was never fixed (I install automatic updates).

Probably some extension is the culprit for this e.g. some print driver adds right click->Config HP Printers menu in Printers folder.

Anyway, now is the time for you to try some two-pane file managers like XYplorer -- written in VB6, being currently ported to TB.

I've personally been using Altap Salamander for well over 20 years but there are more popular alternatives like Total Commander, Directory Opus, xplorer^2 and even FAR. Just google something like "2 pane file manager windows" to get a fairly complete list.

cheers,
</wqw>

[VanGoghGaming]

You have that folder Windows.old where you can rescue whatever you want.
I think if you don't want the folder, you need to delete it manually, Windows won't do it.

Windows does remove it with the Disk Clean-Up application.

It's not that I think you're making stuff up but that your experience may not represent everyone's. Nobody here got that bad update I got that made Windows detect all vb6 exes as legacy installers. But I established beyond doubt the exact KB number causing it, reproducible.

I vaguely remember what you're describing, all VB6 executables would trigger the UAC prompt, no? Wasn't that like over 15 years ago during the Windows 7 era?

[Eduardo-]

Probably some extension is the culprit for this e.g. some print driver adds right click->Config HP Printers menu in Printers folder.

Anyway, now is the time for you to try some two-pane file managers like XYplorer -- written in VB6, being currently ported to TB.

I've personally been using Altap Salamander for well over 20 years but there are more popular alternatives like Total Commander, Directory Opus, xplorer^2 and even FAR. Just google something like "2 pane file manager windows" to get a fairly complete list.

cheers,
</wqw>

Yes, thank you. I know there are alternatives but never tried one so far, maybe I'll do.

BTW, another annoyance of the Windows 11 explorer (in my installation): when I do something with a file, and then go back to the explorer (for example opening the file by double clicking on it and after that closing the associated program that was opened), it loses the focus. I need to click on the file again to be able to navigate, delete or whatever. It doesn't happen always, but most of the times. Some moments or days it works normally. I have no idea why.

[Eduardo-]

Windows does remove it with the Disk Clean-Up application.

OK, if you want to clean that maybe good, but I guess it will tell you what it is about to remove before doing it (may be it doesn't ). What I said is that it doesn't do it automatically.

[VanGoghGaming]

Yeah it does ask for confirmation that you want to remove the old Windows version. I also recommend Total Commander for an all-purpose file manager.

[Eduardo-]

Yeah it does ask for confirmation that you want to remove the old Windows version. I also recommend Total Commander for an all-purpose file manager.

And in those alternatives the extensions work? I mean the right-click menu with "Add to Winrar archive" or in my case I use Agent Ransack for searching.

[yereverluvinuncleber]

Windows XP = Best 32bit o/s that provides a full featured UI, runs in 256mb, great user experience once classic theme enabled. Can be themed further. You can kill XP explorer and run another shell. Had a dog and a paper clip... and dubious DRM. Regardless, with some tweaking, my choice of o/s if still supported. Bugger...

Windows Vista = Vista means death. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._Windows_Vista

Windows 7 = Best 64bit o/s that can be themed to a limited extent, classic shell remains to be enabled. 64bit and lots of memory, what is not to like? This is the direction that Windows o/s should have gone in my extremely unhumble opinion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...d_in_Windows_7

Windows 8 = PoS - and unsurprisingly, it isn't of any use whatsoever, in Point Of Sale applications. Diehards still love it, there are 25 of them throughout the world. Best avoid but good on Nokia Lumias. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...d_in_Windows_8

Windows 10 - it isn't nine. Lots of rowlocks included in the default delivery, advertising, tiles, spying &c which can be mitigated by Winaero Tweaker and Classic Start and some digging around in the fusebox... As Long as you can avoid the schizo settings app.s and the obsequious corporate lingo on the start up screens. Does not support a lot of legacy app.s that worked in 7. Annoying requirement to log in using MS account can be bypassed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._in_Windows_10

Windows 11 - Same as Win 11. Even more lingo and more requirements - that can be bypassed. Taskbar stuck in position on early versions might still be the case. More annoying poo - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._in_Windows_11

[VanGoghGaming]

And in those alternatives the extensions work? I mean the right-click menu with "Add to Winrar archive" or in my case I use Agent Ransack for searching.

Those are not extensions, they are built-in features! It's hard to match Total Commander's search capabilities.

[Eduardo-]

Those are not extensions, they are built-in features! It's hard to match Total Commander's search capabilities.

Winrar is included as part of Total Commander?

[wqweto]

And in those alternatives the extensions work? I mean the right-click menu with "Add to Winrar archive" or in my case I use Agent Ransack for searching.

Yes, in most of these (Total Command, DOpus, Altap Slamander for sure) any compatible (32 vs 64-bit) registered extensions are supported usually even better that Explorer by spawning a child process to host them so when any of these crash the main process is not taken down with it.

cheers,
</wqw>

[Eduardo-]

Yes, in most of these (Total Command, DOpus, Altap Slamander for sure) any compatible (32 vs 64-bit) registered extensions are supported usually even better that Explorer by spawning a child process to host them so when any of these crash the main process is not taken down with it.

cheers,
</wqw>

Ok, TY.

[VanGoghGaming]

Winrar is included as part of Total Commander?

You can use the external WinRAR through the context menu like wqweto said but it also includes the Unrar64.dll for operations built into the interface, like for example you can treat any archive as a regular folder and add or delete files from it.

[wqweto]

You can use the external WinRAR through the context menu like wqweto said but it also includes the Unrar64.dll for operations built into the interface, like for example you can treat any archive as a regular folder and add or delete files from it.

Yes, this builtin support for instance allows to enter an archive and view any of the files (with F3) without extracting anything beforehand. It just extracts it directly in the builtin viewer.

Btw, basic shortcuts are generally compatible as all of these 2-pane FMs inherit and preserve the legacy of Norton Commander from DOS era. Even for Linux there is Midnight Commander reimplementation which uses the same shortcuts (and looks the same).

Ever wondered why rename in Windows is F2? Yes, Norton Commander.

cheers,
</wqw>

[VanGoghGaming]

Oh yeah, it definitely resembles Norton Commander, it made the switch from DOS to Windows seamlessly. And we used to call the Linux version "Morton" Commander!

[couttsj]

Yeah, I've never had any problems with Windows 11 either (either updating or just installing for a new build).

couttsj, I'm curious about what programs were deleted.

I had a couple of MS offline games (Hearts/FreeCell) that I used occasionally to take a break from programming. After the updates I noticed the desktop icons were blank, so I started searching.

There was a third blank, but I didn't remember what was there. That is because I have my own text editors and the only time I used WordPad was for reading an XML file like DOCX. It wasn't until I received such a file and couldn't read it that I started searching for WordPad.

J.A. Coutts

[dz32]

win 11 also removed the ability to add your own folders to the taskbar as popup menus :-/

[wqweto]

win 11 also removed the ability to add your own folders to the taskbar as popup menus :-/

Yes, this was pretty annoying. I'm currently using https://github.com/Hofknecht/SystemTrayMenu but it's not the same.

cheers,
</wqw>

[dz32]

cool illl check it out thanks

[Elroy]

Ohhh, I just noticed that WordPad is gone. That's a program I use fairly frequently ... anytime I want some fairly simple RTF text. In fact, I had WordPad as my default program for RTF files.

I'll have to see about fixing this ... and yeah, this is rather annoying.

[Elroy]

Hmmm, well, it was pretty easy to get WordPad back, but yeah, annoying that I had to jump through that hoop.

[wqweto]

https://winaero.com/wordpad-for-windows-11/

This article links to https://win7games.com/#wordpad

Setup and wordpad seem to work though using this Win7 rip-off is completely illegal.

cheers,
</wqw>