w4po/ExplorerTabUtility v2.5.0

ExplorerTabUtility v2.5.0

on GitHub

🚀 New Features

• Interactive Installation Option - Added support for interactive installation via Chocolatey and WinGet package managers
  • Users can now choose between silent and interactive installation modes
  • Use --params "/interactive" with Chocolatey to access the interactive installer
  • Use --interactive with WinGet to access the interactive installer

🛠️ Improvements

• Enhanced Explorer Process Monitoring - Improved detection and handling of Explorer.exe termination

  • Better COM object lifecycle management
  • More reliable operation when Explorer crashes or restarts

• Installer Enhancements

  • Switched from ZIP distribution to Inno Setup installer for both Chocolatey and WinGet
  • Added proper .NET runtime selection during installation
  • Improved silent installation flag handling

🐛 Bug Fixes

• Tray Icon Visibility - Fixed issues with system tray icon disappearing after Explorer restarts

  • Implemented proper event notification system for Explorer shell initialization
  • Added workaround for WPF NotifyIcon behavior when Explorer process restarts

• Uninstallation Improvements - Ensured startup registry entries are properly removed during uninstallation

  • Registry cleanup now works regardless of how the application was added to startup
  • More thorough cleanup of application files and settings

🔒 Security & Infrastructure

• Code Signing - Integrated code signing into build and release workflow

  • All executables are now properly signed for enhanced security
  • Improved user trust and Windows SmartScreen handling
  • Free code signing provided by SignPath.io, certificate by SignPath Foundation

• CI/CD Pipeline Updates

  • Updated GitHub Actions workflows for Chocolatey and WinGet publishing
  • Streamlined release process with automated package generation

📋 Installation Instructions

WinGet

winget install w4po.ExplorerTabUtility
# Or for interactive installation:
winget install w4po.ExplorerTabUtility --interactive

Chocolatey

choco install explorertabutility
# Or for interactive installation:
choco install explorertabutility --params "/interactive"

💖 Support the Project

If you find Explorer Tab Utility helpful, consider supporting its development:

❤️ Special Thanks

• A heartfelt thank you to our amazing sponsors who make this project possible:

  • @blakeNaccarato
  • @Creedzzz
  • @chbau
  • @ramarivera
  • Dominik Świąder

• Thanks to everyone who reported bugs and issues:

  • All users who took the time to test and provide feedback

Note: If you are not sure, then you probably want ExplorerTabUtility_v2.5.0_Setup.exe.