MSFN Forums > Patched EXPLORER.EXE files

no1none

Nov 1 2007, 09:05 PM

Yesterday I was looking for an old thread with patched explorer and I couldn't find it (search on this forum sucks, really).
I had to go home to find the patched file... so, with this still fresh on my mind, I decided to open new thread with nothing else but explorer files.

Since Microsoft patched explorer executables himself in versions from Windows ME upward (with exception of W2K) to display 256+color icons, this thread should be for Windoze 95/95A/95B/95C/98/98SE/NT4/2000 explorer files only.

Anyone please contribute if you have anything else to add.
Lets post here the original (unpatched) and modified (patched) files.
Please state the full version numbers of files, and what has been done to the patched ones.

useful links:

XVI32 excellent hex editor by Christian Maas

Dr.Hoiby's page with some patched explorers

* * * * *

For those wondering what is it about, here is nice comparison of how the windows explorer handles icons with 256 or more colors:

original microsoft's windows explorer:
(any Windows95/98/NT/2000)

using patched windows explorer:
(any Windows95/98/NT/2000)

TEST IT YOURSELF WITH

TrayTester by Dr.Hoiby

no1none

Nov 1 2007, 09:09 PM

Windows NT4
patched explorer.exe version 4.00 (4.0.1381.282) EN-US

no1none

Nov 1 2007, 09:12 PM

Windows NT4
patched explorer.exe version 4.72 (4.72.3612.1700) EN-US

offset 5750
changed 01 to 11

no1none

Nov 1 2007, 09:14 PM

Windows NT4
original explorer.exe version 4.72 (4.72.3612.1700) EN-US [unpatched]

no1none

Nov 1 2007, 09:22 PM

Windows 95
patched explorer.exe version 4.00 (4.00.950) EN-US

offsets:
0C496
0E6CF
1E86F
all changed 01 to 11

no1none

Nov 1 2007, 09:34 PM

Windows 98 SE
patched explorer.exe version 4.72 ( 4.72.3110.1) EN-US

Offsets
4B6B
B4D2
changed 01 to 11
(not mine - patched by drhoiby)

Targaff

Nov 3 2007, 07:20 AM

I provided an edited W2K explorer.exe for Gurgelmeyer's USP5 since it hadn't been done before, but I don't have it any more. The instructions are in the main thread there, though.

erpdude8

Nov 24 2007, 10:28 AM

QUOTE (no1none @ Nov 1 2007, 10:22 PM)

Windows 95
patched explorer.exe version 4.00 (4.00.950) EN-US

offsets:
0C496
0E6CF
1E86F
all changed 01 to 11

I'm in the process of requesting Q172648 explorer.exe version 4.00.952 hotfix for Win95 (if it's still available). After I get it, I'll have to patch it up to implement the 256+ colors fix.

QUOTE

Since Microsoft patched explorer executables himself in versions from Windows ME upward (with exception of W2K) to display 256+color icons, this thread should be for Windoze 95/95A/95B/95C/98/98SE/NT4/2000 explorer files only.

Microsoft only partially fixed the problem in WinME for Color Depths of 16-bit high color [65536 colors] and 32-bit real color modes, but NOT for 24-bit true color mode. If a video card (such as Intel 810/815 graphics chips) support up to 24bit color mode and you use 24bit color mode in WinME, the 256+ color trayicon test will FAIL and will display a FEW colors.
If you switch it from 24bit color to 16bit color mode in WinME and run the 256+ color test, it will display the colors correctly.
I've done numerous test on this on a WinME machine to prove my point. Dr. Hoiby is only HALF right on his assessment and did not test the problem thoroughly enough on Windows ME computers with different video cards.

It is in Windows XP that Microsoft completely fixed the 256+ colors trayicons problem for ALL color depths (16bit, 24bit, 32bit & higher)

marxo

Nov 24 2007, 07:03 PM

Exactly the problem I have on i810 igc here. It supports 24-bit palette maximum and the tray icons are awful. These i810 are the ones to blame they should be rewritten as they are so poorly written really.

Kelsenellenelvian

Nov 24 2007, 07:11 PM

Windows 2000 SP5 edition patched v5.0.3900.6920

ChrisKuhli

Nov 24 2007, 09:13 PM

QUOTE (Kelsenellenelvian @ Nov 25 2007, 02:11 AM)

Windows 2000 SP5 edition patched

I need to know the differences between the shipped file from MS and what is needed to do - language indepndent!

no1none

Dec 13 2007, 08:28 PM

QUOTE (Kelsenellenelvian @ Nov 24 2007, 08:11 PM)

Windows 2000 SP5 edition patched

Windows 2000 SP5 ?

Can you modify your post and add the attached explorer's version info as well? thx

QUOTE (erpdude8 @ Nov 24 2007, 11:28 AM)

QUOTE (no1none @ Nov 1 2007, 10:22 PM)

Windows 95
patched explorer.exe version 4.00 (4.00.950) EN-US

offsets:
0C496
0E6CF
1E86F
all changed 01 to 11

I'm in the process of requesting Q172648 explorer.exe version 4.00.952 hotfix for Win95 (if it's still available). After I get it, I'll have to patch it up to implement the 256+ colors fix.

QUOTE

Since Microsoft patched explorer executables himself in versions from Windows ME upward (with exception of W2K) to display 256+color icons, this thread should be for Windoze 95/95A/95B/95C/98/98SE/NT4/2000 explorer files only.

Microsoft only partially fixed the problem in WinME for Color Depths of 16-bit high color [65536 colors] and 32-bit real color modes, but NOT for 24-bit true color mode. If a video card (such as Intel 810/815 graphics chips) support up to 24bit color mode and you use 24bit color mode in WinME, the 256+ color trayicon test will FAIL and will display a FEW colors.
If you switch it from 24bit color to 16bit color mode in WinME and run the 256+ color test, it will display the colors correctly.
I've done numerous test on this on a WinME machine to prove my point. Dr. Hoiby is only HALF right on his assessment and did not test the problem thoroughly enough on Windows ME computers with different video cards.

It is in Windows XP that Microsoft completely fixed the 256+ colors trayicons problem for ALL color depths (16bit, 24bit, 32bit & higher)

I have no experience with WinME beside that I bought it when it came out, found out its garbage, and haven't ever used it myself

I am sure I have explorer 4.00.952 and that hotfix.
If you won't find it let me know, but I'd prefer you don't

(I'd have to search for it on my old uncatalogged discs... <shrugs> )

marxo

Dec 13 2007, 08:30 PM

Unofficial Service Pack 5 for Windows 2000...

Kelsenellenelvian

Dec 13 2007, 09:12 PM

5.0.3900.6920 is the SP5 version of explorer. I have no clue what the offset is...

Here is the original so you can figure out the offset is.

Targaff

Dec 15 2007, 04:04 PM

Linkypoos.

I was the one who tracked down the offsets for this version, so if they're wrong it's my fault

The original's buried in one of the USP5 threads somewhere.

Kelsenellenelvian

Dec 15 2007, 08:33 PM

QUOTE

For 256-colour tray icons, change the following in explorer.exe (version 5.0.3900.6920, file size 242,448 bytes, located in main Windows directory):

at x618E, change 01 to 11
at x12235, change 01 to 11
at x12246, change 01 to 11

For those too lazy to click a link. Thanks Targaff for finding it.

D__S

Jan 29 2008, 09:39 PM

Anyone is going to post explorer for 1st Windows 98 (4.10.1998)?

Eddie2003

Apr 1 2008, 01:09 PM

What is to do on german windows nt 4.0 (explorer 4.0.1381.282)?

D__S

May 22 2008, 06:50 AM

I got a problem, maybe somebody can help?

according to dr.hoiby's site:
Win 95B / explorer 4.72.3612.1700
should patch offset 3895: 00->11

However it is NOT correct, win doesnt load such patched explorer

I attached original unpatched and patched copies, I would appreciate if somebody could have look at either what wrong I did when patching it, or just patch the original for me.