Microsoft's Windows 10 Search lock already bypassed
Microsoft announced on April 28, 2016 that it implemented a change on Windows 10 that prevents third-party programs from hijacking the operating system's web search functionality.
It took one day to create a solution to revert the change so that web searches on Windows 10 once again open in the default system browser regardless of whether that is Microsoft Edge or another web browser such as Firefox, Chrome or Opera.
Caveat: The method described below works only for the active session and web results are opened in Microsoft Bing currently egardless of whether it is the default search engine or not.
Note: it is highly recommended to create a system backup before you proceed to make sure you can restore the original functionality should the need arise. I use the free Veeam Endpoint Backup for that but there are plenty of other backup programs out there that you can use as well.
Preparations
First thing you may want to do is download the Cortana Search Override archive from the Winaero website. It is based on code created by Valentin Gabriel Radu which the author uploaded to Gitlab.
Download the 27 Megabyte archive and extract its contents to a local directory afterwards.
Before you continue, make sure that the browser you want used for web searches is the default system browser.
- Tap in Windows-I to open the Windows Settings application.
- Switch to System > Default apps, and check the "web browser" listing on the page that opens.
- If your browser is listed already close the window again, if not, click on the name of the browser displayed on the page and use the selection menu that is displayed afterwards to pick the browser you want to use.
Open the folder you extracted the files of the archive to after you are done with the preparations.
- Open the x86 or x64 folder based on whether a 32-bit or 64-bit copy of Windows 10 is installed on the device.
- Run SearchUIMonitor.exe inside the selected folder. A SmartScreen filter warning may be displayed. Click on "more info" and then on "Run anyway" to run the application.
- A window appears for a split-second and is closed automatically afterwards.
- If you get an error message stating that a dll is missing, open the vcredist folder and run the 32-bit or 64-bit executable file in there to add the missing dll to your system. If that is the case, go to step 2 and repeat it.
- Run EdgeAutomation.exe afterwards. You may get another SmartScreen filter prompt. Click on "more info" and "run anway" to execute the program.
- A new window should flash for a second before it is closed automatically as well.
Now it is time to test the implementation. Tap on the Windows-key, type a search term (e.g. test), and select the web search result.
What you will notice is that Edge opens shortly but is closed again. The result is then opened in the default system browser using Bing.
Closing Words
The hack needs work before it becomes really useful. While most users may not mind that Microsoft Edge opens for a moment before results are loaded in the default web browser, the fact that Bing is used to display the results will likely make it a deal breaker for users. (via Deskmodder)
What mental age of reader are you targeting with the first sentence? 10?
Why not write an article on how to *avoid* upgrading from W10 to W11. Analogous to those like me who avoided upgrading from 7 to 10 for as long as possible.
If your paymaster Microsoft permits it, of course.
5. Rufus
6. Ventoy
PS. I hate reading these “SEO optimized” articles.
I used Rufus to create an installer for a 6th gen intel i5 that had MBR. It upgraded using Setup. No issues except for Win 11 always prompting me to replace my local account. Still using Win 10 Pro on all my other PCs to avoid the bullying.
bit pointless to upgrade for the sake of upgrading as you never know when you’ll get locked out because ms might suddenly not provide updates to unsupported systems.
ps…. time travelling?
written. Jan 15, 2023
Updated • Jan 13, 2023
This happens when you schedule a post in WordPress and update it before setting the publication date.
Anyone willing to downgrade to this awful OS must like inflicting themselves with harm.
I have become convinced now that anybody who has no qualms with using Windows 11/10 must fit into one of the following brackets:
1) Too young to remember a time before W10 and W11 (doesn’t know better)
2) Wants to play the latest games on their PC above anything else (or deeply needs some software which already dropped W7 support)
3) Doesn’t know too much about how computers work, worried that they’d be absolutely lost and in trouble without the “”latest security””
4) Microsoft apologist that tries to justify that the latest “features” and “changes” are actually a good thing, that improve Windows
5) Uses their computer to do a bare minimum of like 3 different things, browse web, check emails, etc, so really doesn’t fuss
Obviously that doesn’t cover everyone, there’s also the category that:
6) Actually liked W7 more than 10, and held out as long as possible before switching, begrudgingly uses 10 now
Have I missed any group off this list?
You have missed in this group just about any professional user that uses business software like CAD programs or ERP Programs which are 99% of all professional users from this list.
Linux doesn’t help anyone who is not a linux kid and apple is just a fancy facebook machine.
Microsoft has removed KB5029351 update
only from windows update though
KB5029351 is still available from the ms update catalog site
1. This update is labaled as PREVIEW if it causes issues to unintelligent people, then they shouldn’t have allowed Preview updates ot install.
2. I have installed it in a 11 years old computer, and no problems at all.
3. Making a big drama over a bluescreen for an updated labeled as preview is ridiculous.
This is probably another BS internet drama where people ran programs and scripts that modified the registry until they broke Windows, just for removing stuff that they weren’t even using just for the sake of it.
Maybe people should stop playing geeks and actually either use Windows 10 or Windows 11, but don’t try to modify things just for the sake of it.
Sometimes removing or stopping things (like defender is a perfect example) only need intelligence, not scripts or 3rd party programs that might mess with windows.
Windows 11 was a pointless release, it was just created because some of the Windows team wanted to boost sales with some sort of new and improved Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft cannot support one version well let alone two.
Windows 11 is the worst ugly shame by Microsoft ever. They should release with every new W11 version a complete free version of Starallback inside just to make this sh** OS functionally again.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released a statement regarding the “unsupported processor” blue screen error for their boards using Intel 600/700 series chipsets & to avoid the KB5029351 Win11 update:
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/MSI-On–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–Error-Message-of-Windows-11-Update-KB5029351-Preview-142215
check out the following recent articles:
Neowin – Microsoft puts little blame on its Windows update after UNSUPPORTED PROCESSOR BSOD bug:
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-puts-little-blame-on-its-windows-update-after-unsupported-processor-bsod-bug/
BleepingComputer – Microsoft blames ‘unsupported processor’ blue screens on OEM vendors:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-blames-unsupported-processor-blue-screens-on-oem-vendors/
While there may be changes or updates to the Windows 10 Store for Business and Education in the future, it is premature to conclude that it will be discontinued based solely on rumors.
My advice, I left win 15 years ago. Now I’m a happy linux user (linuxmint) but there is Centos, Fedora, Ubuntu depending on your needs.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released new BIOS/firmware updates for their Intel 600 & 700 series motherboards to fix the “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR” problem (Sept. 6):
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/Updated-BIOS-fixes-Error-Message–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–caused-BSOD-on-MSI-s-Intel-700-and-600-Series-Motherboards-142277
I try to disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service (Connected Devices Platform User Services) but it wont let me disable it, any help will be greatly appreciated.
Tank you for your help