Critical Issue with Windows Installed using MicroWin ISO

[runninghamster0]

Describe the bug I've created an ISO using MicroWin using the latest available Windows 11 23H2 ISO. I unchecked all the checkboxes, meaning I chose to remove MS Edge, Defender, .appx packages and provisioned packages.

The ISO is created and installed successfully with no issues (see log.txt).

After installation and OOBE setup, opening the file explorer and trying to navigate to any directory such as Downloads, Documents, or even the C: drive causes the file explorer to show a blank screen and freeze, becoming unresponsive.

Attempting to close the file explorer causes the explorer.exe process to crash and restart, leaving the issue as is.

To Reproduce Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Install Windows 11 using the modified ISO
2. After installation, open the file explorer
3. Find that file explorer is non-functional and becomes unresponsive.

Expected behavior File explorer works as expected

Screenshots No useful screenshots, file explorer simply shows a blank screen when clicking on any directory and the mouse turns into the spinning circle icon.

Additional context I don't think the issue is from my side as I have tried creating the ISO from scratch twice and installing it two separate times.

I did leave the system to update completely through Windows Update to see if that would fix anything, but it did not.

Strangely the file picker still functions normally (picking a file to upload via Chrome for example) and I was able to navigate to the ChromeSetup.exe via PowerShell to install Chrome and test this.

log.txt

[stuckydev]

This issue was already there on his livestream - but somehow decided to roll out with it included? I dont get it.

[kelvinkad]

Exactly same thing happened to me. I had to clean install windows again with normal iso.

[Cookiaria]

Same thing here, I had to install audio and video drivers with command prompt from my usb drive because explorer just wouldn't work, but somehow it fixed itself after the drivers installed, explorer works perfectly fine now

Now another issue that might be related to this is with some programs, they take a very VERY long time to install, most notably the epic games launcher. I don't know if I am the only one with this is problem or if its even related to this, but I had to stare at the epic games launcher installer for about 30 minutes with little to no progress being made

[NinthJake]

Same issue for me even though I kept Edge and Defender, so using all stock settings. Not sure if the issue is only with Windows 11 23H2 but that ISO seems generally borked since it also ships with an incomplete version of winget which also causes issues with Winutil. You have to update "App installer" through the microsoft Store before you can use Winutil.

[Zwero1]

I have this issue on Win 11 22H2 and 23H2, haven't tested Win 10 yet.

[gpodder770]

You can fix this issue by running the tool from terminal and reapplying tweaks

i made with checks except edge and still same

once I re applied tweaks security center came and issue got fixed

Most probably using old version of tweaks If I remember this used to happen on one update where the same thing file manager would get stuck, later it got fixed

[Rafi1018]

You can fix this issue by running the tool from terminal and reapplying tweaks

i made with checks except edge and still same

once I re applied tweaks security center came and issue got fixed

Most probably using old version of tweaks If I remember this used to happen on one update where the same thing file manager would get stuck, later it got fixed

So need to apply the tweaks & again apply the tweaks on the modified ISO ?

[gpodder770]

You can fix this issue by running the tool from terminal and reapplying tweaks i made with checks except edge and still same once I re applied tweaks security center came and issue got fixed Most probably using old version of tweaks If I remember this used to happen on one update where the same thing file manager would get stuck, later it got fixed

So need to apply the tweaks & again apply the tweaks on the modified ISO ?

no no I meant if u made iso and has the problem then u have to rerun the tool on the new iso and reapply tweaks which fixes the problem

[kelvinkad]

You can fix this issue by running the tool from terminal and reapplying tweaks

i made with checks except edge and still same

once I re applied tweaks security center came and issue got fixed

Most probably using old version of tweaks If I remember this used to happen on one update where the same thing file manager would get stuck, later it got fixed

By "reapplying tweaks", you mean christitus tool?

[PowerCoder]

I can confirm that as soon as I ran the tool, went to the Tweaks page and asked it to Get Current, nothing was checked or set. As soon as I chose a profile (Desktop in my case) and let it run, then rebooted, the Explorer worked fine again.

Trying to remove OneDrive resulted in a black screen though. Is it already uninstalled in the MicroWin image?

[KonTy]

Could you try this new version of Microwin

This PR includes:

1. Fix for explorer crash/hang. (I can't verify since I can't repro this)
2. Wifi fix for laptops
3. First attempt at pure white theme (by popular demand)
4. Some other bug fixes for Microwin

Issues: #1276, #1272

iwr -useb https://raw.githubusercontent.com/KonTy/winutil/test-2023-11-30/winutil.ps1 | iex

[runninghamster0]

Could you try this new version of Microwin

This PR includes:

1. Fix for explorer crash/hang. (I can't verify since I can't repro this)
2. Wifi fix for laptops
3. First attempt at pure white theme (by popular demand)
4. Some other bug fixes for Microwin

Issues: #1276, #1272

iwr -useb https://raw.githubusercontent.com/KonTy/winutil/test-2023-11-30/winutil.ps1 | iex

Hi KonTy, I used your version of winutil to create the ISO and happy to report, no issues with explorer or other.

I was able to successfully install my drivers and Windows Update and Store updated everything with no issues.

I will keep using this install and see how everything holds up.

Thank you!

[dreamsyntax]

Just additionally adding I ran into the exact issue. Using terminal to install unrelated drivers somehow fixed it

[kelvinkad]

is there anyway to apply this MicroWin to an already installed windows?

[KonTy]

@kelvinkad you can't do everything that Microwin does since windows locks things down and some things you can't remove in already running system, but if you run Desktop or Laptop Tweaks you will get a lot of the things you are looking for.

[dotfrag]

Hi @KonTy, I tried to use your link but it no longer exists. Then I checked the changelog and it seems that it has been merged to main (d02146be0eeee46468cab97b97844221babca8fe). I made another image using the current version just now and this issue still exists. I'm using the image Win11_23H2_EnglishInternational_x64 (Pro).

[ChrisTitusTech]

This is likely due to service tweaks. Specifically the modification of Event Viewer from Automatic. I'll get this changed in the next update.

[KonTy]

@dotfrag could you please try this new version

iwr -useb https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil/main/winutil.ps1 | iex

[dotfrag]

Hi @KonTy, I no longer have access to a machine I can use but I'm trying a VM.

Same ISO I used before with the same microwin settings (defaults).

After going through the setup wizard, upon first restart, the "Almost there.." screen with the animating blue gradient background took forever. I do not know if it the VM or the ISO image itself is to blame. **

After 30 mins or so, the explorer window popped up on its own. Without clicking anything within it, I closed the window, and then I had a black screen with a cursor.

Then I restarted the VM from VMware Player controls and Windows has started fine and explorer works.

---

** I have installed VMware tools into the guest machine and the performance went from sluggish to near-native. I'm guessing the issues were VM related. I also have no network which is likely due to missing drivers?

[D8niel007]

Please Help i Have Meccer android tablet 10 i choose linux in Bios as boot option , and booooom my Tablet screen wont switch on only power button iv tred holding power and volums nothing works plssss help . https://mecer.co.za/mecer-windows-2-in-1-tablet-dp10g/

[Rohamgames]

Tested on 23H2 jan update on baremetal and it takes forever on the dark bluish page where it says "Still wokring on few things. Almost there". After a long wait it just poped explorer and it was functional but could not do anything not even TaskManager was there. Used ctrl-alt+del and restarted the system Logged in just fine and dispalys 104-105 processes

Used official iso from Microsoft and checked all the boxes on iso creation (Provisional, Appx, Edge, Defender) Not sure what the problem was but windows seems to be functional for now Wonder if Windows Update works or not

[KonTy]

please reply back when you find out more. btw which version of Winutil did you use?

[dotfrag]

This sounds very similar to what I experienced when I used the version at the time of the previous comment https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/winutil/issues/1250#issuecomment-1892646412. In that case, using a VM wasn't the issue - I'm happy to help test another version if you want @KonTy .

[KonTy]

hey @dotfrag it does sound like that issue, I wonder if he is using an old verion this has been fixed for some itme.

[dotfrag]

hey @dotfrag it does sound like that issue, I wonder if he is using an old verion this has been fixed for some itme.

I am currently testing the latest version and the issue still persists. This screen is taking a long time.

EDIT: After that screen is gone, explorer pops up. Then if I close it, nothing else works (black screen) and if you wait for 2-3 minutes, explorer starts and everything is functional.

[KonTy]

@dotfrag thank you for your help!!! Have you tried to just letting it go for like 30min do not close anything just let it run? See what happens? I'm not sure why it is so random like it works for some people and it doesn't for others.

Just to clarify you are using latest winutil and 23H2 image right?

[dotfrag]

@dotfrag thank you for your help!!! Have you tried to just letting it go for like 30min do not close anything just let it run? See what happens? I'm not sure why it is so random like it works for some people and it doesn't for others.

1. The blue gradient loading screen (posted above) takes a good amount of time.
2. Then I get this for several minutes (don't know how long exactly sorry):
3. Then it comes to its senses and is fully functional:

Just to clarify you are using latest winutil and 23H2 image right?

Yes, I'm using Win11_23H2_EnglishInternational_x64. I would think so, is this considered the latest?

irm https://christitus.com/win | iex

[theriverlethe]

@dotfrag thank you for your help!!! Have you tried to just letting it go for like 30min do not close anything just let it run? See what happens? I'm not sure why it is so random like it works for some people and it doesn't for others.

1. The blue gradient loading screen (posted above) takes a good amount of time.

2. Then I get this for several minutes (don't know how long exactly sorry):
   ![vmplayer_20240129094753](https://private-user-images.githubusercontent.com/17456867/300373169-24141b22-5e96-4090-a9da-41143d0ed1e2.png?jwt=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.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.eipnWSADfo8IWxHthfZBHK-HydbKKns28CTGdf29ixg)

3. Then it comes to its senses and is fully functional:
   ![vmplayer_20240129094926](https://private-user-images.githubusercontent.com/17456867/300373520-fe419fd9-fbb8-4b13-8ad6-4f49437d3b64.png?jwt=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.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.Sn1ceYC8-mAGtZwKscPZWCfbcHV_QAYOkyHo_EuFspU)

Just to clarify you are using latest winutil and 23H2 image right?

Yes, I'm using Win11_23H2_EnglishInternational_x64. I would think so, is this considered the latest?

irm https://christitus.com/win | iex

I got the same behavior but I wouldn't say it was fully functional after waiting over 30 minutes. Taskmgr, device manager etc. would not open with something like a "service busy" error. After rebooting, things seemed relatively normal but winget was broken in different ways on two successive installs and I had to manually reinstall it through chocolatey. I'm pretty sure winget is supposed to be working at this point because winutil relies so heavily on it.

[github-actions[bot]]

Closed due to inactivity

[shawnmbrooks85]

How can I use MicroWin but keep UWP Apps like Calculator, Microsoft Photo's?

[KonTy]

@shawnmbrooks85 When you are making your image you could tick these check boxes. But would I recommend is installing the tools you need manually, because it also removes other bloat that you might not want. You can you winget to install the apps you need.

Keep Provisioned packages and Keep Appx Packages

[JaiGupta13]

I'm having this same issue with the latest 23h2 ISO and latest utility script. Black screen with nothing but an explorer window. Eventually it goes back to normal but still occasionally has the issue on a reboot. Happy to help with any debug logs.