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No Registry cleaner used, I haven't use on of them for years now. It's almost impossible to "test" all possibilities in a O/S image file. Apparently, there was the problem that I obviously wasn't aware of. It's not as there weren't portable programs on the list. You did mention something I've never heard of discussed. 'Spaces' in the names of program exe's. I've noticed numerous times, but not all, that some companies/writers/programmers will add punctuation marks between words in the exe. Never had a known issue with spaces. You are suggesting to 'add' the name of the exe as it appears in the program file to that Registry entry?

Here's where I would go next "if it were me". The pop-up box contains a list of programs that are PROPERLY embedded within the OS Registry. Scan that list for something that should be "rare" within the OS Registry, search for THAT PROGRAM in the OS Registry. You should be able to find WHAT populates that pop-up list. Now you know WHERE to ADD your preferred pdf file "handler". edit - I kind of have to assume that you have a PATH issue, you are associating pdf files with an EXE (with spaces in the name!) but nowhere is the PATH (also containing spaces!) to that EXE being defined. SPACES have a way of "breaking" things if not properly accomodated for. Why "all of this" is just now hitting your setup is definitly a mystery. My assumption is a "registry cleaner" was used, but that is just an assumption.

There *MUST* be something different between the two OS Registries (not to state the obvious, as I'm sure you already know this). Many associations are much more complicated than "OpenWithList". I guess all I can suggest at this point is to search for any-and-all pdf ocurrences in that 2nd W7 Pro's registry and compare to the computer where you are having the issues. There's (obviously) something different between the two and it basically "has to be" at the registry-level. ps - I can't help but "laugh" when BACKUPS contain issues that the backup was resorted to in order to FIX the non-backup. not laughing "at you", laughing because this happens at work *ALL THE TIME*, "backups" are never TESTED and when they go to get USED, the department finds them to be *USELESS*.

I realize Portable programs won't and CAN'T automatically have associaton w/o manually setting them. I've done that for a decade or more, no big deal. What I did just tried, I have a 2nd W7 Pro O/S as a backup (I've run a 2ndbackup drive for some time now, just in case). I went to that drive (I'm using it now) and tried the same test. At the time nothing was assigned in that drive for .pdf files, I went thru the process and presto, it worked as it should. No errors or non reaction. And this is using the exact same program, portable in the exact same backup partition that my main drive (O/S uses, the ONLY difference it's another W7 Pro x64 install. I find it hard to believe I never opened a .pdf file in my main O/S in 3 months, so it may look like the problem was actually from 3 months ago based on the fact the backup image has the same problem. I've never had a problem as this as long as I can remember other than fighting M$ with their forced on you defective Browsers. But, there is a workaround for that too.

As its stated minimum system requirement is Windows 8, I would be very surprised if it works on XP. I'll be delighted if I'm proved wrong though!

I recently noticed that the Properties tab for Macrium Reflect X is not affected by dark magic.

I'm using his Firefox ESR builds. They suit me fine. For now, that is

Ah, yes. I know how to use NTLite. I also remember using it's older cousin, nlite, to slim down XP and 2000 installs (one time I think I got an XP install down to, I think, 200 MB or less, and a 2000 install under 100 MB). Is it possible to somehow pre-activate Windows 10 after I've slimmed it down? I vaguely recall being able to do that with XP. Yeah, you're probably right. I will likely go with whatever the last version is, though, because it's easier. Of course, I have the problem of finding a license key that will work. I could've sworn I had one I got free as a perk from a CS class I took at the local Community College, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. I do have it in a VM, which I painstakingly upgraded – one release at a time – from 1809 to whatever the current is (22H2?). I also was able to update (a copy) of that VM further to the current release of 11, which actually isn't as awful as I thought – once I got rid of that ridiculously useless thing they call a "task bar." It feels more or less like a version of 10, to be honest. Why did they bother upping the version number? Microsoft's logic has escaped me in recent years (the naming scheme they used from the earliest Windows NT releases up to 7 made perfect sense to me). Ha! That's a bit extreme, yes? And if your range was much more than 50 feet, you most certainly would be violating lots of rules with your "jammer." I'm going by the rules and broadcasting on one frequency – 1610 AM. Interesting. Another instance of stock Windows 10 being dishonest and deceptive. An all to common theme in the industry nowadays. c

I heard it works https://www.webroot.com/us/en/home/products/trials

Some VPN and Circumvention Technologies Compatible with Windows XP: SoftEther SoftEther supports most of the modern protocols and continues to work on many systems. Download link: https://www.vpngate.net/en/download.aspx OpenVPN v2.5.4 Download link: https://sourceforge.net/projects/openvpn-for-windows-xp/ Advantages: Numerous configuration files are available online. Disadvantages: Limited speed on Windows XP (10-15 MB/s, even with optimized configurations). Basic skills are required to configure. SocksCap64 Download link: https://sourceforge.net/projects/sockscap64/files/SocksCap64-Portable-3.6.zip/download Supports HTTP/HTTPS, SOCKS5, and the old version of ShadowSocks. Psiphon Console version for Windows XP: GitHub - Psiphon https://github.com/artenax/psiphon/releases/expanded_assets/xp Legacy version: https://psiphon.ca/en/faq.html#windows-xp-eol Disadvantages: No recent updates, may work poorly without upstream proxy, especially in censored networks. Ultrasurf 2132 Download link: https://web.archive.org/web/20220313055058if_/https://ultrasurf.us/download/usf.exe Public Proxies Example for use with Supermium: append to the shortcut: --proxy-server="https://bst2200.site:443" This method can be used with the Ultrasurf proxy. Byedpi Can be used with a Cygwin fork: Byedpi on GitHub https://github.com/sanek184/byedpi/releases/download/latest/byedpi-x86-cygwin.zip Suitable for countries with advanced internet censorship. Advantages: No third-party software required; works directly. PPTP Advantages: Supports a wide range of systems from Windows 95 to Windows 11, including Android (up to 12). No additional software needed. Disadvantages: Outdated protocol, easily blocked. L2TP Similar to PPTP but does not work on Windows 95. Requires additional software for Windows 98 and Millennium. SSH Use through any SSH client (e.g., PuTTY or Bitvise SSH Client https://bitvise.com/ssh-client ). Also supported by SoftEther. OpenConnect Download link: https://github.com/openconnect/openconnect-gui/releases/tag/v1.4.1 Alternative implementation of Cisco AnyConnect. Version 1.4.1 may be unstable. A stable version with integrated DLLs from OpenConnect 1.5.3: OpenConnect 1.5.3 http://downgradefiles.pdp-11.ru/download.php?file=86a48b4ce8e3d2286e217c913ff888a7 Virtualization VirtualBox 5.2.44 Use OpenWRT/Linux to set up a virtual machine, which allows you to install modern protocols on Windows XP. Configuration requires a certain level of technical skills. Download link: VirtualBox with test signature https://yadi.sk/d/UmZ42T1xTR9JRA or with Chinese signature https://yadi.sk/d/c706OTHnq4dQfg NoxPlayer (versions 6.2.1.0 - 7.0.0.9) Download link: https://www.bignox.com/blog/noxplayer-6-2-1-0-release-notes/ Advantages: Simple to use, no technical skills required. Disadvantages: High system load, slow performance. I2P Download link: I2P on GitHub https://github.com/PurpleI2P/i2pd/releases/download/2.55.0/i2pd_2.55.0_winxp_mingw.zip To use it via HTTP proxy: 127.0.0.1:4444. Initial setup may take up to 10 minutes. Advantages: Simple to configure. Disadvantages: Only websites with an I2P instance are accessible here. v2ray-core (Console Version) The last compatible console version: v2ray-core v4.20.0 https://github.com/v2ray/v2ray-core/releases/tag/v4.20.0 However, this version has significant issues in modern networks, which should be taken into account when using it. Tor The last officially supported version of Tor Browser can be found at the following link: https://archive.torproject.org/tor-package-archive/torbrowser/7.5.6/ The engine version (0.3.3.7) from this release ceased functioning as of September 2025, necessitating an engine update. The most recent official version for Windows XP is available here: https://archive.torproject.org/tor-package-archive/torbrowser/10.0.11/tor-win32-0.4.4.6.zip There are also functional forks available: https://github.com/artenax/tor/releases/download/0.4.7.8/tor-0.4.7.8-x86-xp.zip Additionally, up-to-date geoip files can be obtained (though this is optional) from: https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/tor/ To use the engine, it is sufficient to extract the new engine files into the folder containing the browser. Those interested may also use a more recent build available here: https://msfn.org/board/topic/183799-torexe-console-client-for-windows-xp/page/3/#comment-1261898 It is also possible to run the bare engine and operate it similarly to I2P by configuring a proxy in the browser: 127.0.0.1:9050. For Supermium and Thorium browsers, the browser shortcut should be modified to include --proxy-server="[proxyType]://127.0.0.1:9050".

@Leokids123 What browser ? What HAL ? @sdfox7 in 2016 also has DrWatson problem but on Win2000: https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36561

Hi, is it possible to have a checkbox added to NOT check for updates? I'm on a managed company laptop now and I get a notification so does IT every time SAB tries to check for updates. I did rename the update file, but I don't unnecessarily want to manipulate the program executables. Thanks for being the only software that does not require elevated access to install and manipulate the Win11 charade.

VIA VT1708B 8-ch @ nVIDIA MCP78 Driver installed and loaded, but I got only errors on any device access (like general error). WDM audio stack is working (I tested USB audio device).

Welp,it worked fine for me...i don't get why it doesn't work for you...

I should build out a DeviceIOControl interface so I can send codec verbs and dump the codec state from a user-mode program and don't need to rely on the kernel debugger. Will get to that when I have time. It's busy around the holidays.

There isn't supposed to be. A true "portable" will *NOT* be associated. If you want the association, you should probably be using the "regular" version instead of the "portable" version. "Portable" versions are generally for people that do *NOT* want the file associations. Your list does *NOT* narrow things down for me, they all do not create the "bin" / "profile" the same way. But if you do not have any issues running the program THEN opening a .pdf, then your "bin" / "profile" SHOULD be okay (ie, not corrupted). Again, if you want OS-Level ASSOCIATIONS, you technically shouldn't be using the PORTABLE version. Because there are "mime types" and GUIDS and CLSIDS and ProgIds and namespaces and file PATHS and other things to also "associate" above-and-beyond a simple "OpenWithList". ie, things that over-simplified "registry cleaners" would have wiped clean and all you are trying to bring back is the "OpenWithList" - won't *always* be enough (sometimes it is).

You can check if it's active with `vivetool /query /id:41356296`, and similarly, you can disable it with `vivetool /disable /id:41356296`. My problem seems to be fixed; I need a little more time to confirm.

Take your pic (my version is a older one that works fine) https://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-tools/PDF/PDF-XChange-Editor-Portable.shtml https://portableapps.com/apps/office/pdf-xchange-editor-portable https://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=2832 https://www.fcportables.com/pdf-xchange-portable/ I have no problem running the portable application, then opening a .pdf file within it. There is no 'default' for .pdf files that I ever saw. I looked at that Registry key with file associations and the .pdf is assigned to PDF x extension ok.

Not sure on Win7, but never trust an Uptime claim on Win10. Why? Because you can "hibernate" and then leave the computer in the attic for DECADES. Then launch it DECADES later and the "uptime" will SAY it has been "up" for that ENTIRE time.

Do you have a link of where you obtained PDF-Xchange?

I'm down to one active computer using Windows 7, the one I am posting from. I do all of my daily driving with it and every site I need to use still works. My old Win7 is still connected but it stays off most of the time. That computer was the one that used to be my daily up until the end of June and was the one that I had posted about in the Uptime and HD Reliability threads.

I don't know if a 'Portable' application can be 're-launched. I don't know how to do that, if there is one.

That seems to be related to A/B switch 41356296. Check if it's enabled with vivetool

I have an FM Transmitter that I've modified to "jam" any radio within 50 feet. Overrides a local FM radio station and plays DEAD SILENCE instead. Not sure if I'm breaking any FCC rules or not. BUT it is a GODSEND for my SANITY! Why? Because I do not (and will not!) listen to COUNTRY MUSIC !!! :)

The same thing happens to me too