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(Thread inspired by Dr. Flay's thread: https://forum.vivaldi.net/topic/38561/windows-7-old-games-failing-to-run) Ever since Games Explorer was introduced in Windows Vista, it has caused problems for users with limited access to the internet. Most affected users would have already disabled it by editing GameUX's registry settings or by unregistering the dll (GameUX.dll), but last month Microsoft has taken the domain the Games Explorer system used to phone for game-related metadata and updates out of commission (specifically: "https://games.metaservices.microsoft.com/games/SGamesWebService.asmx"), thus the problem will also show for users which have permanent connection to the internet. Symptoms related to this problem: Game fails to open, but their processes can be seen in the taskmgr The rundll32.exe process related to gameux.dll spikes up to >50% of CPU usage Running a second copy of the game or renaming the game executable works around it Any old game that has been added by Games Explorer itself is affected to this problem, since Windows is using the rundll32.exe process to check the game updates before launching the game. Note that you can't remove said games from Games Explorer itself, only hide it. Even changing the options within the Games Explorer to never check online for game updates and news won't fix this problem. The fix which tackles the problem at its core is to use these registry files provided by user UCyborg (Make sure to read the whole post!): The second fix (or rather a workaround) which is more simpler, but doesn't remove the problem at its core (less recommended than the first one): All you have to do is to open regedit, go to this key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\GameUX\ServiceLocation Changing the server address in the "Games" value to either '127.0.0.1', 'localhost' or '0.0.0.0' ought to fix it.

I found with Office 2010 that activation didn't work online when it was installed on Windows XP, but it did on Windows 10. However, I found that it was still possible to activate it on XP over the phone, despite the activation notice saying that facility was no longer available either. Are you seeing an installation ID of nine blocks of six numbers on the activation screen? If so, you should be able to ring the MS activation line and input those numbers and get an activation code back. It's an automated system, you don't actually speak to anyone. It may not work with Office 2007 of course, but worth a try. It's a very tedious process, but hopefully you'll only have to do it once!

I don't like any of the solutions mentioned either here or at other places. Neither tackle the problem at its core. GameUX invocation code is baked in the Shim Engine (I guess it's in %WinDir%\AppPatch\AcGenral.dll). The system compatibility database (%WinDir%\AppPatch\sysmain.sdb) contains entries for 2165 games; executable name and usually some of its properties and/or accompanying files' names for the purpose of matching the executable file to the game and invoking GameUX). It can be viewed with Compatibility Administrator (32-bit) that comes with Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.6 (for Windows 8+, there's Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for specific version). So the best way is to just tell the Shim Engine to ignore those entries so it doesn't even try invoking GameUX. There are two registry files in the ZIP file below, GameUX_DisableShims.reg disables the entries while the other restores the initial state. If particular game has already been launched before importing GameUX_DisableShims.reg, visiting the game's executable properties, selecting Compatibility tab and clicking OK is required for changes to take effect. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1G45mk_NUtUKGkC2TmREqGx9jhbUlN1RU GameUX shim has been removed from Windows 8 onwards, the issue is Windows 7 specific. Vista has GameUX, but no bug there.

Yo, so far everything is working flawlessly. I haven't encountered any issues as of yet that I'm aware of. Proud to have it working so well tbh. However I figured I'd post my debug log here anyways in case there is something I missed that might help with the progress. It's a tad large soe I won't copy and past the text, instead I'll just attach it, lol. debug.rar

... However, inside file Install.bat it still reads (twice ) : title Unoffical RoyTam1 Browser Installer by i430VX v1.0 An omission?