AstroSkipper
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So, I've made a bit more progress. Microsoft's "start" command has a bug. It must not be called "start /wait /b" but "start /b /wait". That's great! I love Microsoft!
Microsoft's documentation of this command is crap. Unfortunately, closing the ProxHTTPSProxy's status window in the corner right above leads to closing the complete process tree. This means that the rest of my batch file can't be executed anymore. 
However, if I use my task manager "ProcessHacker" and specifically close the file "ProxHTTPSProxy.bat", my batch works perfectly. 
Very strange! Any ideas or suggestions?
Cheers, AstroSkipper
PS: The next try will be a compiled version of my batch file. Don't know if this change anything!
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2 minutes ago, TuMaGoNx said:
After reading more about proxhttpsproxy, I confused as how is the whole thing different from privoxy, configured with ssl enabled? If tls 1.3 needed just add wanted cipher and update the mbedtls/openssl. Someone post https://msfn.org/board/topic/183726-privoxy-as-ssl-filter/ but no one chime in.
ProxHTTPSProxy is easy and great. Read my first post in this thread and my short tutorial from here:
What I need now are further ideas, tips, suggestions or at its best, solutions for my question!
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54 minutes ago, genieautravail said:
For that, AutoIt is much more adapted.
AutoIt script can include batch commands and can be easily compiled into an executable.
Here an example of a loop that I use for killing hidden installs of C++ redistribuables:
$MICROSOFTVISUALCx86="vcredist_x86.exe" $MICROSOFTVISUALCx64="vcredist_x64.exe" Do If ProcessExists ($MICROSOFTVISUALCx86) Then ProcessClose ($MICROSOFTVISUALCx86) ElseIf ProcessExists ($MICROSOFTVISUALCx64) Then ProcessClose ($MICROSOFTVISUALCx64) EndIf Sleep (25) Until 1=2I have heard a lot about AutoIt. I'll take a deeper look into it the next days. But, what about the processor load of such a loop using AutoIt?
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11 minutes ago, jaclaz said:
I am not sure to have understood the question, but there is nurcmd that can kill a process from batch (or tasklist/taskkill).
Why would the focus on a window matter?
jaclaz
Hi @jaclaz, closing or killing a process can be done in different ways and is not the subject of my question. My question was
QuoteWhat kind of ways do exist to start an executable in a batch file, and, after closing it manually, to perform the next tasks in this batch?
I need ideas how to create one exe or bat file which activates the proxy ProxMII in the IE LAN settings, runs it, and deactivates its LAN settings when the proxy is closed manually by the user. Activating and running this proxy is no problem, but deactivating by closing the proxy is definitely a problem for me.
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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6 hours ago, genieautravail said:
Sadly, batch isn't adapted for that.
You can try a loop in a batch file but the loop will stop if you don't keep the focus on the window.
For that, AutoIt is much more adapted.
AutoIt script can include batch commands and can be easily compiled into an executable.
Here an example of a loop that I use for killing hidden installs of C++ redistribuables:
$MICROSOFTVISUALCx86="vcredist_x86.exe" $MICROSOFTVISUALCx64="vcredist_x64.exe" Do If ProcessExists ($MICROSOFTVISUALCx86) Then ProcessClose ($MICROSOFTVISUALCx86) ElseIf ProcessExists ($MICROSOFTVISUALCx64) Then ProcessClose ($MICROSOFTVISUALCx64) EndIf Sleep (25) Until 1=2One of my ideas was a loop using the command tasklist. Unfortunately, loops do have the disavantage of high processor load.
5 hours ago, genieautravail said:You must monitor the process python37.exe
That's correct! Alternatively, a monitoring of ProxHTTPSProxy.exe is possible if it exists (depends on the type of call), too.
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48 minutes ago, TuMaGoNx said:
but python itself is deadend for xp, both py2/py3, and the last serviced python for xp is python 2.7.18. That's my point.
I already knew that Python has been abandoned for Windows XP. 2.7.18 is the last official version compatible with Windows XP.
51 minutes ago, TuMaGoNx said:just a nitpick, I could compile any (future) openssl version I want with python. or compile last py35 fully compatible to xp with no funny hack involved
Thanks! Good to know.
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55 minutes ago, TuMaGoNx said:
what I trying to say is if tls1.3 support in python is a dependecy, then I'd rather run it with python 2.7 which serviced longer than 3.4. Usually py3 script can be backported to py2 with help from backports.* package.
When it comes to security, then follwing rule is most important: the more recent the better. In @cmalex's latest release (220717) of ProxyMII, openssl has been updated to 3.0.5 and cryptography to 3.4.8.
Nothing else matters for me.
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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2 minutes ago, TuMaGoNx said:
okay, where I could get latest ProxHTTPSProxy.py ? I got v1.5 from @cmalex is this the latest?
what I trying to say is if tls1.3 support in python is a dependecy, then I'd rather run it with python 2.7 which serviced longer than 3.4. Usually py3 script can be backported to py2 with help from backports.* package.The latest versions of ProxyMII and 3proxy can be found in this post:
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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Hi @cmalex. Any ideas how to create one exe or bat file which activates the proxy ProxMII in the IE LAN settings, runs it, and deactivates its LAN settings when the proxy is closed manually by the user?
Activating and running this proxy, no problem, but deactivating by closing the proxy is definitely a problem for me. Detailed description of my problem can be found here:
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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6 hours ago, TuMaGoNx said:
@AstroSkipper is this really need python3 or this also support python 2.7? its just a bit lame to use py 3.4 whic EOLed much earlier, when python 2.7 also support tls1.3
@cmalex created PROXYMII by using Python 3.7.1. If you have detailed questions about the source code or how this proxy was programmed, you have to address your request to @cmalex. I am not a Python programmer and can't assess which Python version is more suitable or which features they differ in.
. Anyway, ProxyMII is absolutely great, and honestly, I don't really know what your statement is supposed to tell us.
For me, it doesn't really matter whether ProxyMII was programmed with Python 2.7 or Python 3.7.1. I am glad that we finally have a TLS 1.3 proxy that works perfectly.
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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1 hour ago, Dave-H said:
So what does the ProxHTTPSProxy.exe file actually do in ProxyMII?
Does it just run the ProxHTTPSProxy.bat batch file?
I must say that I was puzzled as to why it was there, and I did wonder if it was there for compatibility reasons with other versions.
Compiling an exe from a bat file has a few advantages. You can assign a program icon, facilitate the control of the cmd window, and add further files, all in one exe. I did that in my ProxHTTPSProxy's PopMenu, too.
ProxHTTPSProxy.exe is just a small program to launch the proxy, presumably a compiled version of the batch file ProxHTTPSProxy.bat. In Windows XP, I can't examine this file due to the need of .NET Framework 4.6 which is not supported. That should be done on Windows 7 or higher.
PS: @Dave-H Maybe, the reason @cmalex created ProxHTTPSProxy.exe is that all users of ProxHTTPSProxy usually start the proxy using this exe, and would be confused if it wasn't there.
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Hi @cmalex and all interested users of ProxHTTPSProxy!
At the moment, I am working on a full implementation of @cmalex's ProxyMII in my PopMenu. As I stated several times, I am not a Python programmer, but rather a batch programmer. The most is working fine, so far. I wrote small programs to activate or deactivate the proxy in the IE LAN settings. No problem at all. I was also able to create two other programs, one of which activates the proxy in the IE LAN settings and runs the proxy, the other closes the proxy and deactivates the proxy in the IE LAN settings, in both cases automatically. Works! But there is one problem. The launcher of ProxMII does not activate or deactivate the proxy in the IE LAN settings by itself. @heinoganda provided the executable ProxHTTPSProxy_PSwitch.exe which activates the proxy in the IE LAN settings, runs the proxy, and, closing the proxy manually, leads to its deactivation in the IE LAN settings automatically. Unfortunately, such an executable does not exist in the archive of @cmalex's ProxyMII. This means closing the proxy manually does not deactivate its settings in the IE LAN settings. Same problem when starting the proxy manually. @heinoganda created ProxHTTPSProxy_PSwitch.exe as a SFX archive which performs the activation or deactivation by using his batch file ProxySwitch.bat. You see all is a bit complicated, and once @Dave-H mentioned @heinoganda was an one man band without other contributors. Therefore, we'll presumably never know how he created the ProxHTTPSProxy_PSwitch.exe. Of course, it's not necessary to have such a file, but it is really nice to see that the proxy is activated or deactivated in the IE LAN settings when starting or closing the proxy. I examined the file ProxHTTPSProxy_PSwitch.exe, I wrote several batch files to get this functionality. Unfortunately, without any success.I tried the commands "start /wait" and "call", but it doesn't work.
So, here is my question to all having knowledge in batch programming. What kind of ways do exist to start an executable in a batch file, and after closing it manually, to perform the next tasks in this batch? As I already said, the command start /wait does not work in the case of this proxy. It leads to ^C interruption and the batch can't perform the next tasks. I need some suggestions to solve the problem or the confirmation that this can't be solved using batch programming. I think the problem is that there is no compiled main program. The proxy is called by the program python37.exe, loading a py file. This is the existing command to start the proxy: python\python37 "%~dp0ProxHTTPSProxy.py", contained in the file ProxHTTPSProxy.bat. There is still an alternative file to start the proxy named ProxHTTPSProxy.exe. Thanks in advance!
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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31 minutes ago, genieautravail said:
The latest build of ProxHTTPSProxy (ProxyMII_220717.7z) works without POSReady 2009 updates.
It even works on a non-SSE2 CPU (testing today).
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable is the only one requirement.
If you want, now you can write a complete tutorial.
Regards
Thanks for your information! @cmalex already mentioned that his release works on a CPU with only SSE instructions set, without POSReady 2009 updates, and requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable. But, good to have a confirmation. Thanks again!
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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25 minutes ago, Dave-H said:
FWIW, I found it still worked fine with 'localhost' instead of the actual IP address, the same settings as my existing ProxHTTPSProxy in fact.
Yeah, that's correct. Same settings as it was before. Wether localhost or 127.0.0.1, doesn't matter.
BTW, originally, @heinoganda set the proxy by its batch file ProxySwitch.bat to the IP address 127.0.0.1. But as I said, it doesn't matter actually.
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Hi @cmalex, first, a big thanks for this release of ProxyMII once again! It is absolutely awesome!
And furthermore, you are a great win for our forum. Your TLS 1.3 proxy is an important element in future-proofing our beloved OS Windows XP. Establishing a TLS 1.3 connection in Windows XP system-wide or locally, is and will be very important, especially in the future times. Therefore, one cannot thank you enough! And this simply has to be said. Just a few days ago, I really didn't believe that my call here could be successful one day. You know "Dirty Harry"? Make my day? You made my day!
Ignore the guy far right! This one is not ticking right! Actually, it has to be a 10, too! But he seems to have a life of his own.
To let WindowsXP live as long as possible can only be done by sharing our knowledge and skills! Helping and supporting each other has to be the main idea!
Kindest regards, AstroSkipper (The "flying guy" is you! Hope you don't get sick! )
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51 minutes ago, mina7601 said:
Luckily, I don't have any programs broken with some POSReady updates installed (the IE8 TLS 1.2 ones). Perhaps the definition of "programs broke" is different, and i'm not understanding it.
Hi @mina7601, thanks for your reply and for addressing your points! And what should I say? I don't understand it, either! (
, "either" is no problem anymore. Sorry, I had to say that!) A "breaking" of programs is very unspecific and meaningless. I am completely with you. And as I already said to @Dave-H, you really can't go off-topic in this thread anymore. 
Frankly, I am so happy about our new proxies, so, whether one is on-topic or off-topic here, doesn't matter for me. 
You know I usually don't like to go off-topic.
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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Hi @cmalex, thank you so much for your new proxy releases! I tested your proxy ProxMII again, and it works perfectly.
Here is a new screenshot to demonstrate a successful connection to Qualys SSL Labs, established by the proxy ProxyMII from 17-07-2022, using the Internet Explorer 8:
The proxy settings are shown on the left side as described in my short tutorial.
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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31 minutes ago, XPerceniol said:
Agreed ... I think 5 years extra was worth it, but if I decided to fresh install again, I'd likely not update to pos ready again.
31 minutes ago, XPerceniol said:So "Jail" .... unfortunately, for me, its the electric chair.
Each computer I'd have to install Windows XP Professional SP3 to would get all POSReady updates, unless it owned a CPU with SSE instructions set only. In such a case only the POSReady updates until July of 2018.
BTW, this @XPerceniol guy is a good one! Therefore, I plead for acquittal. Neither electric chair nor jail!
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3 hours ago, Dave-H said:
Off-topic of course, but I concur.
POSReady updates have never given me any problems, but they did give me an extra five years worth of security updates!
In this thread, you really can't go off-topic anymore.
Anyway, I agree with you, wholeheartedly.
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36 minutes ago, NotHereToPlayGames said:
Not here, they broke several programs on my garage computer that doesn't get used for home-office tasks. I ended up reinstalling XP without the POS (Piece of Stuff).
I never had any problems with the POSReady updates. Therefore, I can't confirm your observations.
PS: Maybe, your garage computer possesses a CPU with SSE instructions set only. The POSReady updates weren't compatible with such systems since August of 2018.
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5 minutes ago, XPerceniol said:
YAY!!!
Followed this advice and that did it ... I've got control again of my IE settings.
Very good!
Glad it works for you finally! 
As I stated in a previous post, Windows XP is the best documentated OS ever!
Cheers, AstroSkipper
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@XPerceniol, I found that on social.technet.microsoft.com:
Link:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/de-DE/cd9e1fc2-e209-49f4-ae4a-78222969c6b2/some-settings-are-managed-by-your-system-administrator?forum=winserversecurityQuoteHi everyone, I had this problem and I managed to solve it !!!!
After upgrading Windows XP Pro to service pack 3 and upgrading internet explorer 8 I also couldn't nothing with the annoying announcement "some setting are managed by your system administrator" !!!
Well...
It goes like this
In gpedit you dont need to enter, its no use.
You need to enter RUN - 'REGEDIT'
In regedit go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
In control panel you need to change all the keys to 0 !!!
I know 0 should do disabled but that what I did and it works
No restart is needed, just do it and close REGEDIT
Maybe, it helps you to get rid of this problem.
I have marked for you the important parts. 
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24 minutes ago, XPerceniol said:
I disabled the super admin account and use my DELL account normally. Sometimes I'll switch to power user or user if trying out new things.
Honestly, I'm getting the sneaky suspicion I've get trouble in group policy but wouldn't know where to began with that. Can't you just reset that to defaults?
First, enable again your super admin account! It is a very important account to do things which can't be done with a normal admin account. And perform a Google search referring to the issue "Some settings are managed by your system administrator". I am sure there will be a lot of hits. Windows XP is the best documentated OS ever. Furthermore, there are some tools to reset permissions and presumably, the group policies. Perform a second Google search by entering "reset group policies in Windows XP". That's what I would do. All of these problems are well documentated, some articles have to be read by using the wayback machine, of course.
Links: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/windows-xp-in/0596009003/re99.html
https://www.wikihow.com/Refresh-the-Group-Policy-Settings-in-Windows
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Hi @XPerceniol, never seen this message before! Which account do you use In Windows XP?
I assume you have to reset some or all permissions in the registry. But first, use the standard administrator account which always exists in Windows XP in addition to your personal admin account, and add permissions for reading and writing of these entries. Which file system do you use? FAT32 or NTFS?
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Nothing else matters for me. 
. Anyway, ProxyMII is absolutely great, and honestly, I don't really know what your statement is supposed to tell us. 
(The "flying guy" is you! Hope you don't get sick! 
, "either" is no problem anymore. Sorry, I had to say that!) A "breaking" of programs is very unspecific and meaningless. I am completely with you. 
ProxHTTPSProxy and HTTPSProxy in Windows XP for future use
in Windows XP
Posted · Edited by AstroSkipper
Update of content
@jaclaz Thanks for your reply and your point of view! AutoIt is certainly worth a try. At the moment I am struggling with pure batch programming. And what can I say? I programmed a loop checking wether the proxy is running or not in a simple batch. When the proxy is closed manually, my batch goes on and deactivates the proxy's settings as it should be.
Actually, I should be very happy, but the processor load on the one hand and the intense background activity on the other still bother me. 
Have to think about that in general, and of course, about possibilities of optimization! 
And I still need alternatives! Any ideas or suggestions are welcome!
Cheers, AstroSkipper