Windows 10

[Handruin]

To preface this post, I'm unable to delete a directory on my drive because a file path is too long.

I found an unusual bug that I don't know if it's windows 10 specific or not. I have a file I restored to a directory that is nested quite deep in folder and the file has a rather long name. As an example:

H:\Seagate 3TB restore\G\netshare_2\EMC stuff\Downloads\sort\offline projects\vmware\VMware-vSphere-WS-SDK-4.1.0-257238\SDK\samples\Axis\java\com\vmware\vim25\VirtualMachineDeviceRuntimeInfoVirtualEthernetCardRuntimeStateVmDirectPathGen2InactiveReasonOther.java

If I navigate to this file through the windows explorer and if I try to rename the file (using either F2 key, or right click) it causes explorer to crash and restart immediately.

Windows event log reports the following. I'm not clear if this is Dropbox causing the issue or if Dropbox is affected by this. I just thought it was bizarre and easily reproducible.


Faulting application name: Explorer.EXE, version: 10.0.10240.16431, time stamp: 0x55c9bd76
Faulting module name: DropboxExt64.27.dll, version: 1.0.0.27, time stamp: 0x55cda3ec
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x000000000000c6b4
Faulting process id: 0x129c
Faulting application start time: 0x01d0ecf7fde86d87
Faulting application path: C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
Faulting module path: C:\Users\doug\AppData\Roaming\Dropbox\bin\DropboxExt64.27.dll
Report Id: 275b87f6-611f-464b-966f-eaacd6c58ff6
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

 

[Mercutio]

Some parts of Windows have a 255 character file path limitation. This has been an issue for as long as Windows has had long file name support. There are ways around it. Most of them involve third-party file managers, but you can get by using a plain old subst command at a cmd prompt and manipulating from there if you need to.

I run in to those problems a lot because I have processes that create folder names programmatically.

 

[Handruin]

I've seen this issue before also but I've never seen it crash explorer.exe like it was doing. I've since uninstalled dropbox and rebooted and the crash no longer happens when I try doing this again. I'm guessing it has something to do with how dropbox integrates with explorer and miss-manages file names and paths which exceed the limitations.

I tried a few ways to delete the file without success and this little trick worked for me:

mkdir empty_dir
robocopy empty_dir the_dir_to_delete /s /mir
rmdir empty_dir
rmdir the_dir_to_delete

http://superuser.com/questions/45697/how-to-delete-a-file-in-windows-with-a-too-long-filename

 

[Tea]

Or you can use any of a variety of third-party black hole utilities.

 

[Tea]

Here's the script I downloaded and used.

Instructions: Download, unzip, right click on aegis.cmd, click "run as administrator", follow on-screen instructions.

I got the link from a tech newsletter, article in a tech journal (ARS Technica?) or some such.

I went through all of the unzipped files except the .exe, and it all looked kosher to me with my limited knowledge.

The linked page lists the KBs that will be downloaded. It's supposed to work on both Win-7 and Win-8.

The script also removes the "Upgrade to Win 10" four-distorted-squares icon in the notification are in the bottom right of the screen because it uninstalls the associated KBs and also all KBs associated with upgrading Win 7. I guess for those that have a change of heart later, they can always go to the MS website and ask to download Win-10.

It's a lot easier to run this script than to individually find two-dozen KBs to uninstall and then hide them.

Brilliant Mubs! Thankyou! Tannin says thankyou too, which for him is really something.

 

[snowhiker]

Here's the script I downloaded and used.

Instructions: Download, unzip, right click on aegis.cmd, click "run as administrator", follow on-screen instructions.

I got the link from a tech newsletter, article in a tech journal (ARS Technica?) or some such.

I went through all of the unzipped files except the .exe, and it all looked kosher to me with my limited knowledge.

The linked page lists the KBs that will be downloaded. It's supposed to work on both Win-7 and Win-8.

The script also removes the "Upgrade to Win 10" four-distorted-squares icon in the notification are in the bottom right of the screen because it uninstalls the associated KBs and also all KBs associated with upgrading Win 7. I guess for those that have a change of heart later, they can always go to the MS website and ask to download Win-10.

It's a lot easier to run this script than to individually find two-dozen KBs to uninstall and then hide them.

Here's the output from the above script. It blocks a lot of hosts. I can still navigate to those sites in Firefox so I'm not sure how the blocking works?

1:


2:


3:


4:


5:


6:

 

[Bozo]

I ran the script on a well seasoned Win 7 virtual machine. No problems or weird side effects.

 

[snowhiker]

I suspect that we'll have new scripts that need to be run on a regular basis as MS continues to add various KB updates to replace those not installed (or removed) by users.

 

[sedrosken]

You know, these scripts and things tempt me back to versions of Windows newer than XP. Especially these tools that claim to stop the tracking snd stuff even in Windows 10. Still not sure what I want to do. Linux runs great, with some tinkering it does whatever I want it to, but Windows runs equally well if not better than Linux and is easier to use and with these privacy fixes doesn't make me want to puke. But the rumors that they're going to be completely killing off Win32 applications disturbs me a great deal.

What do, guys? What do?

 

[Chewy509]

But the rumors that they're going to be completely killing off Win32 applications disturbs me a great deal.

This will never happen... There are simply too many Win32 based applications for MS to do this, especially if they want people to continue to keep up to date in regards to the OS. (Note: MS has been trying to do this since they introduced .NET back in '02).

IIRC. The .NET Framework and the new WinRT frameworks both sit on top of Win32 as well... so Win32 isn't going anywhere...

What do, guys? What do?

Stay with Linux... that way you will always be in control.

 

[Bozo]

I don't think the script blocks MS from reinstalling the updates. The 'well seasoned' computer updater says there are 46 critical updates available and almost as many optional updates.

 

[timwhit]

What do, guys? What do?

Just do what you normally do and switch back and forth once a week or so.

 

[Mercutio]

Stay with Linux... that way you will always be in control.

Linux can have its own share of weirdness, mostly because someone gets a bright idea to monetize some aspect of system behavior or to switch licensing models or because a particular distro's package management doesn't support Project XYZ and installing XYZ by hand isn't well documented on that distro.

There's also the fact that systems are shipping with UEFI configured that some aspects of system behavior are simply taken out of user control. I've definitely seen machines that don't have a legacy boot option any more, which hoses any OS that doesn't have a signed boot loader.

 

[Howell]

I decided to do this here due to the discussions of forced updates.

This was not a happy start to the morning. My wsus server told me before a find news reports.

http://arstechnica.com/security/201...uspicious-windows-update-delivered-worldwide/

 

[mubs]

I don't think the script blocks MS from reinstalling the updates. The 'well seasoned' computer updater says there are 46 critical updates available and almost as many optional updates.

Bozo, the script is supposed to hide updates that have been removed / disabled, so you shouldn't be seeing the same updates again unless MS changed the KB #.

 

[Mercutio]

I decided to do this here due to the discussions of forced updates.

What bothers me nowadays is that Microsoft doesn't really say what updates do any more. "Security Fixes" and "stability enhancements" are more or less the only descriptions we're getting for Windows 10.

 

[Howell]

I'm convinced MS intends 10 to be a rolling release ala Arch.

 

[ddrueding]

I'm convinced MS intends 10 to be a rolling release ala Arch.

I thought they'd said as much. I remember reading somewhere that "Windows 10" will be the last windows release (like OSX). I was expecting them to go directly to a subscription model as well, but that hasn't happened (yet).

 

[Bozo]

Bozo, the script is supposed to hide updates that have been removed / disabled, so you shouldn't be seeing the same updates again unless MS changed the KB #.

True. But did anyone else get 46 critical updates at one time yesterday? The Windows 7 install was up to date to 9/23/15. I have another Win 7 virtual machine that has only had 2 days running time on it. It is current with updates. maybe I'll try the script again.

The NTLite program had a setting to disable Windows Update.

 

[CougTek]

+

When I came back from work, my Windows 10 compurte#1

 

[snowhiker]

Bozo, the script is supposed to hide updates that have been removed / disabled, so you shouldn't be seeing the same updates again unless MS changed the KB #.

I suspect that we'll have new scripts that need to be run on a regular basis as MS continues to add various KB updates to replace those not installed (or removed) by users.

That's what I'm afraid of Mubs. MS will just re-issue the not installed/removed updates with another KB update. Perhaps one of the anti-malware programs can add the spyware w10 KB updates to their list of scanning targets.

What bothers me nowadays is that Microsoft doesn't really say what updates do any more. "Security Fixes" and "stability enhancements" are more or less the only descriptions we're getting for Windows 10.

This. We don't get to choose what we want to install, or NOT install.

When I came back from work, my Windows 10 compurte#1

Coug are you on an AOL dial-up connection? You were cut off mid-reply.

 

[LunarMist]

That's what I'm afraid of Mubs. MS will just re-issue the not installed/removed updates with another KB update. Perhaps one of the anti-malware programs can add the spyware w10 KB updates to their list of scanning targets.

I'm confused. Is Win 7 downloading updates in secret now even when windows updates are turned off?

 

[Bozo]

I got a notification that updates were available. That's how I have Windows Update setup; notification only.

 

[Mercutio]

I thought they'd said as much. I remember reading somewhere that "Windows 10" will be the last windows release (like OSX). I was expecting them to go directly to a subscription model as well, but that hasn't happened (yet).

That was put forward by pundits rather than anyone actually on the Windows product team. I think it's been pretty thoroughly debunked.

 

[CougTek]

When I came back from work, my Windows 10 compurte#1

I didn't realize that this message was post on the forum. Sound stopped working and the driver reinstallation failed. At that point, I teared the keyboard in half before throwing it in my monitor (nope, not on, in).

Anyway, I was about to complain that Windows 10's forced auto-update screwed up the audio driver after a mandatory reboot.

I'm now in the market for a new monitor.

 

[ddrueding]

Might I recommend a CRT? They are more throw-in-proof.

 

[LunarMist]

Might I recommend a CRT? They are more throw-in-proof.

I suspect he already destroyed all those. :lol:

Time to buy a new keyboard?

 

[sedrosken]

Just do what you normally do and switch back and forth once a week or so.

Seriously, how do I not have the self control to pick something and stick with it?

 

[ddrueding]

Eventually you won't have the time to change. Eventually you'll have brand-new computer hardware still sitting in boxes after weeks just because you haven't had time to get to it.

 

[LunarMist]

Eventually you'll have brand-new computer hardware still sitting in boxes after weeks just because you haven't had time to get to it.

Why?

 

[sdbardwick]

Eventually you won't have the time to change. Eventually you'll have brand-new computer hardware still sitting in boxes after weeks just because you haven't had time to get to it.

Why?

Because that is what happens when available funds exceed available time.

 

[ddrueding]

Why?

What is the average time for you between a new lens being delivered and it being used?

 

[Handruin]

Seriously, how do I not have the self control to pick something and stick with it?

In a way it's good that you're doing this. You're learning and exploring which is what a lot of us may have done back when we were younger and with a lot less funds. I certainly tried tons of various OSes over the years. I ran with BeOS for some time just to see if I could make it work. Various Linux variants were used over the years but I did keep coming back to windows mostly because of gaming.

 

[sedrosken]

Windows 10 is already annoying me with its non-functional Photos application. IrfanView to the rescue, I guess. Also, nVidia's Windows 10-specific driver sucks. If I'm folding the driver constantly stops responding and 'recovers'.

For being a hard drive-based machine it's actually very snappy, almost as fast as it was with an SSD. I'm pretty sure this is just a bog-standard hard drive to boot, not one of those SSHDs I hear a fair amount about. I removed the solid-state drive for the laptop, as the main is going to more or less fall into server and dedicated folding duty as I use the laptop more and more as I get ahold of an i3-based laptop that actually does what I need it to.

 

[Handruin]

I've seen similar messages of the driver stopped responding but I haven't seen it since I updated to the latest. I run folding 24x7 also and thought it was related to that some how.

 

[Tea]

I thought they'd said as much. I remember reading somewhere that "Windows 10" will be the last windows release (like OSX). I was expecting them to go directly to a subscription model as well, but that hasn't happened (yet).

Merc's comment notwithstanding, MS have publicly stated that W10 will just be "Windows", a forever-changing rolling release. They are keeping very, very quiet about their plans for a subscription-only model. Most hints they drop seem to indicate that Windows itself will be purchased but that they will split off more and more functions as subscription-ware. Over time, it is sensible to assume that they will wind up having various essential components deemed "non-core" and thus chargeable. But that won't be for a while yet - they plan to sneak it in and hope no-one notices.

 

[Mercutio]

My least favorite things about Windows 10, at least from a support aspect:

1. Cortana's local data indexing breaks a lot. Windows Search 4.0 on XP worked better. There's a set of powershell commands to make it reindex, but holy crap why is it losing track of things in \windows or my PATH environment variable?
2. Printers, under Settings. It does absolutely nothing except list printers. That's not even useful.
3. Proper Control Panel (where the functional printer controls are!) isn't on the Start Screen by default.
4. Turning off "Show Recently Used" in Privacy Settings is not granular. It turns off the listing for files as well as programs. I like the programs listing, not so much the files listing.
5. Having to go to Default Programs in Settings to set core applications. Trying to change it by starting relevant applications usually doesn't work.

 

[Stereodude]

I'm hearing reports that all of Win10 is being downloaded to eligible computers even if you haven't signed up for it. Apparently just having automatic updates is enough. Ugh.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer...ading-windows-10-to-your-machine-just-in-case

Thoughts?

My HTPC runs Win 7 x86. It has now gotten to the state where it's going to automatically install Windows 10 as part of Windows Update without me doing anything, or asking for it. Time to run one of those scripts.

Edit: I used this one and had to do this too.

 

[Howell]

I have to manually install the updates. The next update it wants me to install is W10 and I have to click a link below "to see other updates" . The link takes me to the view I'm used to.

Edit: I will also say that I never reserved by copy.

 

[Stereodude]

I have to manually install the updates. The next update it wants me to install is W10 and I have to click a link below "to see other updates" . The link takes me to the view I'm used to.

Edit: I will also say that I never reserved by copy.

Can you still install the other updates? I didn't go all the way but it didn't seem like there was any way to install the other updates and not the W10 one.