Games Explorer Patcher
A downloadable patch for Windows
Restores Games Explorer functionality by patching system files.
Note that the automatic script does not patch the icon, so you have to do it yourself.
All files that are not the icon that are imported originated from this post.
The icon originated from Windows 10 Pro Build 1709.
After installing, clearing the icon cache, and restarting you can open games explorer by either entering this into the run dialog:
shell:::{ED228FDF-9EA8-4870-83b1-96b02CFE0D52}
Or by naming a folder this:
Games.{ED228FDF-9EA8-4870-83b1-96b02CFE0D52}
ALSO MAKE SURE THAT TAMPER PROTECTION IS OFF TO AVOID CAUSING IT TO BE REVERTED
Please close all open windows before installing.
Download
Install instructions
After extracting all of the files to a directory somewhere, run the RUNTOPATCH.bat file, it will request admin privileges and then add Game Explorer to your system.
Note that you may or may not have to redo the patch after every update, and you DO have to REDO THE PATCH after every system repair (possibly excluding system restore and definitely including sfc), depending on if it has new icons or not.
If there has been a restore point created in the last 24 hours, the script cannot make one, so you will have to do it yourself.
The patch almost instantly applies itself to the system, then afterwards the system will restart after 10 seconds.
IMPORTANT: Close all open windows and save all unsaved documents before executing this program.
Development log
- Improved ExperienceMar 23, 2025
- Now AutopatchesMar 22, 2025
- Icon PatchMar 22, 2025
- How it worksMar 20, 2025
Comments
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Hey thank you so much but I can't add any game to it. How can I do that? + It seems game rating section is a little bit bugged when Dark Mode enabled. Running on latest Windows 11 Pro N + StartAllBack. And by the way, Is there any updated rating "backups"? Cus I think the rating system is down lol. I enabled Automatic Updates for it but it seems not working. That would be nice.
Not being able to pin apps is probably a Windows 11 bug as Microsoft does not expect users to use the Games Explorer so the compatibility has decreased, but there could be a patch, I'll look around. Also about the rating server I do not know how to fix that and also don't know if it can be fixed, I just bundled the patch as an auto-patching tool and the steps and files can be found on the WinClassic forums.
The dark mode bug is almost certainly another Windows 11 bug and likely cannot be fixed.
Thank you so much for the response. Yeah I already saw it on the WinClassic forums then I proceeded here :D I will wait for the game adding fix. It's not that important. Thanks again
Hello again, I posted a "fix". If you have still intrest on it, I think you need to check it. Thank you again!