Windows Explorer crash when running MS Edge browser as admin

from Stardock Forums

I am running version 1.19.1 of Curtains.

It took me quite a while to figure this out, but using a selective startup on Windows

(Edition: Windows 10 Pro, Version: 22H2, OS build: 19045.2364, Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0)

I was able to isolate it down to the Curtains service.

 

the problem is when I run Microsoft Edge browser as an administrator, the browser opens (as Profile1 which is admin account) but immediately crashes Windows Explorer.  It then goes into a looping crash-open cycle I until I close the browser window.  As soon as Curtains service is disabled via msconfig (system configuration) using a selective startup, then I can open Edge (run as administrator) with no crash.

 

curtains
15,479 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. But, I can not reproduce your issue on my system. Refer screenshot below. The edge was running admin mode. Maybe some Edge add on that have conflicting issue with Curtains?

Thanks
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting basj, reply 1

Maybe some Edge add on that have conflicting issue with Curtains?

Sounds reasonable.

swsquish2, which extensions are you using with edge? Does the crash loop occur when using edge in non-administrator mode, as well?

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

These are the extensions on Edge:

Adblock Plus - free ad blocker

Block YouTube™ ads, pop-ups & fight malware!

 

Dark Reader

Dark mode for every website. Take care of your eyes, use dark theme for night and daily browsing.

 

Edge Translate

Translate what you want.

 

Enhancer for YouTube™

Take control of YouTube and boost your user experience!

 

Malwarebytes Browser Guard

The fastest and safest web browsing experience.

 

Norton Safe Web

Norton Safe Web provides protection from online threats while you browse the web.

 

PureVPN: #1 VPN Proxy to Unblock Internet

PureVPN for Microsoft Edge – The Best VPN Proxy with a 7-day FREE VPN Trial for Fast Streaming & Unblocking Internet with Privacy.

 

Save to Pocket

The easiest, fastest way to capture articles, videos, and more.

 

Search Tool

Quickly switch between customized search engines; Add a custom search engine in the right-click menu.

 

Search by Image

A powerful reverse image search tool, with support for various search engines, such as Google, Bing, Yandex, Baidu and TinEye.

 

Send to Google Maps™

An quickly way to search maps by address in any website

 

Tab Session Manager

Save and restore the state of windows and tabs. It also supports automatic saving.

 

Tweaks for YouTube

Seek, control volume, speed, and more with mouse and keyboard. Adjust player controls, progress bar, UI elements, process audio...

 

Video DownloadHelper

Download Videos from the Web

 

iCloud Passwords

iCloud Passwords lets you fill passwords created in Safari and apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac into websites in Edge.

 

I will try disabling them and see if it corrects the issue.

No all functions well when in admin and opening the browser, and within standard and opening the browser.

Error only occurs when opening Edge as admin under standard.

I actually discovered the error, when updating HWINFO64, and that app runs as admin.  When clicking update it opens a browser window under admin and the crash starts.  Then I tried just individually opening Edge as "Run as Administrator" and the same crash occurred.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Running any web browser as admin is not a good idea really and hwinfo64 launching a browser as admin would seem to be a bug in that product.

Is there any reason you need to run a browser as admin?

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

I don't need to run the browser as an admin, it was merely a way to consistently recreate the error that occurred when doing updates from 2 apps, HWINFO64 and Logitech Harmony.  It is mainly when apps try to launch the browser as admin the crash occurs.  But the same thing happens when I also try to launch the browser as an admin through a standard account.

So, I tried turning off all the extensions, but the crash still persists.

I will take this up with the creator of HWINFO64 though.  I purchased it, so hopefully he'll give support.

But still no idea why with curtains service off, if I launch an admin browser it crashes windows explorer.  I tried reinstalling Curtains, but no luck, still crashes.

It's not the biggest deal, just strange.  Currently I figured out how to launch Logitech Harmony as a standard user, instead of asking for admin rights, so that was one problem knocked down.  The next will be to tackle HWINFO64, which needs admin rights to access all the hardware; so it will just be requesting the author to change the way the browser calls are made... hopefully.  It will also just be something I'll need to look out for if any other app tries to launch an admin browser (for updates/homepage/etc.).

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Neither app should ever launch a web browser as admin, if the apps are designed to always run elevated then they should have taken that into account.

We can investigate the Curtains issue, but this is a pretty niche issue so I cannot give you any timelines.