Thread: Fix for broken metro apps/Control Panel in Windows 8

Bump!

One more program that I've tried on win-7 and Win-8 is the New and Improved version of an old favorite "Easy Cleaner" from Toni Arts.
It was re-written to accommodate the weird format and registry in Vista, Win-7 and now Win-8.
The older version worked with '98 to XP Pro with never a problem, even on my fully tweaked and tuned XP-Pro-SP3. But on Visduh and up, it kind of got "Lost in Space". The NEW and Improved version took care of the problem.
Easy Cleaner is made up of several apps, even an Uninstaller and duplicate file finder. It does a great job of finding and removing JUNK files. I've used it on virtually hundreds of PC's, running every OS from '98 to Win-7 with narry a problem.

It does a great job of cleaning bad links out of the registry, but does not re-compress it. I use NTREGOPT for that. Again, a program that's very SAFE and effective. And FREE!

Merry Christmas Everyone!


PS: Take a look!
http://personal.inet.fi/business/ton...e.htm#download

This problem still exists in CCleaner 3.16/Windows 8 Consumer Preview!

Originally Posted by Mitchell_A

Well guys, I finally nailed the problem on the head today (mind you, I could have last week if I wasn't so lazy):

CCleaner (and any other registry cleaners) that scans for invalid shortcuts or application path references will delete three keys required by Windows 8 to display the metro CP, Windows Store and metro Remote Desktop. These keys are as follows:
Please note that in CCleaner, the problem arises when the user scans for invalid Start Menu/Desktop shortcuts from within the cleaning dialog, not the registry scanner.

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Store.lnk\C:\Users\Mitch\Desktop\notused

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Immersive Control Panel.lnk\C:\Users\Mitch\Desktop\notused

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Immersive RemoteDesktop.lnk\C:\Users\Mitch\Desktop\notused

So when using ANY registry cleaning software, be sure to look through the scan prior to removing keys and UNSELECT these three "invalid" shortcuts. Although, I still don't understand why this made the apps completely inaccessible (via some external links in the normal CP, etc) and quite frankly, I don't care.

Thanks for your help guys, and I hope this solves the problem for others as well

I've had this install now since Windows 8 CP was released. And CCleaner is one of my main apps, and has been for years. I've used the registry cleaner, but I always backup the repairs in My Documents.

That being said, will I have problems with Windows 8 CP? I don't plan to go to the App Store anytime soon.

Cat

Hey Cat:
I think if you read Mitchell's careful and considerably in-depth analysis of this problem you will find that he has determined that the problem only occurs if you purposely select Start Menu Shortcuts under the "System" section of the Scanner (not the registry cleaner tool).
I do not believe that is a default setting so running Ccleaner with defaults shouldn't be an issue.
If you would like to examine the specifics of the issue yourself you can check the "Start Menu Shortcuts" checkbox and run Analyze (Do Not "Run Cleaner"). You will see the results include three files, if you double click that line you will see exactly the three files he has pinpointed.
Uncheck "Start Menu Shortcuts" and close Ccleaner.
Still a good product, you just need to be a bit careful as with all such products.
HTH
Randy

Those boxes are pre-checked when one installs CCleaner. I uncheck a couple myself when installing. For the time being, I'll uncheck all of the "System" options.

Cat

Trouble is correct, catt. The normal default, even if in the secure mode, is that those items are unchecked. By coincidence, I was installing new software on a computer, at the time these posts were made. I took the opportunity to look at the "presets" of a virgin install of Ccleaner.

Randy
You're right you do have to be careful with all of the registry cleaners. Some are a real disaster I learned the hard way. I've always had good luck with Ccleaner and the default settings. I think some people over estimate their computer knowledge when going into the optional settings. That and they obsess about cleaning every possible thing they can find They think isn't needed.
Joe

Originally Posted by davehc

Trouble is correct, catt. The normal default, even if in the secure mode, is that those items are unchecked. By coincidence, I was installing new software on a computer, at the time these posts were made. I took the opportunity to look at the "presets" of a virgin install of Ccleaner.

It may have changed in the last few days. Those options where pre-checked when I installed CCleaner before.

I need to install it on my fresh install of Windows 8 CP on my notebook. I'll look and see what's checked already.

Cat