compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

2023-10-11 16:36:34

I just got 2023-10 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5031354), which was known with new file explorer.
And I noticed that when I open file explorer (any method, such as using win+e, clicking icon in start menu, opening a folder on the desktop, etc) the window of fb2k will flash once. The title and frame is fine, and remaining elements (menu bar, all panels in the platform) will flash.
I think M$ broke something, but other software I use did not have such issue, so I reported here, maybe you can find the problem. Thank you!
fb2k version is 2.0 stable and latest 2.1 preview (2023-10-11), and I use Nvidia RTX 2080 super with latest driver 537.58 (also tried on an old driver, the issue is same.) hope it will be helpful.

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #1 – 2023-10-11 17:02:55

That doesn't sound normal and I don't see that happening. Have you confirmed that the flashing happens with a clean portable install to rule out third party components? Right now I struggle to imagine why Explorer would affect foobar. If it happens with clean portable install too, perhaps Process Monitor log would show something.

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #2 – 2023-10-12 00:05:24

Does not happen with Columns UI (exception: visualizations).

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #3 – 2023-10-12 09:40:30

I can reproduce with Default UI. Parts of the UI flicker (such as text and borders).

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #4 – 2023-10-12 09:50:32

I just arrived home and I did the test on my another PC (Intel NUC, with integrated GPU Iris Xe, I never install fb2k on this platform.) I tried portable installation and I reproduced the same issue.
Also, I tried a clean installation on the previous PC and saw the same issue again.
Default UI, yes, I use Default UI.

One more useful info: I have a 4K monitor running under 120Hz with my PC through DP1.4, and NUC connected with a 2K monitor with 144Hz, both of them under 8bit (non-FRC).

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #5 – 2023-10-13 03:15:13

On win11 23H2 22635.2419, opening the File Explorer will also cause text to flicker

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #6 – 2023-10-13 07:48:29

Problem noted, thanks for reporting.

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #7 – 2023-10-13 11:21:50

Some insights / thoughts / ramblings

foobar2000 v1.6.x has this problem as well, so it's not something I changed recently.
I have two Windows 11 machines, both reporting 10.0.22621.2428. One of them has the bug, the other does not.
When Explorer starts, foobar2000 main window receives a registered message (see MSDN RegisterWindowMessage). Exact code, in 0xC000+ range, obviously varies between machines / will probably change with system restart. This message occurs on both machines; on the machine with the bug it is followed by WM_SYNCPAINT, WM_NCPAINT, WM_PAINT and so on.
Unfortunately I'm unable to identify the message because Spy++ is broken on both machines, doesn't log messages. Know any other way of identifying this? oops, VS defaults to launching 32bit spy++ that can't log messages from 64bit processes and isn't telling why.

Edit: the message fb2k gets is "ShellFileOpened"

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #8 – 2023-10-13 11:47:51

Follow up rant

This hits every most simple window I could make.

The only way to make it go away is WM_ERASEKGND suppression, which Columns UI seems to be good at, better than my code, so it's not obviously affected by this problem, though it's still redrawing stuff, just does a better job hiding it than Default UI.

Pretty much all apps on my system (FileZilla, Notepad++, even Spy++ from MS) are affected by this bug one way or another, with few notable exceptions. Please complain at Microsoft to fix this. Thanks.

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #9 – 2023-10-13 14:11:53

I submitted a report in the Windows Feedback Hub:

https://aka.ms/AAn2lri

Upvote it if you're affected by the problem and want it fixed.

(Also. this one could also do with some upvotes: https://aka.ms/AAjwm3y)

Re: compatibility issue with windows 11 22H2 new file explorer

Reply #10 – 2023-10-14 07:57:01

I'm glad you found out what the problem was, thank you. I just upvoted for the ticket, and I hope they will fix it within this century...