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Power8 Portable Changelog

What's new in Power8 Portable 1.6.4 Build 1640

Aug 21, 2022
  • New:
  • Slovenian localization.

New in Power8 Portable 1.6.3 Build 1636 (Aug 19, 2022)

  • This release adds a new localization, Ukrainian, verified against a fresh Ukrainian installation of Windows 10! The translation has been done by the application team.
  • On top of this, it incorporates a couple of minor fixes and improvements from the past few years:
  • Improved the handling of environment variables.
  • Upgraded to .Net Framework 4.8. This means the application cannot unfortunately run on Windows XP anymore. Please use version 1.6.2 for Windows XP.
  • Improvement: when a Control Panel element is not properly registered under HKCR, pull Friendly Name from Control Panel namespace directly, without resource evaluation. This does not cover for the broken Intel RST, which manages to supply a resource DLL with truncated string table.
  • Fixed an InvalidOperationException on shutdown introduced in July 2014)))

New in Power8 Portable 1.6.2 Build 1628 (Oct 31, 2021)

  • This release adds a new localization, Greek, courtesy of George Georgiou!
  • On top of this, it incorporates a couple of minor fixes from the past few years:
  • Fixed InvalidCastException with Windows error RPC_E_WRONG_THREAD when Power8 was killed by installer on Windows 10.
  • Fix for Windows 10 v.1710, it manages package cache poorly and some system default packages have broken configuration.
  • Safer way of showing the about window. Previously it wouldn't crash the application, but will show with a delay if certain localizable metadata was not properly specified.

New in Power8 Portable 1.6.0.1616 (Nov 16, 2017)

  • Better Windows10 support, extended immersive apps support and numerous bugfixes. This release combines various ideas I had, small and large features and fixes that I occasionally made during last 2.5 years.
  • [new] Apps button showing the popup with immersive apps in Windows8/Windows10.
  • [new] Extended immersive apps suppoprt in Power8, including Windows 10 apps which had to be treated in it's own way.
  • [new] New way of working with internal db files:
  • More reliable and more often saving.
  • Automatically optimize applicable DBs size on save.
  • [changed] Windows10: adjusted buttonstack location when snapping to right, left or bottom.
  • [changed] Windows7: made it work better and look nicer.
  • [changed] Replaced the donation info in Donate window. It now pops up on the start of a newly installed version.
  • [changed] Switching autoupdater from wiki file store to github cloud, which should be more reliable.
  • [fixed] One more attempt to fix the "Collection has been modified" InvalidOperationEception on search. There were many sources of this issue, I hope this place was the last one.
  • [fixed] NullReferenceException exception occurring in rare cases involving Windows Search returning empty data set.
  • [fixed] ArgumentOutOfRange exception occurring in rare cases involving Windows Search.
  • [fixed] Warning message appearing when a CLSID-based shortcut is invoked from P8.
  • [fixed] A deadlock occurring if a device is removed and added within small amount of time (e.g. bad flash drive connection).
  • [fixed] A rare race condition occurring when editing the Most Frequently Used list.
  • [fixed] Exception when Programs folder is either moved away from start menu or is incorrectly set up in the system.
  • [fixed] ArgumentException in UserAssist data parser occurring under undiscovered conditions.
  • [fixed] ArgumentException in IApplicationDocumentsList call.

New in Power8 Portable 1.5.5.838 (Dec 2, 2014)

  • [changed] Removed duplicated using in NetManager;
  • [changed] Corrected internal file rename handling a bit;
  • [fixed-GA] Fixed argument exception occurring when FileStream is trying to wrap around non-overlapped drive handle;
  • [fixed-GA] Catch ComException in MfuList.GetJumpList() better;
  • [fixed-GA] Probably fixed InvalidOperationException "This visual is not connected to presentation source";
  • [fixed-GA] Fixing IndexOutOfRangeException in CommandToFilenameAndArgs();
  • [fixed-GA] Catching exceptions (ArgumentNullException) when upgrading previous settings;
  • [fixed-GA] Handling ArgumentException in FriendlyName getter;
  • [fixed-GA] Catch UnauthorizedAccessException as one more reason to not to be able to create a process watchdog;
  • [fixed-GA] Fixed ArgumentException in processing of file rename operation.

New in Power8 Portable 1.5.4.817 (Dec 2, 2014)

  • [new] Windows 10 support, initial version;
  • [changed] Enhanced Windows libraries parsing, should solve certain ArgumentExceptions;
  • [fixed] Fixed Power8 preventing removable drives to be safe-removed. Works for all technically removable drives types. Took 2 years but finally it's done;
  • [fixed-GA] Handle COMExceptions and ManagementExceptions occurring on startup of event watcher;
  • [fixed-GA] Handle COMExceptions and ManagementExceptions occurring in NetManager;
  • [fixed-GA] Handle IOException occurring in DriveManager when network drive is not available any more;
  • [fixed-GA] Handle IOException in ResolveLink when the lnk file is not found;
  • [fixed-GA] Fixed rare InvalidOperationException occurred when event on WatchDog arrives after the watchdog is stopped actually;
  • [fixed-GA] Fixed InvalidOperationException in MfuList.UpdateStartMfuSync():348;
  • [fixed-GA] Added lightweight synchronization between SearcStartMenuSyncFast and filesystems watchers actions. Solves rare InvalidOperationException.

New in Power8 Portable 1.5.3.796 (Jul 12, 2014)

  • [changed] Speed up exit of Power8.;
  • [fixed] Rare impossibility to exit when another application is being installed in the system;
  • [fixed] SecurityException when there's no default "Application Error" log in the system;
  • [fixed-GA] Various COMExceptions occurring when Power8 is exiting;
  • [fixed-GA] Win32Exception occurring when Power8 tries to restart. The application won't crash anymore but additional tracing is now in place to fix the root of problem as well;
  • [fixed-GA] ArgumentNullException occurring in Power8.PowerItemTree.ScanFolderSync when a Windows library is detected with itemnot preprocedd by system yet;
  • [fixed-GA] ArgumentNullException occurring in DataGrid.ScrollIntoView when pressing Up or Down keys in search results view when no results are found;
  • [fixed-GA] InvalidOperationException occurring in MfuList sometimes. At least I hope it's fixed because it wasn't clear how the issue happens;
  • [fixed-GA] PathTooLongException occurring in Power8.PowerItemTree.FileRenamed under undetermined circumstances;
  • [fixed-GA] ApplicationException occurring in Drive Manager when a .Net FileSystemWatcher-incompatible drive exists in the system;
  • [fixed-GA] ArgumentException occurring in various places under Power8.PowerItemTree.ScanFolderSync and related probably to drives with .Net-incompatible filesystem attached to PC. The application won't crash anymore but additional tracing is now in place to fix the root of problem as well;

New in Power8 Portable 1.5.2.777 (Jul 8, 2014)

  • [changed] Updated localizations: HU, KO, CS;
  • [fixed] Fixed concurrent IO preventing proper new style exceptions events reporting.

New in Power8 Portable 1.5.1.766 (Jul 7, 2014)

  • [new] Exceptions on start of application are handled differently, allowing user to prevent endless restarting loop;
  • [new] Other instances of Power8 are killed on startup of new one;
  • [new] Added UI checkbox for "Don't free libraries" hack;
  • [changed] Analytics: Extended exceptions logging for crashes;
  • [changed] Analytics: Report current UI language;
  • [fixed] Empty system variables names handling;
  • [fixed] Absolute path used for Rundll32 in Lock command;
  • [fixed] Possibly fixing FormatException in MfuList.

New in Power8 Portable 1.5.0.744 (Jun 9, 2014)

  • [new] Korean localization;
  • [new] Setting for stretching image on Main button in different ways;
  • [new] Setting to disable auto-corner feature (when setting is on, Main window aka Button-stack is always shown near Main button when Alt+Z is pressed);
  • [new] Settings to enable/disable confirmation and forcing of Power actions (shutdown, restart...);
  • [new] Setting to display Start Menu in more compact way;
  • [new] Now also unhandled exceptions are sent to Google Analytics;
  • [new] Added information to About dialog on the originating country of Power8;
  • [removed] Ukrainian translation. We need someone with UK Windows MUI running it on daily basis. Otherwise quality of translation will suffer;
  • [changed] Returned Russian translation to the MSI. The integrity of layout is more important than filthy souls of some Russian people;
  • [fixed] New items weren't put under Start Menu when they're originated from the User's start menu under Win8;

New in Power8 Portable 1.4.6.692 (Mar 29, 2014)

  • [new] Romanian and Ukrainian translation;
  • [new] Ctrl+Tab sends the selected item's path to the search bar when it or Recent list is in focus;
  • [new] Support for launching ModernUI apps when link is available (e.g. PhotoApp in Start Menu);
  • [removed] Russian translation from MSI. It will only be available through 7Zip archive;
  • [changed] Fine-tuned the Recent list display so that it doesn't use localized names for links from Start Menu as FriendlyName hints in case they contain additional arguments. This e.g. caused MMC.exe to be named "SQL server configuration tool" and CMD.exe to be named "Visual studio command line tool";
  • [fixed] Opposite side of system ReBar moving out of view under W7classic in case Configure Start Button is on;
  • [fixed] Fixed launching RAD Studio 2009 - XE3 from Power8. Fix may also influence other problems end-user might experience with other software;
  • [fixed] Power8 exiting without any other actions after "Download and Update" button in case the update can be discovered but cannot be downloaded;
  • [fixed] Some logging code (doesn't affect end-users);
  • [fixed] Exception preventing reporting Analytics events on 1st launch.

New in Power8 Portable 1.4.5.666 (Feb 5, 2014)

  • [new] Serbian, Croatian and Czech localization;
  • [new] Hack against doubling icons in Control Panel menu-button under Windows 8.1, see DuplicatedIconsHack for details;
  • [new] Key X is now used to expand/collapse current search group;
  • [new] Power8 now watches environment variables changes and propagates them to child processes on launch;
  • [new] Instead of deprecated Downloads page, Power8 uses Google analytics to track downloads and launches;
  • [changed] Most operations are moved to thread pool. This doesn't make them faster but Power8's should impact system load less;
  • [changed] Icon extraction is making even less influence on the application performance;
  • [changed] Update Notification dialog: progress bar is shown only when download started;
  • [fixed] Search returning unexpectedly big amount of results;
  • [fixed] Format of logging;
  • [fixed] IndexOutOfRangeException occurring when pressing P in search results and item selected is not from Recent applications list;
  • [fixed] InvalidOperationException after Alt+Z being pressed before launch-time initialization is finished;
  • [fixed] InvalidOperationException when the process is launched on Enter key faster than search finishes;
  • [fixed] Update Notification dialog was not auto-sizable, and layout of buttons was broken;
  • [fixed] Main button's context menu and tooltip layout on Windows7 with Aero disabled (they were partially hidden by toolbar; this doesn't fix that the button itself is hidden by Start button on W7classic by default).

New in Power8 Portable 1.4.4.628 (Sep 18, 2013)

  • [new] Arabic localization;
  • [changed] Enhanced error handling. Now we get more information in case somethin goes wrong;

New in Power8 Portable 1.4.3.619 (Jul 15, 2013)

  • [new] Windows 8.1 Preview support including, but not limited to:
  • hiding of MS start button when P8 works;
  • P8's main button has minimum size now equal to 15 px (width of ShowDesktop button on W8);
  • incorrect taskbar buttons positioning on exit;
  • [new] Option to exchange the Start Menu with Search bar when taskbar is horizontal at the bottom of the screen. Benefit is that you have to less draw mouse from Power8 main button to Start Menu;
  • [new] Simplified Chinese localization;
  • [changed] Updated translations for all except de, es, fr, zh-TW;
  • [fixed] Invalid focus after double Alt+Z;
  • [fixed] Display of certain localized CPL items under non-Unicode environment (proper version of LoadString() used);
  • [unconfirmed fix] Issue19: no feedback from issue reporter, but I hope the bug is fixed now. NullReferenceException when Admin Tools folder cannot be inferred from Start Menu;

New in Power8 Portable 1.4.2.599 (May 2, 2013)

  • [new] Complete key handling for recent list (P to (un-)pin an item, Right / Left arrow opens jump list; Recent list must be focused for these keys to operate). Now really all features of Power8 can be accessed without using of mouse;
  • [changed] Enhanced performance of file system event watching (moved FS watching to deferred processing in dedicated thread);
  • [changed] Replaced Main button logo again. No re-use of MS logo now;
  • [fixed] Random exceptions in Recent list when you select items with mouse;
  • [fixed] Random issue occuring when you try to launch an application via Recent list, and another app is launched instead;
  • [fixed] Exception in MfuList in case object added to custom list earlier was deleted from system;
  • [fixed] Exception in MfuList in case link object added to custom list earlier was corrupted (reported by Maxim Orlov);
  • [fixed] Exception on WindowsXP on shutdown of Power8 (processes event watcher COM object was created in wrong thread);
  • [fixed] Exception in DriveManager if network share becomes unavailable under certain (domain related) circumstances (reported by Brian Taylor);
  • [fixed] Warning sign not disappearing after "Check for updates" was unchecked;
  • [fixed] Exclusions list (settings window) might be too high after a lot of items are added to exclusions;
  • [fixed] Issue occurring when a link under Start Menu folder is being changed, and an item in Recent list exists that takes the name of a link as Friendly Name to display, AND in case this change might influence the item's representation - this information wasn't stored to the link object, and thus required Power8 to restart to apply required representation changes;

New in Power8 Portable 1.4.1.569 (Mar 14, 2013)

  • [new] New settings hack implemented to provide fix to users of Windows7 x86 where some unexpected component exists which prevents Power8 from working in a normal way (wiki article pending);
  • [changed] Colors on Power8 button were changed to be not like Microsoft logo which is a TM;
  • [changed] Updated and synchronized localizations for ES, FI, HU, IT, SV, PT, NL;
  • [changed] Switch User button will be hidden on OS that don't support it natively (i.e. Windows 8 "home");
  • [changed] Corrected layout of button stack a bit. Now all items in grid have the same height and text is centered vertically;
  • [fixed] Fixed rare exception after frequently used object is removed from system;
  • [fixed] Fixed WMI event watcher not being freed on P8 shutdown;
  • [fixed] Fixed Invalid Operation Exception that occurred in rare cases when system was recovering after sleep;

New in Power8 Portable 1.4.0.555 (Dec 19, 2012)

  • [new] Drag&Drop in User-configurable MFU list. Drag any file, link or folder onto Power8 button and it will appear on Custom launch List;
  • [new] "Switch User" command;
  • [new] Flexible updater:
  • no more annoying message boxes on system startup;
  • updater tries to reach server three times with different wait periods until gives up;
  • when updater gives up - it shows warn sign on Power8 button just like for invalid settings, and adds corresponding text to the tooltip;
  • last but not the least: updater switched to the scheduling from timer, so now if you turn on your PC after 12 hours of sleeping, updater will try to check for updates immediately, and not in some hours as before.
  • [new] Option to switch between Control panel and "All control panel items" to show when you click "Control panel" button in Power8 window;
  • [changed] Donation information stripped away from About dialog, a corresponding menu item added (hideable via settings);
  • [changed] Updated ES localization up to 1.3;

New in Power8 Portable 1.3.0.524 (Nov 26, 2012)

  • [new] Hungarian translation;
  • [new] French translation;
  • [new] 2 new modes for launch list (changeable via settings dialog):
  • power8-data-based (applications / links only);
  • user-configurable (applications / links / files / folders / Control Panel elements; order by CTRL+Up/Down);
  • [changed] Now Power8 supports Windows display font scaling - 125%, 150%, etc.;
  • [fixed] Windows 8: taskbar state is now restored when Power8 exits;
  • [fixed] Control Panel display crashed because of Connexant Audio on Compaq C700;
  • [fixed] Deadlock occurring when drive is added to the system (e.g. flash drive);
  • [fixed] Invalid context menu placement in top-left corner when taskbar window is hidden;
  • [fixed] Typo in Ru-translation (in settings dialog);
  • [fixed] Search marker (text "Searching...") appearing sometimes when you open main window;
  • [fixed] Icon extraction for files with Cyrillic chars in path on OS with 1251 default ANSI codepage;

New in Power8 Portable 1.2.1.0 (Oct 31, 2012)

  • [new] Portuguese translation (fits both European and Brazilian);
  • [new] Turkish translation;
  • [new] Chinese (Taiwan) translation;
  • [changed] Updated Spanish localization;
  • [fixed] Error preventing Power8 from starting up on systems with outdated network connections, i.e. the network drives that utilizes connection that cannot be restored, or with drives completely encrypted by TrueCrypt.

New in Power8 Portable 1.2.0.0 (Oct 23, 2012)

  • [new] Finnish translation;
  • [new] Project donation info;
  • [new] Settings window updated:
  • Settings for menu-buttons visibility (label is system name);
  • Ability to switch auto-sorting on;
  • Configurable name for "All programs" item;
  • Editable search providers;
  • Ability to auto-restart application when fatal error occurs;
  • [changed] Saving more resources resolving links;
  • [changed] Enhanced UI a bit;
  • [changed] Limited Jump-List items count to 25;
  • [fixed] Update notification window may not display version strings;
  • [fixed] 7/8: Data grid icons and text are blurred though sizes of blocks are ok;
  • [fixed] 7classic: button is unreachable (almost) => resolved as config setting;
  • [fixed] issue preventing Power8 from showing the start menu when corrupted link exist;
  • [fixed] the selectedItem may not have been changed until user presses enter (UI faster than data layer).

New in Power8 Portable 1.0.2.0 (Sep 6, 2012)

  • [new] Dutch localization;
  • [new] Italian localization;
  • [changed] Now we won't add entries to P8's own Jump List if the parent process of the launched one is started not by our user;
  • [changed] From now on, Welcome arrow will be hidden as only user moves the mouse over the main button;
  • [changed] Now all localizations are inside single file;
  • [fixed] Fixed bug when trying to open folder for deleted item when it was previously put to Jump Lists:
  • now we filter out these files also from P8's Jumo Lists;
  • the exception is handled in the menu item click handler as well;
  • [fixed] Couple of bugs in Pin/Unpin button:
  • ArgumentOutOfRange exception when unpinning old items that would normally be filtered out as obsolete;
  • Now we handle exception if the (un)pinned item is not available at the moment of (un)pinning;
  • Now the pin icon will be shown for MFU children only, preventing user from trying to pin the unpinnable stuff;
  • [fixed] Under extremely rare conditions, when an FS event for the folder comes at the same time with whatever way called Items evaluation for the same folder, two threads may reside at AddSubItem() at the same time. And if 1st thread's Send() will be executed in parallel with 2nd thread's FirstOrDefault -> here is InvalidOperationException thrown. Fixed now.

New in Power8 Portable 1.0.1.0 (Aug 7, 2012)

  • [new] German localization;
  • [fixed] If you leave Power8 running for weekend and we will issue a new version this time, only one Update Notification window will appear (previously: 4-5);
  • [fixed] Exception in file system events handling when Power8 may unexpectedly crash when you work with network files or run an installer;
  • [fixed] XP: certain windows were not re-shown when expected;
  • [fixed] CTRL+Click on Main button will now always show Run dialog;
  • [fixed] 1 line in RU localization;
  • [fixed] W7: Power8 might crash when you just started it and switch from classic theme to Aero and vice-versa;
  • [fixed] W7: no black background when switch from classic theme to Aero and vice-versa;

New in Power8 Portable 1.0.0.0 (Jul 25, 2012)

  • [new] About window;
  • [new] Icon and logo;
  • [fixed] Now Power8 is able to start up and work even if Workstation service is shut down;