In this article, we will explore the process of uninstalling Explorer Patcher from Windows 11. Explorer Patcher is a third-party software that enables users to customize the appearance and functionality of Windows Explorer, the official file management tool of Windows. With Explorer Patcher, users can modify system files to change aspects like color schemes, icons, and other user interface elements. However, it is worth noting that Explorer Patcher has been known to cause compatibility and instability issues with other software and updates to the operating system. It can also limit users’ ability to retrieve files and folders, and may even cause Windows Explorer to crash abruptly and prevent it from performing its tasks.
Therefore, it is generally recommended that users uninstall Explorer Patcher if they no longer require its functionality. This article will present three different methods for uninstalling Explorer Patcher from your Windows 11 system, complete with step-by-step instructions for each method so that you can choose the one that works best for you.
Uninstall Explorer Patcher From Windows 11
Users have raised concerns about the security of File Explorer, as it can cause various issues on their computer. Although it is not a virus, some users may wish to uninstall Explorer Patcher. Fortunately, there are three methods available to accomplish this task:
1. Using Control Panel
Similar to other installed programs, you can uninstall Explorer Patcher from the Programs and Features section in the Control Panel. Here are the steps to follow for successful removal:
- Press the Windows key to open the Start menu, type “Control Panel,” and select the relevant search result.
- In the Control Panel, change the View to “Category” and then select “Uninstall a Program.”
3. Once you’re in the “Uninstall a Program” window, find the Explorer Patcher program from the list of installed applications. Right-click on it and select the “Uninstall” option.
4. After selecting the “Uninstall” option for Explorer Patcher, a User Account Control prompt will appear asking for confirmation. Click on the “Yes” button to proceed with the uninstallation process.
Once you have successfully uninstalled Explorer Patcher using the Control Panel method, your computer’s taskbar will revert to its default settings. This indicates that the Explorer Patcher software has been completely removed from your computer.
2. Using Command Prompt
If you prefer using Command Line Interface (CLI) instead of Graphical User Interface (GUI), you can uninstall Explorer Patcher from Windows 11 using the Windows Command Prompt. The method is simple and outlined below:
- Open the File Explorer app using the Windows + E shortcut combination.
- Navigate to the directory where the Explorer Patcher installation file (ep.setup.exe) is located.
- Type “cmd” in the address bar of File Explorer and press the Enter key.
4. Once you have opened the Command Prompt, you can proceed to enter the command needed to uninstall Explorer Patcher. You can type or copy-paste the command provided below and press the Enter key to execute it:
ep_setup.exe/uninstall
5. Once you execute the command, a confirmation pop-up will appear asking for your confirmation to uninstall Explorer Patcher. Click on the Yes button to approve the uninstallation.
After successfully removing the Explorer Patcher from your computer using Command Prompt, you will notice that the Taskbar and File Explorer have returned to the original appearance of Windows 11. This indicates that the Explorer Patcher has been completely uninstalled from your system.
3. By Renaming the Executable File
If the above methods fail, you can try a workaround to uninstall Explorer Patcher from your Windows 11 PC. This workaround involves renaming the downloaded Explorer Patcher.exe file and then running it. Follow the steps below:
- Go to the location where you downloaded the File Explorer .exe file.
2. Right-click the executable file and choose the rename option. Remember, you have to rename the file as ep_uninstall.exe.
3. After renaming the downloaded Explorer Patcher.exe file, double-click on it to run the file. A pop-up will appear, asking if you are sure you want to remove ExplorerPatcher from your computer. Click on Yes to confirm the uninstallation.
How to Remove Explorer Patcher Settings From Windows 11?
According to some users, the three methods mentioned above may not completely remove Explorer Patcher settings from the registry, causing potential issues with File Explorer functionality. To ensure complete removal of the software and its settings, modifying the registry with the registry editor is necessary after uninstalling Explorer Patcher from Windows 11.
1. Press the Windows key, type Registry Editor in the Search bar, and choose the relevant search result.
2. In the Registry Editor window, type or paste the following location to access the Explorer Patcher keys.
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareExplorerPatcher 
3. Here, right-click the Explorer Patcher key on the left panel and choose the Delete option from the context menu.
4. Confirm the deletion of the registry key and sub-keys by pressing the Yes button.
5. Access the next Explorer Patcher key at the following location.
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerExplorerPatcher6. Right-click the Explorer Patcher key in the left pane and click Delete.
7. Press the Yes button once again to confirm the action.
You have successfully removed the Explorer Patcher settings from your Windows 11 PC using the Registry Editor.
Conclusion
In this guide, we have discussed several methods to uninstall Explorer Patcher from Windows 11. Explorer Patcher is a third-party software that allows users to customize the appearance and functionality of Windows Explorer. However, it can cause instability or compatibility issues with other software or updates to the operating system. Therefore, it is recommended to uninstall Explorer Patcher if you no longer need it.
The first method to uninstall Explorer Patcher is via the Control Panel’s Programs and Features section. The second method is via Command Prompt, and the third method is a workaround that requires renaming the downloaded Explorer Patcher.exe file and executing it.
After the successful uninstallation of Explorer Patcher, it is essential to delete its settings from the registry editor to prevent any interference with the File Explorer functionality.
By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, you can uninstall Explorer Patcher from your Windows 11 PC with ease.
