Desktop Bridge-Powered Apps Are Safe To Use Now

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Earlier in the month, I warned Windows 10 users to stay away from Desktop Bridge-powered apps due to the risk of crashing their machine and potentially entering an endless boot loop.

Today, that alarm has been squelched.

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Microsoft pushed out a fix to Windows 10 users via a cumulative update dated October 27, 2016 (KB3197954). And you’re going to want to install this as soon as possible, because Microsoft published developer guidance suggesting developers make changes to prevent Desktop Bridge apps from running on unpatched versions of Windows 10.

In fact, as you read this, I’m making the recommended changes to Ear Trumpet. This change will keep new users safe and nudge existing users to install the update.

To verify the update is installed, Start search for “winver” and double-check that your OS version is 14393.351 or higher. If you’re using Windows Insider preview builds of Windows 10, you’ll want to be on build 14942 or higher.

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Conversation 15 comments

  • 5554

    28 October, 2016 - 5:39 pm

    <p>No thanks. &nbsp;What’s the point of taking a perfectly good Win32 program and sticking it in UWP jail? &nbsp;It won’t run on WMobile anyway, so what’s the benefit for consumers? &nbsp;Nada.</p>

    • 442

      28 October, 2016 - 7:39 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#23430">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/PeteB">PeteB</a><a href="#23430">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>Please keep your personal issues to yourself.</p>

    • 7356

      28 October, 2016 - 7:52 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#23430">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/PeteB">PeteB</a><a href="#23430">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>There are multiple advantages to the consumer. Clean uninstalls (instead of remnant registry keys and files), sandboxed applications to minimize impact of vulnerable code on the device, and easy installs on new devices. Very few programs can be removed without a trace. Aside from browsers, most programs do not sandbox their application which means that vulnerabilities in those programs can fully compromise your system. And finally, I have dozens of programs I download and install on each new PC that would be a breeze if I got it from the store.&nbsp;</p>
      <p>&nbsp;</p>
      <p>Those are all advantages without the developer using any of the additional capabilities that are possible such as live tiles and Cortana integrations.</p>

    • 5530

      28 October, 2016 - 11:59 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#23430">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/PeteB">PeteB</a><a href="#23430">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>And how is the Store UWP version of the same Win32 app a "jail"? You going to modify or reverse engineer Rafael’s app?</p>
      <p>The Store UWP version updates automatically and doesn’t create any mess in the registry. The benefits are clear.</p>

  • 224

    29 October, 2016 - 4:06 am

    <p>As a user of both Kodi and an AMD graphics card, YAY!</p>
    <p>I prefer the Store version of Kodi, as it has automatic updates and takes me one step closer to an empty Add/Remove Programs window in Control Panel 🙂 Awesome coverage of the issue btw, I thought it was Kodi’s fault when I installed it the first time and it crapped out, it’s great to point the finger in the right direction!</p>

  • 5553

    29 October, 2016 - 10:43 am

    <p>The bridge to nowhere ?</p>

  • 5394

    30 October, 2016 - 6:31 am

    <p>lol moment. Apps safe to use. Lol</p>

  • 5394

    30 October, 2016 - 6:33 am

    <p>Lol. We can declare Windows apps now safe to use. &nbsp;Lol!!!</p>

  • 5553

    30 October, 2016 - 4:01 pm

    <p>Looks like premium is a bust.</p>

  • 5234

    30 October, 2016 - 7:50 pm

    <p>Can we call Windows 10 safe to use yet?</p>
    <p>&nbsp;</p>
    <p>ROFLMAO. &nbsp;Of course not!</p>

    • 5530

      02 November, 2016 - 3:18 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#23721">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/Waethorn">Waethorn</a><a href="#23721">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>Windows 10, now knows as Windows NSFW. haha!</p>

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