Reader Support
Why won’t Process Explorer run?
Why won’t Process Explorer run?
QI followed Issue 544’s Windows 11 article. Everything went well but while Process Hacker ( www. snipca.com/30037) installed OK, it wouldn’t launch. Instead, I get an error saying the file can’t be accessed. I’m the only person to use my PC, so I’m automatically the administrator. I have tried running it as an administrator but that doesn’t work either. My PC runs the 64bit edition of Windows 10, with the October Update installed. The Process Hacker download does not specify whether it’s for 32bit or 64bit. Could this be the problem? James Tait
AThe download page does state that Process Hacker is compatible with both 32- and 64bit setups (under ‘System requirements’), so that’s not the problem.
In the first instance we’d try reinstalling. If that doesn’t work, check the program file’s permissions. First, press Windows key+e to launch File Explorer then navigate to C:\program Files\process Hacker 2 (or wherever you installed it). Next, right-click Processexplorer.exe and then choose Properties. Click to select the Security tab and then click Administrators and, under Permissions, make sure ‘Full control’ is ticked. If not, click Edit and then tick it before clicking OK. If it still doesn’t work, repeat this step for the Users group.
Was your Office advice correct?
QIssue 545’s ‘Should you upgrade to Office 2019?’ feature gave me food for thought. I currently use Office 2013. However, the panel on page 62, headed ‘Are old versions of Office safe?’, raised concerns. I always update my software, use antivirus software and run regular checks for unwanted bugs and so on. If I’m being this cautious, not clicking links anywhere, not downloading non-recommended programs and not opening any unknown Office files, then what is the problem with running an unsupported version of Office? I mean, if all I do with it is to write things for me to use or send to other people and never open any attachments they send me, then where is the problem? Does your advice need clarifying? Fraser Drummond
AWe don’t think so, but we’re happy to reassure you by exploring this a little more. In that panel we were talking specifically about versions of Office that Microsoft no longer supports, as these will only ever become less safe to use.
Obviously, following the practices you describe would reduce the risks for anyone using an unsupported Office edition. However, by definition, any unsupported edition of a program will no longer receive fixes for any new flaws that might be found. That means there can be no promises that continued use will in all circumstances be safe.
But in your case none of this matters. You’re using Office 2013 and Microsoft support for that version is scheduled to continue until April 2023 (see screenshot above) – so you’ve nothing to worry about for a few years yet.
Where’s my ‘Clipboard history’?
QI tried to enable the ‘Clipboard history’ function in my up-todate Windows 10, as described on page 55 of Issue 544. However, when I click the Start menu’s Settings cog followed by System, I then don’t see the option. I called Microsoft, who said that in my version (1803) this is no longer available, and has been discontinued. Is this really the case? If so, is there any way I can restore it? John Humphrey
AWe don’t know who you spoke to at Microsoft, or what you said to them, but either they got the wrong end of the stick or they flat out gave you duff information.
The answer to your problem is actually contained within your question – your computer is still running the 1803 edition of Windows 10, aka the April 2018 Update. While your copy of 1803 might itself be up to date, you should understand that it is not the latest version of Windows 10. That honour is currently held by the October Update, or 1809. Clipboard history was introduced with 1809 (see screenshot above), so it won’t exist on a PC that’s running 1803 – and never has. Moreover, you won’t see it until your Windows 10 updates itself to 1809.
We would’ve expected that to have happened by now. To force Windows to check for 1809, click Start followed by the Settings cog, and then ‘Update & Security’ followed by Windows Update, and then ‘Check for updates’. However, as happens when Microsoft releases every update, there’re no guarantee when it’ll be made available to you. For more insight on this point, read our answer to Mike Boyle’s question on page 67.