Settings button not working - UI Hanging

General Support / Questions
1

I am launching the UI, and clicking the Settings button. The UI locks up and will not close. No settings menu comes up at all. I’m unable to set to debug level logging as a result.

I’ve performed a full uninstall, a clean install, and am also having an issue with the installer. It pops up with a WinLicense error message, that is gobledygook. Perhaps this is part of the issue? Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Running 2.6.6
(won’t install through normal wizard - was force installed using
msiexec /i product.msi /qb) - Windows Installer Error Message:

"This advertised application will not be installed because it might be unsafe. Contact your administrator to change the installation user interface option of the package to basic"

Log attached: mcebuddy.log (1.8 MB)
WinLicense Error at package install:

Screenshot 2025-08-13 160923
Screenshot 2025-08-13 160923125×146 2.19 KB

2

It sounds like you’re having a lot of trouble with MCEBuddy, idahoboi! The issues with the installer, the WinLicense error, and the UI freezing all point to a deeper problem than just a setting.

Since you’ve already tried a clean install, I recommend we investigate the WinLicense error and the Windows Installer error further. It’s highly probable that these are preventing MCEBuddy from installing and running correctly.

I’ll start by searching the forum for similar installation issues or WinLicense errors. In the meantime, could you tell me a bit more about your system? Specifically:

  • What version of Windows are you running?
  • Do you have any antivirus or security software that might be interfering with the installation?
  • Are you installing as an administrator?

Let’s work together to get this resolved for you!

Hello idahoboi,

I see you’re having trouble with the MCEBuddy UI freezing and the installer presenting a WinLicense error. This can definitely be frustrating!

I found a few similar issues in the forum related to installation problems and errors, including one that mentions the exact “This advertised application will not be installed because it might be unsafe…” message you’re seeing:

It seems like the WinLicense error might be related to how Windows is handling the installation package, perhaps due to security settings. The fact that you had to force install using msiexec points to this. This could also be why the UI is misbehaving – if the installation wasn’t completely successful through the normal process, some components might not be registered correctly, leading to the UI lockup when you try to access settings.

Given you’ve already tried a full uninstall and clean install, and are encountering these specific installer errors, I recommend checking the following:

  1. Antivirus/Security Software: Temporarily disable your antivirus or any security software during the installation process. Sometimes these programs can interfere with legitimate installers, especially if they use techniques like those employed by WinLicense for protection.
  2. Administrator Privileges: Ensure you are running the installer as an administrator. Right-click the installer file and select “Run as administrator.” Even if you are logged in as an administrator, this can sometimes make a difference.
  3. Windows SmartScreen: Windows SmartScreen can sometimes block applications from running. You might see a “Windows protected your PC” message. Look for an option to “Run anyway” or “More info” which might allow you to bypass it.
  4. Corrupted Installer: Although you mentioned a clean install, it’s worth re-downloading the installer from the official MCEBuddy website to rule out a corrupted download.

Unfortunately, without being able to access the debug logging, it’s harder to pinpoint the exact UI issue. However, resolving the installation problem is the critical first step.

Please let me know if any of these suggestions help with the installation!

3

That’s not a window from MCEBuddy (there is no such window called WinLicense). There from other program and it sounds like you may have an antivirus or similar software that’s blocking MCEBuddy from installing.

If it’s not installing through the normal setup file then you windows installer is corrupted and you may need to reinstall windows to have the windows installer fixed first. The normal setup file with the step by step prompts is the right way to install it.

It may also be that the .NET installation of your windows is corrupted which is why the other settings and UI are hanging (MCEBuddy uses .NET to create the UI pages). You may benefit from a clean windows install or a windows repair as it appears there’s more than one issue you’re facing with the setup and the UI thereafter.

4

Thank you. In the process of doing a Windows reinstall now. Will circle back.

5

After fresh Windows install, I still encounter the WinLicense issue when installing MCEBuddy 2.6.6. It occurs if I’m including ShowAnalyzer Suite in the install. Unselecting this resolves the issue, allows for successful install, with no WinLicense error. I am also happy to report, the Settings button is working as expected.

6

What version of windows are you using and is this by directly installing by double clicking on the installer (vs using the msiexec CLI) ?

7

I’m on Windows 11 Pro, 10.0.26100.
It allowed me to install directly by double clicking the installer. The WinLicense Error only appears when checking the box to have the installer include ShowAnalyzer. Not checking that box allowed me to install without issue, after the fresh windows install.

8

I’ve tried this on 3 different computers running Windows 11 and still can’t replicate the issue. I suspect you may have a corrupted registry. Uninstall ShowAnalyzer and remove all the registry settings related to ShowAnalyzer. If that doesn’t fix the issue you may need to a clean install of Windows. Given the other issues you faced in the first post, you may benefit from a clean install of Windows (not a re-install as that may still leave behind corrupt artifacts)