VG Windows 11 Patch Tool
========================

A tool to fix the startup issue of VG applications that occurs under recent Windows 11 updates.

Requirements
============

- Windows 11
- Administrator rights
- The two files "VGWindows11PatchTool.exe" and "AxRepairKB5074105.exe" kept in the
  same folder when running the packaged application
- One or more supported Volume Graphics products:
  myVGL, VGCORE, VGinLINE approver, VGnLINE WORKER, VGMETROLOGY,
  VGProject Runtime, VGSTUDIO, or VGSTUDIO MAX


Using the application
=====================

1. Start the tool

   Launch VGWindows11PatchTool.exe.

   The application requests administrator privileges because it patches
   software installed in protected locations such as Program Files.

2. Review detected VG installations

   It lists every detected installation under "Detected versions:".

   Each row is shown as:

     <Product> <Version> - <Installation path>

   If no supported installation is found automatically, the list shows a
   message and you can add folders manually.

3. Add a custom path

   Click "Add folder..." to browse to an installation directory that was not
   found automatically.

   Custom folders are added as selectable entries labelled "Custom".

4. Select installations to patch

   Enable the checkbox for every installation you want to patch.

   If you click "Apply patch" without selecting anything, the application
   shows a warning and does not continue.

5. Confirm the warning

   Click "Apply patch".

   The tool then shows this warning:

     Applying the patch will change .exe and .dll files contained in the
     selected folders. As a result, the signature of these files will become
     invalid. Depending on your antivirus software settings this may trigger
     threat warnings or mitigation measures.

     Applying the patch can't be undone, but of course the unpatched version
     may be restored using the original software installer.

     This tool is provided as-is and comes with no warranties.

   - Click "Cancel" to stop.
   - Click "Continue" to launch patching.

6. Patch execution behavior

   When you continue, the application opens one Command Prompt window for each
   selected installation.

   Each terminal runs this command form:

     echo y | AxRepairKB5074105.exe "<installation-path>"

   The terminal windows remain open after the command finishes so you can
   inspect the tool output and exit code.

7. Startup result dialog

   After the launch attempt finishes, the GUI reports whether the patch process
   could be started. The actual patch output is shown in the terminal windows.


Using AxRepairKB5074105.exe manually
====================================

AxRepairKB5074105.exe can also be run manually from an elevated Command Prompt.

Syntax:

  echo y | AxRepairKB5074105.exe "<installation-path>"

Argument:

  <installation-path>  Full path to a Volume Graphics installation directory.

  Note: Also the path "." is supported for cases where you have to copy the
  AxRepairKB5074105.exe into the destination folder. This is the case if the
  folder contains characters that are not supported by the repair-tool.

Example:

  echo y | AxRepairKB5074105.exe "C:\Program Files\Volume Graphics\VGSTUDIO MAX 2024"


Important notes
===============

- Run as Administrator. The patch modifies files in protected installation
  directories.
- Backup files will be generated. The tool creates backup files (*.bak) to make
  sure the original files are not lost.
- Antivirus warnings are possible. Patching changes the signature state of
  .exe and .dll files, which may trigger antivirus or endpoint protection
  alerts.