BUG: ExamDiff improperly comparing shortcut (.lnk) files causes slowness

[psguru]

Are you saying that a lnk file which contains (as target) eg "C:\This\That\Other\Somefile.xyz" will ALWAYS be shown as not equal to one that contains (say) "C:\This\That\%blah1%\%blah2%" no matter what the two environment variables' values happen to be for the person who is running the compare? (Or perhaps I mean the implied runner, as EDP might be being run by one user under Admin auth so vars would be resolved from the Admin user's pov.)

Probably. Link files are compare byte-by-byte, and i don't know enough of their internal structure to argue one way or another.

So the /compare/ is being strict, but if the comparer has turned on display of the Target column, they won't necessarily see clearly why some shortcuts have been flagged non-equal - the /displayed/ values could be identical but the shortcut contents not...?

Correct. Just like with any other binary files (you know what I'm talking about) that were not processed by plug-ins.

If that IS the case ... I re-iterate - how should a user who want to know whether individual shortcuts have entirely literal definitions or partially/wholely symbolic ones use EDP in a way that will be cleary shown?

They can't. Unless they use a plug-in that convert shortcuts to text.

[MSpagni]

What is the "target" column supposed to show?
In the directory comparison that column is always empty, including the .lnk files.

N.B. In the 32 bit version the "target" column is not allowed.

P.S. Intalling v. 16.0.0.7 the 32 bits asked me if I wanted to remove the previous version (16.0.0.5), the 64 bits didn't.

[psguru]

It's supposed to show (and does) show targets for shortcuts and symbolic links:

Screenshot 2025-03-26 101458.png (72.5 KiB) Viewed 22397 times

N.B. In the 32 bit version the "target" column is not allowed.

You mean Windows XP, right? If so, targets are only available on Vista and up

P.S. Intalling v. 16.0.0.7 the 32 bits asked me if I wanted to remove the previous version (16.0.0.5), the 64 bits didn't.

What does the setup log have?

[MSpagni]

It's supposed to show (and does) show targets for shortcuts and symbolic links:

Like here? (N.B. Win 10)

Clipboard01.jpg (51.11 KiB) Viewed 22369 times

You mean Windows XP, right? If so, targets are only available on Vista and up

Not surprising and expected.

What does the setup log have?

Please look yourself for XP. (See attachment).
I'm unable to find the log file for 10.

[psguru]

Like here?

I'll need your test sample to debug.

Please look yourself for XP. (See attachment).
I'm unable to find the log file for 10.

Please use OS version along with the bitness, it's hard to follow sometimes. The log you attached shows that a previous installation was found, so the Uninstall check box should have been shown.

[MSpagni]

Silly me!
The log file for Win10 was in the temp dir of the administrator, not in mine as a normal user.

[psguru]

The log from Windows 10 has lines like this:

Code: Select all

2025-03-26 17:45:21.010   [EDP]: Checking previous installation using Registry key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ExamDiff Pro 15.0_is1"

It shows that the setup was not able to find previous installations in your registry. I can't verify this but if you want, go ahead and check those registry keys. Also, did Apps and Features show any EDP version?

[MSpagni]

I'll need your test sample to debug.

It looks ridiculous, but the recent experience taught.
You can find it here attached.

Please use OS version along with the bitness, it's hard to follow sometimes.

Sorry, you're right. There are in the wild 32 bits versions that are quite different from XP.

The log you attached shows that a previous installation was found, so the Uninstall check box should have been shown.

So the odd is that windows 10 didn't ask?

[psguru]

You can find it here attached.

I do have the targets with your folders. Not sure why but we are changing the way this works so there's no point in trying to debug your issue.

So the odd is that windows 10 didn't ask?

I don't know, that why I asked you to check those registry key and Apps and Features. The log I refereed to earlier was the XP log.

[MSpagni]

The log from Windows 10 has lines like this:

Code: Select all

2025-03-26 17:45:21.010   [EDP]: Checking previous installation using Registry key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\ExamDiff Pro 15.0_is1"

It shows that the setup was not able to find previous installations in your registry. I can't verify this but if you want, go ahead and check those registry keys. Also, did Apps and Features show any EDP version?

No registry entry for ExamDiff uninstall.
The App list shows the latest version.

I have a suspicion but I need time to experiment.
Please wait (tomorrow).

[psguru]

Please use the other topic we already have for installation issues.