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    • Functions in Windows 11 context menu no longer work after last Windows Update

      T

      For some reason, the PowerArchiver functions in the Windows 11 context menu no longer work after the last Windows Update. Only the functions in the classic context menu function as they should.

      I’ve tried uninstalling PowerArchiver and using RevoUninstaller to remove all bits and pieces that were left behind and did a clean install of PowerArchiver, it didn’t fix the issue. Other items in the Windows 11 context menu work.

      Tech Support
    • File Explorer Shell Extension crash on Junction

      W

      Re: Explorer.exe Crash on right click

      This appears to be happening again with the Power Archiver 2022 shell extensions.

      When I have Use Explorer Shell Extensions enabled in Power Archiver Configuration and right-click on c:\Users\username\Start Menu, (hidden Junction file), File Explorer crashes.

      I have version 21.00.15 (03/2022) 64-bit installed in Windows 10 Version 21H2 (Build 19044.1826).

      Tech Support
    • PA 21.00.18 Action / Test behaves oddly for me on .PA files

      Brian Gregory

      PA 21.00.18 running on Windows 7 64 bit.
      I made a big .PA file and thought I’d check it was made correctly with Menu / Actions / Test.
      Discovered:
      a) PA always issues a UAC prompt to do this!
      b) PA always says there are many errors in PA files.

      Tech Support
    • Functions in Windows 11 Context Menu don't work in some directories

      P

      In the latest version of PA, on W11 (latest build/SP) when you try to use the first level context menu - NOTHING HAPPENS (particularly when you do this from Downloads or Documents folders) - however I noticed that it DOES WORK when you use the context menu from the Desktop. Going to the second level context menu does work however.

      Tech Support
    • Missing virtual driver in Patchbeam

      pirrbe

      PA 2023 22.00.08
      Long time no seeing. So I start up the new year with a first problem : the virtual driver cannot be installed. Reason : it is missing in the Fast Ring PatchBeam Update Service…
      Virtual driver PA 2023-01-28 152607.png
      It seems a standard problem with new releases :-)
      Can I have a link or can it be fixed. Thank you. CU later

      Tech Support
    • PA 21.00.18 testing via context menu causes extraction of files

      D

      When the function for testing archives is invoked via the shell context menu (PowerArchiver > Test) then all the files in the archive get extracted to the current folder.

      The test dialog reports as many errors as there are files in the archive but it fails to give any hint as to which files are supposed to be erroneous or what the nature of the problem might be. Comparing the extracted files to the originals shows no differences at all.

      The .7z in question was produced with maximised compression settings in 7zip (taking forever but resulting in smaller archives than .7z produced by PowerArchiver with maximised settings). Therefore I wanted to see whether PowerArchiver can at least test .7z that it produced itself. Hence I had PowerArchiver convert a .pa with the same contents to .7z. There weren’t any errors reported but the resulting .7z contained fewer than half of the files contained in the .pa (137 of 366), so I scratched that test.

      Performance is abysmal when testing via the context menu (e.g. almost 2 minutes for testing a .7z that 7zip tests in 4 seconds), but that is most likely due to the fact that the extracted files are written to disk. Testing the same .7z in the PowerArchiver GUI takes only 8 seconds but causes the mysterious appearance of a UAC dialog, as reported elsewhere.

      The testing function is vital because PowerArchiver has a history of producing archives that it cannot unpack without errors or that do not conform to the respective file format standards (e.g. ZIP) so that other programs report them as erroneous.

      The point of creating archives is that the files in them will most likely have to be extracted at some point. If the extraction cannot be guaranteed to produce correct results then the whole program is absolutely pointless. Actually, worse than pointless - it causes data loss and hence damage.

      Tech Support
    • Start PowerArchiver 2023 Starter when my computer starts

      Brian Gregory

      In PowerArchiver 2023 22.00.06 configuration, the option labelled “Start PowerArchiver 2023 Starter when my computer starts” seems to be redundant.

      I am only allowed to change this option when PA Starter is disabled, and then it seems to be ignored.

      When I enable PA Starter this option is forced to the enabled state.

      I think it’d be good to remove “Start PowerArchiver 2023 Starter when my computer starts” completely. I’ve always found it confusing having both options.

      Added later: However i don’t particularly want to use queue but I do like having the PAStarter icon in my tray area.

      Tech Support
    • Testing .pa archives

      PA_Fan

      W10 Pro 22H2 - 64 -bit

      PA 22.00.06 (PA 2023)

      It has been the case with previous versions of PowerArchiver, but I had hoped that the latest might behave differently. Not so, I’m afraid.

      I have, for various obscure reasons, created a few .pa archives, mainly in the hope that they will save me some more space. From time to time, I use the “Test” option to check that important archives are OK and uncorrupted.

      With every .pa archive I’ve tested, the process runs through OK but then reports that there are errors. This is always the number of files in the archive e.g. if 11 files, then 11 errors reported.

      In the .pa, I can:-

      preview the files (usually PDF) extract some or all files and look at or use them convert the .pa to a .zip or .zipx archive, which then works fine and tests without errors

      Is it the case that the Test routine isn’t designed for .pa archives, or is there another reason? Although the .pa seems to function properly, despite the test reporting errors, I would like to be sure that every .pa is OK and not “broken”.

      Some of the .pas are quite old and produced with earlier PA versions (they are truly “archives”). If I extract all the files in the old .pa, create a new, fresh .pa and add back the files to that, then test the new, no errors (at least in the .pa I’ve tried this on) are reported. This would suggest a mismatch between old .pas and newer versions of PA itself.

      Tech Support
    • Small UI / Theme bug in 2023

      Z

      Clipboard02.jpg

      See the, supposedly, blank space where the green box is? It’s like that in Modern Light theme too. I can toggle it, but it’s missing text or shouldn’t be there I guess?

      Thanks :)

      Tech Support

    Pgp

    Tech Support
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    • S
      Socrates Banned last edited by

      Is there a site somewhere that fully explains PGP? (I have looked at the PGP site, but I do not find it sufficiently clear.)

      I like the idea of being able to send encrypted files to someone else. I gather, though, that the user must have PGP installed as well. Correct?

      Apologies for my ignorance.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • RJWaring
        RJWaring last edited by

        I can tell you what I know and have experienced with PGP if that helps.

        But to answer the Core Question does the user require PGP as well? “yes” but PowerArchiver 2013 is PGP compatible so they can have PGP or PowerArchiver.

        PGP stands for “Pretty Good Privacy” it has been going since 1991 it known in the industry for Signing , Encrypting and Decrypting texts, files, emails and even entire disk partitions.

        The key difference with PGP compared to traditional Encryption is the ability to authorise access to specific files by user.

        Known as OpenPGP You basically create a certificate for yourself and maybe a friend. Then both you and your friend have those certificate’s locally.

        When encrypting files using that particular certificate it’s coded so without that certificate it can’t be accessed. Even if someone found the password for that certificate they would still need to find that certificate file to open the encrypted document.

        You can set expiry date’s on PGP Certificate’s , revoke access. It’s something i’ve used when working for government facilities.

        PGP was aquired by Symantic and intergrated into their own Enterprise Security Group back in 2010.

        Using PowerArchiver’s PGP is very similar to PGP’s application but significantly less expensive!

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • spwolf
          spwolf conexware last edited by

          Here is how PGP works.

          You create your own PGP key… you have 2 of them:
          1. Public - one that you send to your friends/coworkers
          2. Private - one that is “secret” and you keep for yourself.

          When your friend needs to send you an encrypted file, he adds your public key.

          You get the file, open it up, and you need your private key to complete the decryption… without it, you cant decrypt the file.

          So it is very secure and at the same time, you dont need to encrypt with passwords, you just add your friend and thats it. It is a lot easier this way and at the same time, more secure.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • S
            Socrates Banned last edited by

            Does the key need to be stored (on either computer) in any particular folder?

            BTW, PB was A BIT faster this morning, but still quite slow.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • spwolf
              spwolf conexware last edited by

              you import it into PA Key manager… and export as well… simple doubleclick.

              once your friend has it, there is no need to send it again.

              S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • S
                Socrates Banned @spwolf last edited by

                For the life of me I cannot figure out how to set up OpenPGP to use to communicate with others.

                I have looked at your brief instructions above.

                I need an “openPGP for dummies.”

                E.g., I created a key for myself. when I click on it, it appears there are two keys – I assume one public and one private – but I haven’t a clue which is which.

                I tried sending my public key via email (under export). Nothing happens.

                And I cannot find a PGP for dummies on line. I think it would be very helpful for you all to add something to the help WIKI. I would then try using this feature.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • drteeth
                  drteeth last edited by

                  I am by no means a PGP maven but I am already communicating by encrypted emails. And that is what communication is for me.

                  PA is not the easiest program on which to learn PGP, some OpenPGP key management issues are missing that will styme a new user. They will be added soon.

                  What email program do you use? If Outlook or Thunderbird, your life will be easier. I am happy to help you get set up emailing and can give you one of my emails with which to practice. I have setup Outlook 2010 and Thunderbird 24 so I a) practice OpenPGP comms and b) get to grips with Thunderbird. I don’t use Skype much, but I think one can share screens and that may be helpful.

                  Let me know if I can help Socrates.

                  spwolf 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • S
                    Socrates Banned last edited by

                    Thanks for the kind offer.

                    The export via email did not seem to work. Nothing happened.

                    So do I just email my public key (from off my disk) to anyone with whom I will be sending encrypted emails – and have them to the same in reverse? Then I double click on their key to import it into Open PGP?

                    Then I ASSUME that when I want to send an encrypted email, I should first encrypt the file with PA, using my PGP key? Or can I encrypt the email itself?

                    I, too, am using 2010.

                    Thanks, again,

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • spwolf
                      spwolf conexware last edited by

                      1. Send them your public key via email
                      2. They send you their public key via email
                      3. Then encrypt file to OpenPGP by selecting end users email (it should be listed if you imported it from step 2).
                      4. Send the file via email

                      and thats it.

                      After you do it for the first time, it is easier than normal encryption because you dont have to send passwords, so it is much more secure and convenient.

                      In the future updates, we will add support for sending and retrieving public keys from servers, so you will be able to easily look up public key and send just an url of the key in your emails (usually people put it up as a signature).

                      We will also add integration with ZTE, but later than above. Above should happen in a month or two max.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • drteeth
                        drteeth last edited by

                        One other ‘gotcha’. If you send me an email encrypted with my public key, you will never be able to read it to see what you sent - only I can decrypt it. Be sure to send yourself a copy encrypted with YOUR public key.

                        Socrates, message me here if you need any practice. After you have sent and received a few emails, all should be clear.

                        DrT

                        spwolf 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • spwolf
                          spwolf conexware @drteeth last edited by

                          @drteeth:

                          One other ‘gotcha’. If you send me an email encrypted with my public key, you will never be able to read it to see what you sent - only I can decrypt it. Be sure to send yourself a copy encrypted with YOUR public key.

                          Socrates, message me here if you need any practice. After you have sent and received a few emails, all should be clear.

                          DrT

                          maybe would be good idea to have “default” pgp profile and always include it into the list by default?

                          S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • S
                            Socrates Banned @spwolf last edited by

                            I tried to attach the public key . . . no success.

                            Ideas?

                            I actually created two keys and tried to email it.

                            But it still wanted as PW. I thought the benefit of using PGP was avoiding using PW.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • spwolf
                              spwolf conexware last edited by

                              you have “master” password for your key, so you are the only one that can use it… but it is always the same password as it is only for your key.

                              so when you receive a file, you will open it with your “master” password as long as sender added you as recipient.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • spwolf
                                spwolf conexware last edited by

                                create only one key, you dont need multiple keys.
                                Once you create it, it is stored in the database.

                                click on it, and select Export Public Key… then you can pick name and save it to HDD… you can attach it as any other file.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • spwolf
                                  spwolf conexware @drteeth last edited by

                                  @drteeth:

                                  I am by no means a PGP maven but I am already communicating by encrypted emails. And that is what communication is for me.

                                  PA is not the easiest program on which to learn PGP, some OpenPGP key management issues are missing that will styme a new user. They will be added soon.

                                  What email program do you use? If Outlook or Thunderbird, your life will be easier. I am happy to help you get set up emailing and can give you one of my emails with which to practice. I have setup Outlook 2010 and Thunderbird 24 so I a) practice OpenPGP comms and b) get to grips with Thunderbird. I don’t use Skype much, but I think one can share screens and that may be helpful.

                                  Let me know if I can help Socrates.

                                  you know, it would be great if you have some suggestions for PGP improvements… things like looking up openpgp online directory is already going to be added, but what else?

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • drteeth
                                    drteeth last edited by

                                    The main suggestion would be a ‘PGP for Dummies’ type of guide. For example, the solution to post #10 above is to encrypt any sent emails with one’s own public key too. That way a decryptable copy will be in the sent box. One is not restricted to encrypting with just one key. The best way to experiment with PGP is to send emails to oneself using two different clients and email addresses. Alternatively, finding somebody to partner in experiments.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • spwolf
                                      spwolf conexware last edited by

                                      hopefully ldap support will come in next update… that will make it all considerably easier… we will then make tutorials, both written and youtube.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • drteeth
                                        drteeth last edited by

                                        What is ‘ldap’?

                                        Anybody can PM me if they want to practice this PGP emailing lark :eek:. I am set up for Outlook 2010 and Thunderbird.

                                        Once you get into it, it is not that difficult.

                                        Cheers

                                        DrT

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • spwolf
                                          spwolf conexware last edited by

                                          using directory servers to exchange public keys… protocol is called ldap.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • spwolf
                                            spwolf conexware last edited by

                                            well, it is actually HKS not ldap as we found out. In any case, after few days we implemented it and it works great. It will be in next official release.

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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