Detect when apps that can conflict and alert users

[crutkas]

On startup, we should alert users that there are known apps that can interfere with PowerToys. "PowerToys has detected a known app, APP_THAT_IS_AFFECTING, running that could impact your experience"

I know we have others but from #1943, #1493:

• AutoHotkey
• start10
• Dell Display manager
• Rivatuner Statistics Server (Fancy Zone editor won't start (all versions) #1872)
• Corperate app causing SentryBay [PT Run] System.Runtime.InteropServices.SEHException (0x80004005): External component has thrown an exception at startup #5414

[flatlined]

Came here from #1943. For information, I was and am also running an AutoHotkey script (KDE Mover-Sizer, which allows you to drag windows when using a modifier key, in my case the winkey). At least with this script I have no detrimental effects. I am unsure how you could detect whether an AHK script would be problematic however.

[htcfreek]

We have to add the following tool to the list:

• AutoIt (big brother of AutoHotkey)
• Tool of Nvidia-Driver (name not known) who acts like fancyzones
• capture2text (see Validate for launcher - Window Walker opens when Capture2Text is launched #1976)

[htcfreek]

My thoughts about the Alert.

Generally this is a great idea. But I think we should care about how many warnings we show at all.
If we overstrain the users with to many warnings on every start, they will begin to ignore the alerts.

ALERT:

Layout of the warning message:

• Short info text.
• Button to detailed information within the PT-Settings.
• Button to close the warning.

Information page within the settings:

• A short description.
• A link to the Wiki at Github.
• Table with app's name and a short problem description.
• Page should be only visible when apps are detected.

WHEN TO WARN/CHECK:

• When PowerToys is newly installed, repaired or updated.
• Periodically checking for newly installed "problematic apps".
• Only show warning message for newly detected apps.

Detecting Apps:

• I think we also should check for special versions of the "problematic app" becaues some bugs/problem are related to a specific app version.
• It might be interesting if we could update the list of "problematic apps" via the update function without having to distribute a new PT version.

We also should define criteria for "problematic apps".
For example:

• Apps with special bugs or problematic features. (like AutoHotkey)
• Apps who acts the same way like a PowerToy and can't use at the same time. (Like a third-party FancyZoones-Tool.)

Layout concepts

Best regards.
htcfreek

[crutkas]

SentryBay #5414 blocks low level keys

[crutkas]

needs a quick one pager