CUSTOM WINDHAWK SETUP
=====================

Windhawk is not required for the XP Task Pane itself. It is required only for
the complete visual package, including the XP ribbon and selection effects.


Required for the complete visual package
----------------------------------------
Install this mod from Windhawk's catalog:

  Classic Explorer navigation bar
  Mod ID: explorer-frame-classic

Open its Settings and set:

  Explorer style: Classic ribbon UI (no tabs)

Save the setting, then restart File Explorer. The XP Task Pane is developed
and tested against this exact Explorer style. Do not leave the catalog mod on
the Windows 11, modern navigation, or another ribbon mode.

This catalog mod is required in addition to the two custom mods supplied in
this package.

The package contains:

1. Windhawk Mods\1 - Explorer XP Solid Selection.wh.cpp
   - Removes the modern hover/focus treatment.
   - Draws the XP solid-blue selected-item appearance.
   - Preserves the location/view-specific selection behavior developed for
     Desktop, My Computer, folders, Details, Content, and Tiles views.

2. Windhawk Mods\2 - Explorer Ribbon XP Corner.wh.cpp
   - Suppresses the redundant Help/Expand Ribbon corner controls.
   - Draws the exact approved gray plate, seam, white cell, and logo placement.
   - Runs inside explorer.exe and attaches above the ribbon's NetUI renderer.
   - Embeds the approved logo; it has no external asset-path dependency.


Install each mod
----------------
1. Install and open Windhawk.

2. Install "Classic Explorer navigation bar" from the Windhawk catalog.

3. Open that mod's Settings, set Explorer style to
   "Classic ribbon UI (no tabs)", save it, and restart File Explorer.

4. In Windhawk, choose "Create a new mod".

5. Open the first .wh.cpp file from this package in Notepad.

6. Select all of the existing template text in Windhawk's editor and replace
   it with the complete contents of the .wh.cpp file.

7. Click "Compile Mod" or save/compile using the button provided by your
   Windhawk version.

8. Enable the mod if Windhawk does not enable it automatically.

9. Repeat the process for the second .wh.cpp file. Each source file must be
   its own Windhawk mod. Do not combine them.

10. Close every File Explorer window and open a new one.


Ribbon corner
-------------
The ribbon-corner source is self-contained. Its approved Windows logo is
embedded directly in the mod, so it does not read XP DLLs, personal profile
paths, or a bitmap from the Task Pane installation.

It uses a topmost DirectComposition visual attached to Explorer's real ribbon
dock. If Windows rejects that composition target, the same source falls back
inside the deepest NetUI renderer. This replaces the older external/helper
window approach that could be covered by a white native ribbon surface.

After compiling and enabling this mod, restart File Explorer once. The mod
then catches new Explorer windows and rebuilt ribbon docks automatically.


Updating a custom mod
---------------------
1. Open the existing custom mod in Windhawk.
2. Replace all of its source with the newer supplied .wh.cpp file.
3. Compile/save it.
4. Restart File Explorer once.


Removing a custom mod
---------------------
Disable or remove it from Windhawk. The XP Task Pane uninstaller does not
delete Windhawk mods because Windhawk owns those entries.


Important
---------
Do not install old experimental builds from the Source folder or historical
backup folders. Only use the two numbered files in "Windhawk Mods".

If using the complete visual package, do not disable "Classic Explorer
navigation bar" after installation. Confirm its Explorer style remains set to
"Classic ribbon UI (no tabs)" after a Windhawk, ExplorerPatcher, or Windows
update.

This is a first public beta. Custom paths, source edits, unsupported Explorer
styles, and third-party shell combinations are available for experimentation
but are not part of the supported default setup.
