The Messages in PSP2023

[Linda Lou]

I am starting a new topic because I am no longer sure that my issue is specific to the 2023 patches.
It appears that the previously unchecked message options becomes checked again automatically on startup. Does anybody have the Windows 11 registry tweak instructions for disabling ads/messages in 2023?

[Radim]

When it happend? After installation of PSP2023 last year or after last update 2?

[Linda Lou]

I installed 2023 last April and had been using it since then.

My original post was in the Update topic because after the August update PSP 2023 would get slow, crash, and would heat up my laptop.
After I contacted Corel Support it was better. They had me clean out the Corel Messages and overwrite the application. Unfortunately, the following day Messages accumulated again each time I ran PSP. That was in spite of my unchecking the options in the UI (Yes, the checkmarks returned each time I opened the application.).

Perhaps my issue was coincidence that the worst of it happened after the update? I ended up cleaning out the Messages after each use. I do not have time to do daily maintenance on PSP 2023 like this, and I do not need reminders to purchase products. Hardware status scans show that the computer is clean with no problems. I expected messages in the trial version but thought the purchased version would be better.

[JoeB]

I don't have PSP2023 (using 2019) and I'm on Windows 8.1. However, I stopped all messages a long time ago by searching the Corel folders in Program Files, Program x86 files and appdata for a fulder named CUH (which is Corel Update Helper). I then deleted all such folders. And, of course, I had also unchecked the options in Message Preferences and selected Do Not Display Tray Messages as well as emptying any message folders. And I have set my firewall to deny internet access to PSP. I haven't had any messages for years. All Corel products scatter CUH in various locations so if you have any other such products the same thing applies Just a suggestion.

[Linda Lou]

Thanks, Joe. I remember doing that with 2018. I also disabled CUH in Task Scheduler for 2018, but it wasn't listed in Windows 11 Pro Tasks for PSP 2023.

I can see the CUH folder containing a lot of .dll files. Did you delete that entire folder and its contents including CUH.exe? I think I'll try just renaming CUH.exe to CUH.old . With all the records being online these days for reinstalling and support, I don't want to delete too much in case there is an uninstaller that I might need someday in one of those folders.

Corel is not listed in my firewall. It's easier if there is an entry to simply allow or refuse. I probably will need the exact name to compose a rule.

[JoeB]

I deleted the whole CUH folders. I think initially I started by simply renaming them in case there was something I needed but eventually just deleted them. I have no idea if things have changed with 2023.

My firewall is ZoneAlarm and it's listed as Corel Paintshop Pro (version number). Maybe yours is listed under Alludo or just Paintshop Pro? Any newly installed program usually automatically appears in my firewall and so I can open the View Files option of its interface, scroll to the program and check or uncheck internet options, etc. If a program doesn't appear there is an option to add or delete any program in the list. I wouldn't know how yours operates I'm afraid.

[Linda Lou]

Thank you for your reply. I worked briefly in PSP today. The Messages folder re-appeared and repopulated.
I have just deleted the entire CUH folder but will leave it in the RB in case something goes amiss.

I use the Windows FW which is a bit different from ZA in that it is not as easy to configure. I had ZA years ago and loved it, but after Windows integrated theirs with their security I removed ZA. Yes, I looked for all the various aliases of Corel, but I'll keep looking. I wonder if PSP has been categorized as an UNWANTED APP by the security people because of this. I can understand marketing in the trial, but after purchasing, all this in my opinion, is unnecessary and does more harm than good, considering how many customers have complained about it over the years. Popups are one thing but when the heat from what is running in the 2023 background crashes the app and tries to fry my laptop that is something else.